HOW TO cross the border from Costa Rica to Nicaragua

We had heard a lot of horror stories about getting into Nicaragua: long lines, pussy helpers, lots of paperwork and corrupt border officials. We prepared for the worst. What happened was a pleasant surprise: friendly people, no hassle, no lines and not a single bribe (not even a hint of anyone asking for one).

Getting out of Costa Rica took us 30 minutes, mainly because we could not find the building of aduana. Getting into Nicaragua took us 2,5 hours. A lot shorter than the four to eight hours we had prepared for. And the delay was mainly because of a new computer system.
All in all we would say it was easy! Hopefully for you as well, especially with this ’How To’.

What? Border from Costa Rica to Nicaragua
Where? Sapoa, main crossing on the Pan-American Highway
When? Friday, 28 August 2015
Time? 09:00 - 12:00
Duration? 30 min leaving Costa Rica - 2,5 hour entering Nicaragua
Costs per person with motorbike? $6 in Costa Rica - $32 in Nicaragua
Helper? No, you do not need anyone to help you!


Getting out of Costa Rica

You need: passport, Temporary Import Permit of your vehicle (TIP), a copy of your TIP, a form (you get at the border) and $6.

1. Paying taxes (impuestos) - US$6 - We paid the taxes at the campsite we were staying at just before the border (Finca Caña Castilla), but there are plenty of people at the border where you can pay. You get a receipt that you will have to show later at immigration.
2. Immigration - no charges - (N11.21181 W85.61088) -Fill out a form (a security guard was handing them out). The customs officials scans your passport, takes the form and stamps your passport. If there is no line, this is two minutes.
3. Aduana exporting the vehicle - no charges- (N11.21014 W85.61211) You need a copy of the TIP of the vehicle. A copy at the border costs 50 Colones. The official looks at your passport, stamps the documents, keeps the copy and gives you back the original one and a ticket.
4. Gate - no charges - (N11.21513 W85.61224) At the gate the officials wants to see the ticket from aduana (although this may be different in other case, because one of them also asked for our passports)

DONE

Getting into Nicaragua

You need: passport, drivers licence, vehicle registration, US$32 (2x US$12, 1x US$3, 1xUS5)

1. Form- no charges - Immediately when you enter Nicaragua you have to go to the Ebola Check (see below). When you park there, an official writes your number plate on a form, signs it and hands it over to you. You have to fill this out and use it for importing your bike later. (We call it Form #1)
2. Ebola check - no charges - (N11.21591 W85.61234) Right after entering Nicaragua is a tent on the right hand side of the street, where they check for Ebola. You have to show your passport and tell them where you are from. You receive a ticket. You need the ticket at immigration.
3. Fumigation of the vehicle by IPSA - US$3 (for a motorbike) - (N11.21726 W85.61279) After the Ebola check, you are directed to a park and pointed to the booth where you have to pay. A the booth is a list with all the prices. You can pay in US dollars, in Colones or in Cordobas and you will receive a receipt. They will fumigate using a spray on your tires, rims, and engine.
4. Immigration - US$12 if you enter with a vehicle, US$2 without a vehicle - (N11.21897 W85.61367) Immigration, aduana and the police are all in the same building on the left hand side of the street. One side of the building is for ’entry’ (entrada) and one side of ’leaving’ (salida). However, when I asked where I could enter the country with my vehicle, I was directed to one single booth on the ’salida’ side of the building. The booth mentiones ’vehicles’. You will need to fill our another form (Form #2) with all you details. You can get form #2 from the security guards. The official needs your passport, the ticket of the ebola check and form #2. You have to pay US$10 for a ’tourist pass’ if you want to enter with your vehicle and another US$1,64 tourist taxes, although this will be US$2 because they do not have change. The amounts are mentioned on a sign on the booth and you will receive a receipt. (FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING TWO UP: I am guessing that only one of you will have to pay the US$10 tourist pass) You get 90 days.
5. Aduana checking the vehicle - no charges - find a guy with a blue poloshirt from aduana (DPA) to check your vehicle. Of all the aduana officials, only a few are allowed to do this job, so his colleagues will find him for you. He will want to look into your bags or car. If the check is completed, yet another aduana official will sign Form #1 you received when entering Nicaragua.
6. Aduana importing the vehicle - no charges - In the back of the building is an area with big scanners for luggage. In the corner of that room is a little open office where the aduana registers your vehicle. You need passport, drivers licence, vehicle registration and form #1. All information is registered, a scan is taken from you documents and you are done (this took a long time because the computer system seemed to be new). You get 30 days in the country for your bike.
7. Buying motorcycle insurance - US$12 for 30 days for a motorbike - We tried to get in with our own international insurance, but the police did not accept it. You have to have Nicaraguan insurance. Outside, in the parking lot, in the far corner is a tent where they sell insurance. Different companies, but all the same price. They will need your passport and vehicle registration. You can pay in US dollars of cordobas or colones.
8. Paying road taxes - US$5 for a motorbike - Around the insurance tent is a lady where you have to pay the taxes. You will receive a receipt. The police will not sign the documents without this receipt.
9. Police checking the vehicle - no charges - Find the policeman that will check your vehicle (dark blue trousers, light blue shirt). He will check the license plate, check for insurance and the receipt of road taxes and stamp your TIP.
10. Gate - no charges - An official will ask for your TIP and passport.

Done!

Just smile, keep calm and your are done before you know it. If you do not know where to go, just ask. I met many people willing to help, mainly in Spanish, but probably also in English

Good luck!

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Small bikes, big adventure --> www.amsterdamtoanywhere.nl

That's great, thanks a lot Leonie. How were the other borders? As easy as in South America or more nerve wrecking?

Ride safely and have fun.

Tina

Thanks for the thoughtful and detailed post.

" We tried to get in with our own international insurance, but the police did not accept it. You have to have Nicaraguan insurance. "

Questions about insurance come up a lot. Some riders look into buying insurance ahead of time. Your experience will help users.

Cross from Guatemala to Honduras along the PanAM used to be difficult and costly. I recall it still wasn't cheap in fall of 2012 but it had gotten better organized on the Honduras side.

The same year getting from NI to CS was slightly confusing because we had to find the insurance shack which was kind of hidden in the truck zone...

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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride