Bruce's last minute/ piece of mind questions for South America
 

Hi
I'm travelling through South America on my bike from Janaury 2008.
Since this is my first, real, proper, outing on a bike in some foriegn country i know I'll have a few questions which I'd like an answer to.:helpsmilie: Some i sort of know the answer to and some more as a bit of a check so I'm not forgetting anything too drastic.

Here's a start.
Question 1.
From memory someone did this recently (yes?) but will I be ok coming in Buenos Aires with a one way ticket? My bike is coming by boat around the same time. Will the bike paperwork be enough to convince them that I won't be staying?

Question 2.
Bike Paper work.
I'm not going to carry a carnet. I expect this to be alright all the way through to Canada..
Apart from the paperwork relating to transporting bike to BA what else do i need to carry.
I have a document that states proof of ownership, which includes details of bike and how long it is lisensed to (Jan 2009).
Insurance? - I get this before entering each country??
International Driver's license.
Anything else?

Question 3.
Visas?
I don't need to apply for Visa's before i leave Australia do I?

That will do for now...
Many Thanks
Bruce.

Bruce you are a crash waiting to happen, call the argentine embassy in australia and ask them about the ticket, visa and so on, then call the chilean embassy..........sorry to sound like an old man but you have to put some effort into your trip, there is no point in having the best bike ang gear and then be stuck in the port for a week.......
good luck
Charlie

No worries in the North
 

If, sorry, make that WHEN you make it to Canada as an Australian with valid vehicle registration and proof of insurance you should have no problems at all.

Having said that I suggest you don't rush too much as you probably aren't wanting to ride in the snow.

Have a great trip.

Rick

Hi mate, here's my experience based on recent trip.

1) I got in fro London on a one way ticket. If they stop you getting on, you could go buy a ticket from BA to Uruguay and get a refund when there,

2) Paperwork you need to show; vehicle ownership doc (thats the main one). I'd recommend having some copies made and use them instead of the original.
Insurance, I only had it in Argentina, you can buy it for about $15 per month, talk to Sandra at Dakar motors for details (She is also very good at getting bikes out of the port). I only had to show it once. It ran out and was asked for it again so showed a travel insurance card and that (plus a friendly demanour) got me through. Was not asked for insurance anywhere else though I've heard of people being asked for it in Columbia.
I didn't have an international licence though wouldn't hurt to carry one.

3) Not sure on Visa's for you Aussies, though for sure you'll need one for Brazil but fairly certain you can just pay for that at the border (check to be certain though)

Haver a great trip mate and don't be in too much of a hurry,

Pete

Kiwi Pete........ " Was not asked for insurance anywhere else though I've heard of people being asked for it in Columbia. "

Pete, I am currently in Colombia......SOAT insurance is required here.......without this and the proper temporary permit for the bike you stand the chance of having the bike confiscated..........
The SOAT can be purchased in gas stations.......can only be purchased for a full year and costs approx $120 US.........

Thanks
 

Thankyou, all, for the information you have given me.
This corresponds to the information I just received from the Argentinean Embassy here is Australia, being that showing onward ticket from Canada is enough. Getting ticket to Uraguay if things do go wrong sounds like a good back up plan - thanks.

Insurance- Will talk to Sandra about that one.

Brazil - As part of my trip getting to Buenos Aires I originally needed to touch down in Sao Paulo, staying over night before moving on. After a lot of hassel trying to get hold of the embassy etc who didn't/couldn't help us we eventually found out you don't need a visa if you are transiting - if it is less than 8 hours. I was told you need to apply for a visa beforehand taking 10 working days which wasn't going to work for me and also a waste of time/money when only staying for 12 hours. Anyway I managed to rearrange my ticket which is now more direct and funnily enough even cheaper than before. (though still more expensive than I expected in the first place, but that's alright..)

If/When I enter Brazil on my bike I will apply for a visa at the nearest embassy before approaching the border. Is this normal procedure? (I know that for most countries I enter I don't need a visa. Just working out now which ones i can apply for visa at the border and which ones I need to get in advance.)

Cheers,
Bruce.

I was stressing about my one way ticket to Argentina too.

I got to passport control and they didnt even ask about my return or even check my ticket. They just stamped 90 days in my passport and wished me a pleasant stay. They didnt ask at check in from the UK or at France either..

Maria41 had problems going from Spain- Colombia though..

As for Argentina, its not a problem at all.

For insurance, make a quick search on forums. I paid mine 28 pesos per month (less than 10 USD), both in Buenos Aires and Mendoza (Liderar). You need to give them an address in Argentina, the address of your hostel will fit perfectly. You need to keep your insurance payment tickets, since the company will give you a paper for one year but the police wants to see the current paid month. Mendoza is the area where you are most likely to be asked an insurance. Some borders demand insurance from vehicules coming from the neibouring border but amazingly not from vehicules coming from other continents.

No need of return ticket. No need of carnet. The most usually checked paper is the touristic transit permit.