Need Carnet into Ecuador?
 

I know the subject has been beat and pissed on many times before, but I'm looking for the latest info on getting a bike into Ecuador from Panama via air. I 've read youi need a carnet, but then a few people have gotten the mysterious "letter from Rocco" which seems to make the problems go away. Any news?

Ed

I got the letter, but it probably isn't necessary. A friend flew his bike in a week after me without one and had no problems without one. A customs agency might help, tho. Riccardo recommended Bertha Ibarra - she's right outside of the airport on Callejon Amazonas. She'll ask for $50 but you can talk her down to a lot less (mentioning a connection with Riccardo does not help in this regard.) We were short a title (I'd just met a German couple and one of their titles was robbed) and she still was able to get us through. You might not need this either if your Spanish is good and you are patient.

We took Panavia from Tocumen airport in Panama via Bogota to Quito. You can't find them in the phone book - best bet is to just go to the airport, then instead of going into the cargo terminal go left and follow the fence for about 5km to the back gate, just go in and negotiate. We got $300 plus $50 for HazMat - there are other air freight companies around there also.