Anybody own any proposal for driving from the U.S. to Costa Rica?
How long did it take? Did you encounter any prob's? Was
U.S. currency sufficient along the route?
Answers: I have done it back it but I wouldn't do it again.Way too much trouble and expense.
If you were moving at hand to live and/or work.OR if you were taking 3 or more society with you next there "might" be some proof for taking a vehicle with you.
I still step to Mexico and Central America at least 2-3 times a year but I use public transportation exclusively and find it to be a reliable, reorganized & economical alternative to taking my own vehicle.
You will need to research the requirements of bringing a saloon into "each" of the countries you will be driving in as they adjectives have a different set hoops that you must fly through when crossing their borders.If your Spanish is limited it can habitually be an insanely frustrating experience to understand and/or please some of the police, customs and immigration official you will come in contact next to.
There have be several books written about travel on the Pan American Highway from the US to Panama I would suggest you read at most minuscule a couple of them.
Regarding using US funds.They are usually (In the smaller denominations) accepted for reward but you will likely achieve a bad rate of exchange if they deem it is all that you hold.It's called the gringo duty.
The police in Mexico as in good health as in other countries will appropriate the plates off your vehicle for even a minor parking infringement and will take them to the Cop Shop where on earth they will keep them until you come contained by and pay your fine.
There is no self-serve surrounded by any of the countries and the person that pumps your fuel doesn't win paid much but have learned fifty ways to press the pump or short stick you when checking your oil.but another example of the gringo tax.
Still want to drive your saloon? Did I mention the cash bond that must be deposited next to a Mexican bank at the border to assure that you make tracks Mexico with that same sports car you entered next to. There is also the cost of the additional Mexican insurance that you must purchase and secondary cost of permits from respectively country If you are involved in a automobile catastrophe in Mexico and in attendance is a question of who be at fault the police can hold both drivers surrounded by jail until condemn has be determined.
These are just a few of the things you must deduce about and adopt before you expect about driving.
Finally,your US plates are similar to a beacon on a shadowy night to some population who might be looking to scam and/or separate you from some of your cash or belongings...including your ride..You can't be near it 24/7.
In all fairness, copious people own driven through Mexico and Central America without incident but you must make a contribution equal consideration to what "could" happen earlier making the decision to drive your vehicle... Hope I didn't slay your buzz.
Below is a link to a friends website.He have written about his trips put money on and forth from Guatemala to the US.You might find something of interest in what he wrote.Left side of the page as I remember.*Driving to Guatemala*
First of adjectives, you shouldn't do it.
The roads are bad, you will encounter rebel and others holding guns asking for money "for their cause", corrupt police, dangerous neighborhoods, foremost delays and problems at borders, etc.
US Currency should be fine adjectives the way though...
But you can fly for $100 per direction. it is DEFINITELY cheaper to fly! (Spirit Airlines, from Florida)
Have fun!
don't do that it's unsafe try to fly by plane. it's cheaper than travel by car so i warning to buy a ticket. you need to carry in mind that you'll find some Rebels on your road to Costa Rica but if you want to take this risk ably don't get surrounded by dangerous areas so contained by this way you can be safekeeping of those rebelds. I actually did this once, it is completely long and inconvenient, I'd only do it for the jaunt and if you want to see all the countries on the approach. The roads are almost all diminish 2-lane and range from OK to potholed and funky. I would recommend a sturdy saloon (my friends 1986 Chevy Caprice held up OK). The drivers are kind of crazy (think buses ratification at high speed on near-blind curves, or using the median as a ratification lane and expecting oncoming traffic to move to the shoulder), and there will be animals, drunk general public, etc. in the road. The border crossings are a throbbing, the big busy ones (such as the ones on the lowland Pacific route) are very slow and anarchic and full of crooks and bribe-hungry officials.
There are no longer any war or rebellions on the route, although accept in mind that within the poorer countries law enforcement is species of sketchy.
The best route is through the highlands, its more scenic and interesting, cooler climate, and the crossings are less busy and easier. I would AVOID driving at hours of darkness.
You could do it, and it might be a lot of fun, only make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.
As for duration, I couldnt read out because we visited abundantly on the way, but if you did it straight possibly a week?
Don't do it. You'll ruin the car. The roads are a mess. Well, I never did but wow.
That'd be one heck of a ride!!
It would be better if you didn't. Maybe driving to California or something afterwards taking a plane to Costa Rica would be fine.
The road ARE bad, the bureaucracy is horrendous and, trust me, desperate idea.
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