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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree1Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Jul 2012
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
Where to rent a (smaller) bike in Nicaragua or Costa Rica?

A friend and I would like to ride in Nicaragua for about 2 weeks this coming Christmas, but I'm having a hard time finding motorcycle rental places there. We could easily fly into Costa Rica instead, although we'd need a place that would allow their rental bikes to cross the border (which is often explicitly prohibited).

We both prefer smaller bikes. My ideal bike is a Honda NX4 Falcon and my friend likes 250s (e.g., KLX 250), but something like the Bajaj Pulsar would also work if those are available. In any case, neither of us is interested in the usual big BMWs or KTMs.

Does anyone here have a rental outfit they can recommend in Nicaragua, or know of anyone with smaller bikes to rent in Costa Rica that we can ride to Nicaragua? The only place I've turned up in Managua by looking online is a place that rents a 200cc "farm bike." That might be OK if it's really the only option, but it seems to me that there might be something else available.
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Jul 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: brussels
Posts: 46
I've used Wild Rider in Costa Rica and can recommend them, good guys. They told me if I ever rented from them again they would let me cross the border, not sure if they will allow it the first time round.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Jul 2012
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
Thanks for the info! Someone on ADV rider said essentially the same thing. Wild Rider is the only place I can find online, too, so it appears to be the only option at the moment. I'm surprised that there aren't more moto rental places down there.
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Jul 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: brussels
Posts: 46
I'm pretty sure the KTM and BMW dealerships also rent out their bikes. Just found this as well:

https://www.mototourscostarica.com/D...f_Rentals.html
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Jul 2012
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
Thanks, Stef, but as I mentioned in the original post we're not really interested in BMWs or KTMs -- their smallest rental bikes are typically 650-700cc. We're looking for something in the 250-400cc range. (For me, even a smaller KTM would be uncomfortable because their seats are really tall and narrow.) Appreciate the reply, though!
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 Jul 2012
SalCar's Avatar
Gold Member, Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Managua, Nicaragua
Posts: 181
We have motorcycle rentals in Nicaragua. Both the Yamaha AG 200 farm bikes and the small Yamaha YBR 125 G. cb160racer I replied to your ADV and replying here for other HUBB members that might be interested in coming to Nicaragua. The website with our information is NI.CA.MOTO Adventure: Home

Last edited by SalCar; 30 Jul 2012 at 14:43.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Jan 2014
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
My buddy and I did our trip in Costa Rica, but we weren't able to cross into Nicaragua due to an incorrect date on the paperwork -- and it was the day after Christmas so there was no way to get it fixed. That's OK, Costa Rica was superb, and we did end up finding a pair of Honda NX-4 Falcons to rent (which was my first choice of bike). The place was motoscostarica.com .

I'm reviving this thread because we're planning to go back in April to finally see a bit of Nicaragua. Does anyone have any good suggestions for finding a pair of smaller rental bikes in Nicaragua for about two weeks? As with our Costa Rica trip, neither of us is interested in big BMWs or KLR650s or anything like that. To me, something along the lines of the Honda CRF250L seems about right. (BTW, SalCar's site doesn't appear to be active anymore.)
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Jan 2014
Peter Bodtke's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 587
it works!

I just tried SalCar's website, its up and running. Nicaragua Motorcycle Adventures — Nicaragua motorcycle tours, training and rentals
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10 Jan 2014
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Bodtke View Post
Thanks, Peter. It turned out to be a firewall issue on the computer cluster I was using. I've been in touch with Salvador, and all is well! I'm really looking forward to riding in Nicaragua.
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 13 Jan 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Posts: 16
Hello Craig,

You can find some nice Hondas to rent in Nicaragua.

Just look here:

Nicaragua bike - your bike adventure in Nicaragua - Bike-Nicaragua, geführte Motorradtouren, guided Motorbike-tours

Cheers Josecito
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Jan 2014
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
Muchas gracias, Josecito! Now I have at least two choices for Nicaragua moto rentals. I appreciate the help.
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19 Jan 2014
SalCar's Avatar
Gold Member, Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Managua, Nicaragua
Posts: 181



We just added the Suzuki DR650 to our stable (brand new)...

Here is also a picture of our current fleet:




Also very important to notice that we support the HUBB as contributing vendor and gold member!

Last edited by SalCar; 19 Jan 2014 at 13:15.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 22 Jan 2014
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
Quote:
Originally Posted by SalCar View Post
Also very important to notice that we support the HUBB as contributing vendor and gold member!
Good point, and I guess I'll be seeing you in a couple of months!
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 25 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 47
Just got back from a month in Costa Rica, the motorcycle choices are booming, and locals are riding far more than a few years ago.

How do you get a rental across the border? I thought the Registration needs to be in Passport Holders name? Private owners need permission paperworkto leave Costa Rica with a vehicle?
__________________
Adventure Travel to Central America, SE Asia, North Africa, EU and USA National Parks.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25 Jan 2014
HU California Meeting Team
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Near San Francisco, California (USA)
Posts: 89
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solohobo View Post
...How do you get a rental across the border?
I believe the general idea is that the rental company provides you with temporary ownership through power of attorney, and they get official government permission for temporary vehicle export and re-import. Something like that. The actual title (not a copy) was among our fairly large sheaf of paperwork, so the rental company needs a great deal of trust or a deposit large enough to cover the potential loss of the vehicle. Plus they need to go through a lot of hassle getting the paperwork done. I know for sure that some people have done it successfully, though.

In our case, the documents were supposed to say that we were permitted to cross into Nicaragua anytime between December 20th and January 20th. The Costa Rican border guard, however, interpreted the wording to mean we HAD to cross exactly on December 20th and no other day. Our crossing attempt was the day after Christmas, so all government offices were closed (and wouldn't reopen until the day we were flying home), and the attorney who drew up the papers was on vacation.

It was a multi-page legal document written in Spanish. I'm sure there was room for interpretation, but I think a major issue was the fact that Costa Rica and Nicaragua are not feeling very chummy right now so the guards apparently look for any reason to say "no," no matter how trivial. That's OK, it meant we "had" to spend the whole trip in Costa Rica -- not a bad outcome in any sense.

But we never did get to Ometepe Island, so it's time to go back!
__________________
Craig Haggart
Sunnyvale, California
'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness' - Mark Twain
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
Selling a Mexican registered bike in Costa Rica ziloc Central America and Mexico 4 4 Mar 2019 15:25
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 19:55
Central America Border Crossing Info nugentch Central America and Mexico 45 28 Feb 2013 21:04
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15
Looking for some help in getting started TotalTomination South America 20 30 Oct 2009 18:02

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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 17:07.