Valparaiso - assistance after customs?
 

Hi, our 2 bikes arrive we hope on 2 Jan from UK by sea and we would very much appreciate any help or advice on getting the crate from the dockside (after customs) to somewhere close where we can reassemble them. We don´t fancy trying to do this on the spot! Thanks very much in advance!

Hi Sheonagh,
We´re in Valpo having just received or bikes.We´re based at Villa Kunterbunt(no joke) which is in the lonely planet.Enzo,the owner helped(for 80 euro a bike)to get them through customs.As our spanish is pretty ordinary I think it was money well spent.He has helped many bikers with this and has many contacts.Their house has bike parking(secure) and an awesome breakfast inculed for 8000 pesos.We´re heading south before new year,may see you on the road.

thanks very much for that useful info Marcel. It gives us a basis for negotiation with our shipper´s local agent who told us this morning that we must have a "Certificado de Viaje" from the International Police to take to Customs. So we got that at cost of 500 pesos each - very painless. Have you been told you need anything else like a "permiso de circulacion" and insurance or anything else official? Hope to meet up on the road!

8000 pesos for a breakfast is to much, obviously are prices for tourist. Travelling in Chile you will find a complete "almuerzo" (lunch) for 2000 pesos as I get every day close to my office.

Last summer in Argentina is obligatory for foreiner vehicles to have an insurance to go in the country. From this summer here in Chile the same. Ask in any local insurance company.

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Ya verás como quieren en Chile al amigo cuando es forastero (traditional song)

Jose Pedro Espinosa
Curico, Chile

[This message has been edited by DiasDePlaya (edited 31 December 2005).]