Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
ecuador and carnet - still a problem these days? ecuador and carnet - still a problem these days?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America 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



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Feb 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: germany
Posts: 104
ecuador and carnet - still a problem these days?
hello out there,

in summer we'd like take our bikes from bolivia all the way north to colombia.

the last time i travelled in the area (1996), there was a lot of rumours going around about carnet problems in ecuador. we passed through without, but that was a long time ago and seemed to be kind of a random thing; the border handling was rather chaotic.

any recent experience on this one?

good luck to everyone
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Feb 2004
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Taupo, New Zealand
Posts: 194
I left Bolivia for the last time in September and am in Colombia now. No carnet, no problems. All the border crossings (Copacabana, Macará & Ipiales) were tranquilo.

James
__________________
James Courtier
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Feb 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: germany
Posts: 104
thanks, james -

sound good! (to me, there's nothing more nervewrecking than trouble on border crossings...)

good luck
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Feb 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: RTW 2002 - 20??
Posts: 8
Last year (in July/August?) we entered Ecuador from Colombia (Ipiales) and they wanted a carnet. Luckily we were anticipating this and were armed with a letter from the Australian embassy saying that we were in transit, blah, blah... This letter plus a good knowledge of Spanish got us through without a carnet. An American friend of ours was not so lucky - they turned him away at the border (same spot I think).
I recommend getting a document (** in Spanish) from your embassy saying that you're in transit and including all your bike and passport details plus photocopies of all your papers. You should get through OK then.
Good luck!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Feb 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA
Posts: 62
Crossed into Ecuador at Ipiales couple of months ago. No mention of Carnet.

------------------
on the road(almost)
and lovin' it!!
KLR650-A13 'BURRO'
__________________
on the road(almost)
and lovin\' it!!
KLR650-A13 \'BURRO\'
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Mar 2004
tam tam is offline
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: manchester
Posts: 41
Hello all,
Don't know about the land borders but the customs for air cargo is a hassle!

Just spent two day's in Aduana trying to liberate my bike. All of day one getting the permit and day two running back and forth between the well hidden, warehouse and Aduana. Persuading an aduana official to come to the bat-cave with me to inspect the bike and set me free. It's not bent, it's just time consuming. All good now, mind.

Trys.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Apr 2004
tam tam is offline
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: manchester
Posts: 41
Having said that,
I have just watched two friends get their bike out of customs in a few hours with a carnet. It cut through all the hassle and inspections. If you have one, use it. Otherwise, it's still no problem, just time consuming.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Apr 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Hulme or India, this year
Posts: 285
Just crossed from Colombia into Ecuador at Ipiales. No carnet, some problems, not helped by two gringo geniuses on an XT turning up a fornight before and deciding to do one without sorting the paperwork. Customs were double unhappy. Nice work, kids - that border will be awkward for some time now. Twats.

Entonces. Arrive early, and during the week - the main customs office isn't open over weekends - as I found out when I bounced up on Saturday morning, couldn't get the bike in till Monday, couldn't get back into Colombia. The Dakar spent the weekend locked to a lamp post at the frontier.

Without a carnet, you get transit permission. They started at 3 days, I swore and begged and got 8 days and smiled some more and got 15. Since increased to a month in Quito, at the airport aduana, with very little fuss.

None of these problems affect the lucky few who fly in and seem to be automatically offered anything up to 90 days.

No payments anywhere. Slow, but not bent. And beautiful once you're in.

Any more details needed, post here or email me.

Cheers, Dan Walsh
__________________
Que el cielo exista, aunque mi lugar sea el infierno...
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

 
 

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. 11-14
  • 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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 05:16.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top