No carnet required in Central America
I live in Panama and have done two trips through all of central America (except Belize) in the last year (as recently as last month). The carnet is NOT required anywhere in central America. AAA is wrong about Costa Rica.
Every border crossing requires original title document, drivers license, and passport. You will need copies of everything, and sometimes a copy of your passport showing the immigration stamp.
Insurance is required in a couple of countries (Costa Rica for sure, don't remember which other), but is cheap and available at the border.
I usually used a "helper" if I wasn't familiar with a particular border crossing (I'm fluent in Spanish). I would just tip them about $3 (only had one complaint). I would pay a bit more if there were long delays and they worked hard. It was worth it just to have them show me where to go, and to get the rest of them to leave me alone. NEVER give them your documents... just follow them from place to place. Agree in advance that they will work for a tip.
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Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama
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