If you are in CR why don't get you get some work teaching English or something.

You have to remember that if you do not want to be ripped off, then you have to do all the work yourself. It sounds impossible when you do not speak the language, but if you stumble around long enough you will get everything you need to cross which is 99% of the time only an entry/exit stamp and the motorcycle's temporary import permit. It is a very frustrating process to go through (usually takes 3 hours) but in the end you only have a bad headache and are not out $250. The other fees that you have been talking about are all "gringo taxes." Those border runners hang around the borders all day just preying for a rich gringo to come a long.

If you acknowledge a border runner in any way (even by saying "Hi" back to them) then you are on your way to losing the battle. The best method is to ignore them completely and not even make eye contact with them. If they will not leave you alone then tell them to f*** off.

Before you arrive at each border make sure that everything on your bike is locked up and that your paperwork is in your jacket pocket. If you have been using your original title then stop using that and find a place that can make you a good 2 sided color copy to use from now on. When you park your bike try and make sure that it is right next to the building you are going inside and that you can see it from the door.

I am guessing that you are carrying large amounts of cash on you and displaying other signs that are making you look like an easy victim to the border runners. Are you wearing brand new riding gear? Does your bike look brand new? Do you have expensive equipment. Dirty your bike up for the next crossing, where the raggiest shirt you have and hide that new jacket in your pannier. Remember that all these guys are swindlers and if they think they can only get $40 out of you then they will do there best to get that $40, but if they think they can get $250 then they will go for that.

The overall deciding factor in how much money you pay at these border crossings is your determination. It is possible for the richest looking motorcyclist to pay the least amount in border crossings. You just have to temporarily get over that nice guy mentality where you treat everyone with respect and try to set the best example for your country. You only have to act like a jerk towards the border runners who are no good filthy pond scum leaches trying to suck every last dollar out of you because of their advantage with the language barrier.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

you won`t have to pay in South America

i just did it last year ,i paid no scammer helpers any where ,i speak about 2 words of spanish ,no means no ,i paid the mexico costsfor the tourist card and got my refund for the bike,about $40 in honduras and pocket change for the rest ,dunno what you were thinking but i think you were well and truly scammed by those urchins hanging around ,makes it harder each time for the rest of the bike guys when you pay these guys ,not needed at all ,but my nick name is cheap aussie dave for a reason

For the most part I did do most of that, old sweatshirt, money hidden except for fifty to a hundred in my bill fold, had my papers ready. I was using a copy of the title and one of the handlers said the guy new it was a copy and wanted the original and wasn't even going to let me in un less I paid that bribe, of course with five guys standing around watching every move they all see me reach for more money.
Doing it yourself makes sense, no matter how long it takes. I would just like a basic list, from start to finish of what needs to be done to leave a country, and what needs to be done to enter it. And what the basic costs should be. Then I would be more then happy to strike out alone and go stumble around looking for the appropriate window for the task. I do worry about leaving my bike, I can make sure everything is sealed, but I cant lock anything up, I don't have that equipment, granted if I continue to do this kind of travel I probably will invest in a different bike, and equipment etc.But for now just knowing the basics of what is being done, and how much it should cost without a handler is a great help and a place to start.
Its worth noting I was planning on studying Spanish for a month while I was here, so the return trip certainly will be a little easier that way, and also I do plan on contacting the American Consule, and also embassy's of all those countries to find out exactly what the fees are before I leave. Then have those prices with me, and the embassy or consules of those countries numbers with me, and get receipts for everything. To me the handlers are just part of the problem, its everyone their dealling with who are getting kick backs that are in a position of authority that are just as bad and are allowing it to happen.
Anyway all your advise is good, especially just ignore them and don't make eye contact, or perhaps just running them over might be a solution. And be willing to do it all yourself, like I said the one thing I worry about is my bike....be left for an hour or more.... thanks again

Could you elaborate on that? In Blue Moons book about moving to Costa Rica (sorry I don't remember the name of the lady who wrote it) she said it is nearly impossible to get a job here if your not a national born here, ok to start a business and employ Ticans, but even then you can't pay yourself a salary because its difficult to without being an employee. She strongly recommends other options like web based businesses, etc. Where you can live here, run your business from here, but have it based somewhere else. I'm just wondering if you know something she doesn't?
Please comment on where I could find out more about this, usually it takes a degree as well from what I've heard, and I don't have a degree yet.

Hmm I haven't heard anything about it being impossible, I've found several IT jobs on job-sites which seem OK (I don't have a degree either). I guess it depends what you do but I assume it'd probably pretty hard to get something cool such as bar work.

If you have no commitments and a motorcycle then you could ride to an area with lower unemployment or somewhere with lots of Americans so you don't need to speak Spanish.

Also I'm not sure if it's illegal but you can also tutor peoples English, try going to a university and put up notice of your services on a pin-up board or in free local classifieds. Tutoring pays well and you can work your own hours. Please note though that I haven't done any of these thingsm, only a bit of research however they seem feasible.

another thing, how come you're not flying back? Petrol adds huge costs, you could just take your time getting to where you're going then sell your bike to a local and fly back also you won't have to pay for borders twice.

There's a dude on the HUBB who buys bikes in Uruguay, dunno what his offers are like but maybe worth checking out.

I didn't know that you could get a refund for import permits on the way out of the country, but only if you pay cash... Having only crossed one border, US to Mexico, I have only done it once and almost certainly paid with a credit card. Live and learn.

I didn't know that Amex Traveler checks aren't accepted easily. I will be traveling mostly from major city to city and expect that the bigger banks will still except them. I have run into a small bank in Mexico that would not take them. And then there was the time last week that I signed the wrong line on the travelers check! I checked with a bank manager, who disappear for 10-15 minutes and came back saying something in Spanish, but the message was "Nope." I called Amex later and they said to tell the bank to call Amex and they would "make an exception." I'll bet that will take some real arm twisting to get the cash. So much for "Don't leave home without them."

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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

In my opinion, your biggest ally at Latin American boarder crossings (or any boarder crossings for that matter) is preparation. Speaking the language is negligible (other than please and thank you) but knowing what fees and procedures are required ahead of time is priceless.