Hellooooo...

We have just completed our trip from California to Argentina. We made sure to compile the following information which might help some of you in planning your trip. It is all official as we received receipts for every expense and never had to pay a bribe. In fact, all border folks were very helpful, especially when I told them that we were compiling only CORRECT info for the Horizons Unlimited site. Enjoy.
-------

The following are the official immigration and motorcycle entry fees you should encounter for the following countries on the Panamerican highway (valid as of 2001).

The documents required to cross these borders are usually always the same: passport, vehicle registration and drivers license. Where insurance is mandatory (eg. Costa Rica) you will be asked to buy it at the border. Otherwise, you can drive without insurance in all countries, including the USA (we did).
---------

MEXICO
Immigration: 170 pesos (19 USD)
Vehicle entry: 160 pesos (18 USD)
Note: Credit Card required in the name of vehicle owner for entry into Mexico.
--------

GUATEMALA
Immigration: 10 Quetzales
Vehicle entry: 5 Quetzales for entry form, 30 Quetzales for sticker
Fumigation: 18 Quetzales

Exit: 10 Quetzales immigration
---------

HONDURAS
Immigration: 1 USD
Vehicle entry: (1) 0.50 USD for motorcycle
(2) 20 USD for highway use
(3)120 Lempiras for entry form
TOTAL: aprox. 30 USD

Exit: aprox. 2 USD

---------

NICARAGUA
Immigration: 7 USD (payable only in US dollars)
Vehicle entry: 10 USD

Exit: aprox: 3 USD
-----------

COSTA RICA
Vehicle entry: (1) 10 USD road tax
(2) 11 USD mandatory insurance (1 month)

Exit: under 1 USD
---------

PANAMA
Immigration: 1 USD
Vehicle entry: 4 USD motorcycle
Fumigation: 1 USD

----------

ECUADOR, PERU, CHILE, BOLIVIA and ARGENTINA do not charge any immigration or vehicle entry fees.

Note: NO carnet is officially required for any of the above countries. You might have a bit of a hassle if arriving to Ecuador via Quito airport but if you are patient you will also make it through without the carnet.
------




[This message has been edited by Gonzalo (edited 18 May 2001).]

Soooo all you needed for paper work was a international drivers license, title of vehicle, and a passport??? If so that sounds to easy!!

Well you do actually need your own countries drivers licence as well, the international licence is just a nicety, rarely used but needed. Insurance is bought at the border if they insist.

Add a big dose of patience, a few dollar / cordobas / quetzales / pesos / whatever, and yup, that's it!

It's not rocket science, and this whole international travel thing really isn't as hard or as dangerous as people make it out to be!

So when are you leaving Jeff?

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Aug 1st. Washington D.C. to Portland, down the coastal highway into Baja. And from there, which ever way the wind blows me!