Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 14 Feb 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: seattle
Posts: 8
I never had a problem either, with cops boarders or otherwise. Well one extortion attempt which scared me sooo much I forgot every word of spanish I ever new. Interesting about the Title in Honduras. That was the longest crossing for me, copias copies asked to see the bike, etc etc, but never asked for the title. All I had was a copy so maybe I was lucky. He also cut me some slack when I gave one of the original docs to the bank and only had the 3 copies for him. Possibly it was the fact I had been there two hours and the sweat was dripping off my nose, he felt sorry. As an interesting note, my spanish sucks, and that seemed to help somewhat at the crossings. Seemed the more questions I was able to answer the more questions they asked me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by crashmaster View Post
About CA border corruption. Sure, its there, in some countries, depending on the person doing your paperwork. I didnt have any problems other than a couple of customs guys that just had bug up their ass, just like some of these self important customs people do when you try to come back to the States. You know, the Barney Fife types.

I kind of like going through the CA borders. They are really interesting places full of interesting people living and working there. Its worth your while to talk to some of these folks and learn about what they do and how the system works. And FWIW, I always hire a helper. There are A lot of folks on here that get their panties in a wad and dont want to pay a guy 5 bucks to run the paperwork.

I dont see the big deal. I dont hand the guys my stuff, I just have them lead me around while I handle the paperwork and copies so there is no funny business. I always enjoy talking to these guys and 5 bucks is not going break your bank. But, maybe I'm weird that way. It has always gone very smoothly for me when I used a helper.

Be careful photoshoping bike paperwork. In Honduras, they wanted to see my title. I kept the original title well hidden as I didnt want it held hostage or taken from me, and showed the customs gal a very, very good copy, trying to pass it off as the original. She held it up to the light and said, "no, this is a copy, I need to the see the original with the watermark on it."
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 14 Feb 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 135
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
The lesson being....always do color photocopies and photoshop work on watermarked paper! Simple.


good idea. Unfortunately, she used a reference book that had pictures of titles from every state and it showed what to look for to determine if it was an original.
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 16 Feb 2011
PocketHead's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sucre, Bolivia
Posts: 535
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sime66 View Post
And Pockethead is correct about the Stahlratte... I think... he made me drink so much rum during the boat trip that I have to rely on photos to be sure.
Haha, perhaps I was just trying to liquor you up so I could land another Hitler mustache once you had gone to bed?
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 16 Feb 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by GR8ADV View Post
I never had a problem either, with cops boarders or otherwise. Well one extortion attempt which scared me sooo much I forgot every word of spanish I ever new. Interesting about the Title in Honduras. That was the longest crossing for me, copias copies asked to see the bike, etc etc, but never asked for the title. All I had was a copy so maybe I was lucky. He also cut me some slack when I gave one of the original docs to the bank and only had the 3 copies for him. Possibly it was the fact I had been there two hours and the sweat was dripping off my nose, he felt sorry. As an interesting note, my spanish sucks, and that seemed to help somewhat at the crossings. Seemed the more questions I was able to answer the more questions they asked me.

How many copies of stuff do you need? I'm in Mexico right now, I've got one copy each of passport, title, and that's all I've got actually.
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 16 Feb 2011
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
Quote:
Originally Posted by crashmaster View Post
good idea. Unfortunately, she used a reference book that had pictures of titles from every state and it showed what to look for to determine if it was an original.
This is actually kind've scary. A lot of people don't bring titles, and a lot of localities don't even issue them. Plus there are all those who travel on forged documents (although you didn't hear it from me).

I still don't understand why some people never seem to need to present a title (me), or why others often do. I thought we'd more or less settled on a difference in terminology as the explanation, but I suppose not.

To the previous poster, whenever you need copies there'll be someone nearby with a copying machine ready to serve you. Whenever I try to get ahead of the curve I end up with a stack of crumpled, mangled, rain-spotted copies which no one will accept anyway. It's not worth worrying much about.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 16 Feb 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 135
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
To the previous poster, whenever you need copies there'll be someone nearby with a copying machine ready to serve you. Whenever I try to get ahead of the curve I end up with a stack of crumpled, mangled, rain-spotted copies which no one will accept anyway. It's not worth worrying much about.

Mark
Funny about the copies, I have been there, done that. More times that I should have. I'm a slow learner sometimes.

Before my trip, everyone told me that I would not need a title. The first time I had to have it was at the El Amatillo crossing in Honduras. I never offer to show my title and would not show it just to see if I really needed it or not. I can say for sure at El Amatillo, I needed it. Maybe she was very disappointed that I had it because then she couldnt hit me up for a mordida? Who knows.

I needed it twice entering Argentina, once in Chile, and also at Foz do Iguaçu in Brasil.


Maybe I could have talked my out of needing it a couple of times, (except for in Honduras) but it became too easy just to bust out the title and be on my way.

I carry a few titles BTW, all of them from the state and legit, but only one is good for selling the vehicle as the others were, "lost."
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 16 Feb 2011
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
UK title/registration doc/logbook & licence

Colour photocopies of a UK reg doc (title) were all I ever had to show from Argentina to Mexico. (I kept the original in a waterproof envelope thing).

Colour laminated copies of my UK driving licence were all I had to show everywhere except one Central American border (can't remember which), and once in Santa Barbara CA, where I was stopped for having a UK plate - the cop had never seen one before, but managed to spot that my licence was a copy. So I dug out the original from the waterproof hideaway.

(Your experience may include jail time etc etc...)
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 17 Mar 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chester, UK
Posts: 137
Hello again,

Well, I can now answer my own question. Since my last post I told my family our plans to cut short our trip and they said that they'd cover our transport home from the US. A call to my boss bought me two extra weeks leave and so now I write this post just south of Nogales, Mexico and about to enter the US tomorrow.

Central America was brilliant. Out of necessity we only saw a couple of 'highlights' in each country and we missed out El Salvador and Belize altogether, but we got a good taste for each country we visited. Likewise, we gunned it through Mexico, especially the northern half (quotas...), but we got a taste, which is better than nothing.

All in, we made it from Panama to the US in 22 days. We had only 3 non riding days, but still saw a fair bit - we just woke up early each day, rode a few hundred KMs to somewhere we liked, then either stayed there, or if there was time, just kept going until it got dark.

I'm very glad we did it and we were pleasantly surprised with the borders and the cops. We were stopped only once in CA for a routine paperwork check. A few more times in Mexico, but again just for papers - nothing underhand. The borders were a breeze; we spent no more than 2 hours at a single border and did not use helpers. This even with us crossing at every hour of the day - lunch time, mid afternoon and the end of the day. We don't know why other people have reported problems. We only guess that it is because of a complete lack of any Spanish or a complete inability to follow a very simple process.

Anyways, all's good. If anyone else faces a similar quandary and reads this - go for it!

Cheers
G
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 17 Mar 2011
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
Quote:
Originally Posted by garmei View Post
We don't know why other people have reported problems. We only guess that it is because of a complete lack of any Spanish or a complete inability to follow a very simple process.

Good to hear you're having a good time. Other reasons might be because they have "heard" of alleged problems (5th hand a.k.a Chinese whispers) or like telling "horror stories" because they think it makes them sound important or have seen it on Fox News.

The HUBB is a good place for finding out real/accurate information.

Please keep on sharing with us.
Chris
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 17 Mar 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: antigua,guatemala
Posts: 216
Quote:
Originally Posted by garmei View Post
We don't know why other people have reported problems. We only guess that it is because of a complete lack of any Spanish or a complete inability to follow a very simple process.

Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Tyre sizes in S-America / Central America (generally) Bjorn Central America and Mexico 4 4 Dec 2009 02:23
States - Central America - South America Alanissy Travellers Seeking Travellers 14 15 Mar 2009 08:15
USA - Central America - South America erider Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 12 Sep 2008 03:52
Hey guys, I´m riding South America right now and just made 3 new posts on my website. gatogato South America 5 11 Jan 2008 10:46
Central America to South America CT Bob Route Planning 0 1 Apr 2005 23:41

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:36.