Central American border crossings
 

Hey folks, anyone out there with any info on border crossings,corrupt cops, etc..., in Central America? All info that I find in searches seems to be dated, maybe time for a new thread on this one. I'm hearing a lot about corrupt cops in Honduras, and a bitch of a border crossing to get in there too. Any recent experiences at all for there or any other CA, send them on.....

Hey Mick,
We're crossing into El Salvador in 2 days from Guatemala and have friends crossing into Honudras from Guat. tomorrow. Will keep you posted. Which way are you heading?

Honduras
 

I crossed about a week ago into Honduras. Took 5 hours to get the paperwork and first corrupt cop was within shouting distance of the border. Within the 140kms across the country I was stopped 5 times. The game is that they ask you to produce your paperwork, when you do. The invent an infringement - No warning triangle or such. You don't get your paperwork back until you cough up. What I did was just wait them out and play the dumb gringo bit. All up the crossing cost me $2 in "fines".

No doubt that it is a beautiful country with its fine points, but the hassle from the coppers does sour your views.

Regards Ben.

Northern routes through Honduras are free of corrupt cops, at least in my experience. Along the normal southern route, 5 stops isn't bad at all.....

Most of them do pack it in during torrential rains, so you can actually make better time puttering along soaked to the skin. Some sit around bored under nearby trees, so you need to practice not noticing them when, belatedly, they jump to their feet and try to wave you over. Others go home, wherever that is. But under most circumstances you just need to leave extra time for the obligatory dumb gringo act.

And remember: they really have no interest in keeping your documents, even if you give them the genuine ones (not recommended). They want your money. Unless you show signs you're going to pay them off (not recommended), they'll give your documents back and wave you on your way in disgust.

Mark

Copan is a great place to cross in Honduras.

I only got one ticket with extensive exploring all around Honduras in the capital. It was for smoking while driving. lol The cop pointed to the fuel tank.

Talked my way out of a ticket in NIC and had to pay a bribe in CR.

Crossing from MEX into Guat was hard as well as the crossing into CR.

Everyone has different experiences. The Mexico/Guatemala crossing at La Mesilla took me all of 30 minutes IIRC. Honduras at El Amatilllo took 1.5 hours, not bad at all and I didnt pay anything to anyone other than the standard $35 aduana fee. The cops in Honduras along the Pan Am left me alone, completely.

I had no problems with the CA border crossings, so its difficult for me to comprehend when people say they are a nightmare. I did have a little issue with the aduana guy in CR, but I think that morning someone pissed in his Cheerios. Yes, the borders can be a PITA because of the procedures, the endless copies, signatures and stamps, the crowds, the heat, the speed (or lack of speed) at which everything happens, but its really not bad at all, and all part of the experience.

Just kick back, relax and dont let it phase you. I actually have a bit of fun smokin and jokin with most of the folks that inhabit those borderlands. Just relax and go with the flow which is slow, :-)

For reasons which continue to perplex, some people attract misfortune of all sorts while others do not. Presumably it's mainly attitude; what Vince considers an opportunity to kick back and relax others view as unmitigated hassle, as a result of which they get all wound up and eager to post terrible stories on internet forums. I seem to fall somewhere towards the Crashmaster end of the spectrum myself: I didn't exactly look forward to the Central American borders, but neither did I find them that difficult. Same with the cops, generally. And none of it was even in the same league as other places I've been for corruption, difficulty, fearsome-ness and all-around moral decay.

Or maybe it's the stickers. Maybe the hassle is a function of HUBB stickers on panniers and the absence of trouble a direct result of ADV stickers instead (me, I've got both). This would be worth some empirical research. If there's someone out there with fellowship money, I happen to be available these days.

Mark

Ok, we just crossed from Guatemala into El Salvador at the Anguiatu border crossing - Sun. Nov. 14th, 2010 - arrived at the first official at 9:30am

Guatemala Side:
Aduna inspection (out on the road) - vin and SAT verified. Had to make a copy of the document after it was signed with the SAT sticker pasted on the back. Copies cost US $0.75c
Aduna (in the office) - SAT cancelled and copies of passport, registration, drivers license needed. I had these.
Migracion - passport stamped
Total time 30mins

El Salvador Side:
Migracion - The official said that an entry stamp in our passports was not needed, however I insisted and didn't want any problems when we exited, so he relented and stamped us in
Aduna - also wanted copies of passport, registration and drivers license and a copy of the page of the passport where we were stamped out of Guatemala. Official made this copy.
Aduna inspection - all details on the vehicle verified.
Total time 90mins - however we were joking around with the guards and officials and taking photos, so it could have been done quicker.
We were stopped about a km after the crossing and our import docs were checked and verified with the bike, stamped, signed and we were let on our way.

Total time at both borders - 2hrs
Total cost for exit from Guatemala and entry into El Salvador - US $0.75c

This is in response to Mick's original post and maybe a mod. could move this to a data base type of thread where it is constantly updated with most recent info.
Daryll

Hey there Daryll, good to see ye got over so easily to El Salvador. I'm going that way maybe tomorrow or the next day myself (in Antigua now, may or may not hang around...). It's the crossing into Honduras I've heard is a bit of a nightmare though, 5 hours for an Italian friend of mine on a vespa. 5 also seems to the magic number for stops by corrupt cops in Honduras, as he got the same number there too... Well, anyway, f**k 'em, not a big fan of corrupt cops, and as I've not paid a dime to any yet on my travels, I'm gonna try and keep it that way. More beer money for the big end of my trip, eh! jeiger

Yes, this should be made into a serious thread too. Maybe make a new sticky admin! South too..... :thumbup1:

Oh, cheers for the detailed post on the border Daryll, that is what we need more of. Of course things can always run a bit different, but good to have a guide.

Its worth doing a study. If someone has some money I am available as well to do the research when I head back north.

To the OP. dont worry about the cops in Honduras. Dont be intimidated. I just open my wallet with nothing in it and tell them that the last 4 corrupt cops took all my money, so if they want any, they can talk to them. Unless I royally screwed up big time and they caught me, I will not pay.

I ccossed from Honduras into Nicaragua today on CA1, very easy! I was on my way in about 1 hour

Hey Crashmaster, I've gotta say I've no fear of them, I just don't like hanging around in the heat with all my gear looking at them. But that's a good line you have to say to the cops, how do you say that in spanish please....... :thumbup1:

A little while ago I made a post about border crossings in Central America in April/May of 2010. Just search my name (scrabblebiker) and you should be able to find it. My experience was almost entirely positive will all the crossings, some of them twice.

...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

GT to HN
 

We crossed (2 BMW F800GSs) at the Northern Crossing (Corinto) 2 days ago.

Guatemala Side (the building is quite a ways from the actual border):
Aduna inspection (out on the road) - vin and SAT verified. Needed vehicle documents recieved when entering GT and passport. Kept documents and stamped passport.
Migracion - passport stamped
Total time 30mins

In between borders there was bridge construction, which set us back 1.5 hrs because we had to wait.

Honduras Side:
We were told to do Aduana first but the girl was on her break so we went to Migracion instead
Migracion - Had to pay 3 USd (there was an official poster stating so and we got a receipt). No stamp only the receipt stapled in the passport.
Aduna inspection - all details on the vehicle verified and pay 35 USD
Aduna - copies of passport X2, registration X2 and a copy of the page of the passport where she put a stamp for our bikes. 1 lempira/copy at the border.

Total time 90mins - The migracion guy gave us a bit of a hard time and the Aduana girl was quite slow. Also the walk to the photo copy place is a little far.

Total cost for entry into Honduras - 3 USD for person 35 USD for bike

There is a police check once you leave the Honduras border area. He didn't want to see any papers he just wanted to know how fast our bikes could go.

This is a picture of an information poster at the Honduras border. Read it and have a chuckle over the litteral translation for digitizing the copies of your documents :oops2:
http://www.pixcelgallery.com/d/59387-6/100_4683.JPG Click on it and it gets bigger to readhttp://www.pixcelgallery.com/viewphoto.php/id/59388/sid/7

All clear now ?
( I forgot how all this posting of pictures stuff went but will be taking a refresher course this week, will see if I can get the pic to show here.Till then click on the link and have chuckle)
http://www.pixcelgallery.com/viewpho...id/59388/sid/7

Mick,
We are in La Libertad, Hostel La Sombra at Playa El Tunco, 100 yards from the beach. Will be here for 2 days and looking for some company to cross into Honduras.
Daryll

Look amigo, dont pay. It probably takes longer to pay than to stand your ground and not pay actually.

You dont need any Spanish at all. Open up your empty wallet and while you show it to them point behind you and just say "policia" or "corrupcion" and look disgustipated. They get the idea.

That is a cool little surf village black sand and big waves.
Cheers to you two.
Cal

About a month ago crossing elsalvador to honduras I let my paperwork out of my sight and ended up at the cargo building and paid $270 to cross. So the lesson is dont let your papers get out of sight and do not let anyone tell you that your bike is cargo.
A similar thing happened in miami flying the bike from Bogota columbia. I went to the customs area that did cargo in miami and was told i would have to pay a broker to get the bike in. Went back to the airline and was directed to the personal effects area at customs office. Went back to customs personal effects and was stamped in with no broker and no outlay of cash.
Bill

Hey Daryll, how goes El Salvador?? I won't be hanging around myself man, I get in tomorrow, may spend the night up the hills on this ruta de flores, or quite possible keep on going and get to Copan in Honduras in the same sitting. From Copan I'll be hitting Santa Rosa on to Marcala, then on through the capital to Nicaragua by thursday or friday, first stop Leon. I'll probably spend the weekend there, may see ye there if that's ye're route. Let me know what the craic is!
Crashmaster, I won't be giving them a dime, was just curious as to how many stops I'd have to make for the ****ers....

Bill, what the hell happened to you at the border, I don't quite get it.....??!

I crossed today from Nicaragua to CostaRica on the CA1, took 3 hours, but no problemsat all.

Cal,
Stayed there based on your recommendation and it was great. :thumbup1: Thanks.
Daryll

El Salvador/Honduras & Honduras/Nicaragua Borders
 

Hope someone can benefit from these notes. We crossed on Thurs. Nov. 18th, 2010.

El Salvador/Honduras:

1. Crossed at the El Amatillo crossing.
2. Arrived at the border at 8am.
3. We did not use any helpers and after hounding us for a while, realized that I spoke Spanish and left us alone. All officials were extremely friendly and I just asked for directions each time.
4. A truck load of helpers followed us into the border
5. By-passed all the tucks lined up and got stopped by the customs officials at a little booth by the roadside. They checked the VIN #'s and canceled our import permit. Had to make a few copies of the canceled permit at the copy place right next door.
6. Ride 3km ahead to the Migracion office. We parked the bikes right in front of the window. The El Salvador and Hondurs windows are next to each other.
7. El Salvador Migracion - looked at the passports, noticed that I had an entry stamp valid for 90 days and said that there wasn't anything needed and passed it on to the Honduras official.
8. I walked over to the Honduras window. Paid $3 each in US currency for the piece of paper that acts as a receipt I guess as well.
9. Ride across the bridge; however a guy checks to confirm the canceled import permit before you cross the bridge.
10. Cross the bridge for the Honduras Aduna paperwork. I used the window with the shortest line-up in the building with the arch straight ahead. 3 copies of passport, registration, license, canceled import permit needed. There are several copy places around. I had most of the copies, all up, cost of all copies came to $1.
11. Lots of paperwork filled out. Sent to the bank across from the Aduna and paid the $35 in limpera's per bike at the bank. There are several money changers around.
12. Go make a few more copies and return to the Aduna, each time, I skipped the line-up and went directly to the window and had no hassles from the people waiting in the line as they knew I was there previously. All done. Total time 2hrs, total cost $38 p/p + $1 in copies.
13. In Honduras, there were 8 checkpoints, we were stopped at only 3 and where asked for documents at only 2 of the 3.
14. No bribes paid, and a few minutes later, as all my Spanish had disappeared, we were let go.

Honduras/Nicaragua:

1. Crossed at the El Guasaule border crossing and crossed at 2pm.
2. We were fortunate, the heavens opened up as we got to the border, so all the helpers ran for cover and left us alone. Again no helper used.
3. Paperwork checked and stamped a few meters away from the office.
4. Honduras migracion and aduna a few windows apart. Both these took all of 5 minutes. The Honduras official retained the original of my Honudras import permit, and therefore don't have proof of cancellation.
5. Ride pass more trucks to a military checkpoint. They were taking shelter from the deluge and just waved us on to the office.
6. Nicaragua migracion - $12 p/p paid in US currency. Another piece of paper and a receipt of payment.
7. Aduna is down the hall. No cost. No copies needed. Copy of import permit is give back to you.
8. There were several people trying to sell us insurance at US$12 per bike for Nicaragua and we were told that there is a police checkpoint as you leave the border. We decided to take our chances without Nic. insurance. There is a checkpoint as you leave the border, and the guy checks the import permit, another guy checks passport and the receipt of the $12 paid. We rode to Chinadega for the night and did not pass a single checkpoint.
9. Total time at this border - 1hr. Total cost $12 p/p.

Sorry for the length of the post, but hope it can be helpful to someone else.
Daryll

Thanks for doing this. I, for one, will make use of this.

+1 on the El Salvador/Honduras crossing experience.

I think it need iterating that you *DO NOT NEED HELPERS*, one actually picked us up from the Gas station before the boarder and followed us all the way into Honduras (for over an hour). We just asked the officials where the next office/booth was. We ignored all directions from the helpers.

Jean finally snapped when 6 of them followed her into the small phootcopy office and told them to "F*** OFF" when they pointed at the photocopier and said "Photocopier".

The lady in the Admin Office seemed happy that we insisted on communicating with her.

Remember, you have been crossing borders since either Mexico or Argentina, and it is *exactly* the same process. So, why pay someone to potentially bump up the cost and spoil your day, they are not experts *YOU* are. One of the "helpers" touting for our business was insisting we had to have our passports stamped on entry (with a small fee to himself for arranging it), I had to explain the CA4 agreement to him.

All the border officials know about and understand the CA4 agreement, and there are posters at the Honduras border about it.

On the Insurance issue, we differ here.

If the insurance is available and appears mandatory we feel it should be purchased, as we would not be happy to be involved in an accident with an uninsured person in our own country, and after all it is *only* 12USD. That is about the amount we spend on a gas tank top up !