Hi guys, Long time reader first time poster,
I've scoured the net for days looking for this information, without much luck so far. On top of that I think I nearly wore google out;

I'm travelling South America, currently in Ecuador and heading south until I get to Chile, and want to start doing a lot more riding so am wanting to ride legally so the insurance I have would actually cover me in an accident, It'd be all be easy if I had a licence from home, but I don't and don't have residency in any South American country, making it hard to get a licence over here.

Has anyone had experience with getting a motorbike licence without having residency in that country? ie: on a tourist visa only? This goes for any country in South America, or possibly even Central as I'd fly back up to do it if it was going to be the only option (choices are thin right now!)

Alternatively, does anyone know of any countries it's easy to get residency (and a motorbike licence) in? I don't really plan on working anywhere, or marrying a local which makes things trickier in the quite possible situation there are no countries here that will issue a licence to someone without residence.

My only other option would be to ride without a licence, which would render my insurance useless, which i'm just not reckless enough to do. or to go home, spend forever getting a licence and come back, not a very efficient option.

Any help, other angles or opinions would be greatly appreciated, Russell.