Help!! Paper work for UK Registered bike crossing borders in South&Central America
 

Hi Travellers

I,m taking a uk registered bike to south/central america next year and travelling north I'm starting in Argentina and plan to visit
Chile
Bolivia
Peru
Ecuador
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
Honduras
El Salvador
Guatemala
Belize

Has anyone had experience with crossing any of these borders.
I'm aware that no carnet is required and all of them expect you to have
Vehicle registration
Driving Licence
And some need insurance

I would appreciate any tips and advice. It seems getting insurance for your vehicle in these countries is a challenge.

I've not crossed these borders but my understanding is that it is pretty simple. Have the registration and driving license with you. Insurance is required but can be bought for blocs of countries for example Mercosur. Any visas needed can be bought at the border.

You do not have a problem, so you might as well relax. Where insurance is required, someone will be on hand to sell it to you. You do need to own the bike yourself--that is, be in possession of ownership documents in your name. I'm only mentioning that since you didn't specify, and you seem to be worried about something un-named.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Hi, my wife and i are doing your exact trip two up on an africs twin. The borders have been very easy, in fact the ones in central america have probably been the quickest (we heard these were a nightmare)! We are now in mexico, if you need any advice let us know.

Many borders have zero opportunity for buying insurance. ZERO! So unless you are feeling lucky or wish to be kept out of that country, you need to arrange it before. Buying for a block of countries is one way to reduce risk and inconvenience. Problem arises because while insurance might be mandatory in most countries, it is your problem to get it and there is no requirement for countries or insurance companies to set up offices at remote borders

I'll be more careful with my phrasing: I did not have any such problems in a couple of trips riding through every Central and South American country. I've taken my bike into most of these countries more than once--a total of more than 50 border crossings. No problems in any of them.

When I needed insurance, it was always available. Sometimes I was told by border guards that I needed insurance, but was let through because I promised that I'd definitely buy insurance at the earliest opportunity. Sometimes I did not quite manage to do so, but then again sometimes I did. On a few occasions I had to taxi to the next town, purchase insurance, and taxi back to the border, where I was then allowed entry with my bike.

I'm aware of reports that riders without existing insurance have been turned back at the borders of French Guiana and Argentina, and I have no doubt that such things have happened elsewhere as well. However, nothing like this has happened to me in this region.

I'll add that I've had the same experience in Eastern (non-EU) Europe, Asia, and Africa--when I've need insurance, someone has been present to sell it to me. Sometimes I've needed to find them at home, wake them from afternoon siesta, and wave money in the air. For me, the whole insurance thing has been much more difficult in the USA, Canada, and the EU than anyplace else.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark