Leave Bike in Costa Rica
 

We want to leave our bikes in Costa Rica for about one year. Does anybody have actual informations, if there is a problem? Do they stamp the bike in the passport by entering Costa Rica?

Thanx, Tobi

Tobi,

I just went through this process. I left my truck in storage in Costa Rica while I flew away for 2.5 months.

here is what I have learned...

In theory, you should be leaving your vehicle in "government" approved storage area - there is one right next to the airport.
The idea is that will prove that you are not selling your vehicle and leaving without it. Also, by doing that you can change the status to "Suspended" and when you come back you restart the permit so you don't loose any of your 90 precious days.

However...

When I put my truck in storage, the clerk made a mistake and changed the status to "Canceled" instead of "Suspended". When I got back, it took me 2 days to sort out the whole thing and it was extremely frustrating.
You can read more details here:

Panamericruiser - An Overland Journey through the Americas - Stage 1 - Page 12 - Expedition Portal Forum

Also, to my surprise they did not check anything at the airport when I left - the custom guy did not even had a computer or put a stamp in my passport. They did not put a stamp like in Panama for the vehicle either.

So if I were to do it again, i would just left the car at a friend's place or in hotel, unless you really need to preserve all of these 90 days.

But in your case, if you leave for a year you will have a problem because the 90 days will be passed.

let me know if you need more details

Hi Toby, I live in CR, the bike are registred in CR or in another country? Is better (and cheaper) if you find someone who keep your bikes in a safe place, anyway, if the bikes are registred in other country, only you could drive it in CR.

Sorry about my english and if you need any help, contact me.

Oscar.

Costa Rica: Bike Stamp in Passport?
 

Hi Oscar

Thank you for your answer. Our bikes are imatriculated in Switzerland. The plan is to to leave the bikes at a private lodge.

The question is, if we will have problems leaving the country without our bikes and come back to Costa Rica one year later. Will our bikes be stamped in our passports?

Would be great if someone has information about this.

Thanx, Tobi

Hi Tobi let me ask the customs office and I am write about the issue, if you nedd to contactme my email is brenes.oscar@gmail.com

Thanks

Oscar.

You problems would be as follows, if you leave the bike near the airport and leave, your permit will expire, if you can suspend the permit in San Jose the bike will have to go to a government compound.
If you could find a place to leave it in no mans land at Pasa Canoas you could close your permit and get a new one when you return.
Costa Rica do not stamp your passport but if you fall foul of their regs it is hell