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Hints, tips, advice, cautions etc. are all welcome.
BTW, I have been lurking for a couple of days and like what I read so far.
http://www.drivetheamericas.com/
You need the cars original title/registration, and you can only stay in the C-4 Countries (Guatemala/El Salvador/Honduras/Nicaragua) 90 days, or get an extension, the vehicle is in your Passport, so cant leave the countries, with the vehicle. Costa Rica you get 90 days too.
Other than that, keep in mind petrol cost more (budget accordingly), you need to park in secure/guarded areas at night, dont leave anything in the vehicle unattended, know where NOT to go, and get a good guidebook on the region, like Moon, LP or Roughguide.
Keep in mind Oct/Nov is peak rainy season, so dont be in a rush for getting to CR, as Oct into Nov is a mess.
Dont drive at night, gets dark at 530PM, and shoot for border crossing in morning to allow for the formalities and long lines of 1-5 hours.
We do have plenty of time and we are able to stay longer than the 90 days in CR (pensionista).
Fuel price in Canada is now about $CDN1.30/litre
once in costa rica, you have the same problem. there really are no rv parks in costa rica and very few rv's at all. you can often find a hotel or "cabinas" or some kind of lodging that will allow you to park on the premises and use the electricity and water for a fee. but dumping sewage is a whole other issue. of course, if you own property in costa rica, that's another thing entirely.
even if you are legal residents of costa rica, at some point you will have to deal with your vehicle. it will need to be registered in costa rica and you will need to pay the hefty tax, have it inspected and pay the "marchamo." right now, gas is hovering around $5 a gallon in costa rica. it will be less in mexico but can vary from country to country.
Maybe Moon does not have a Central America book anymore, the books in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
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driving to CR
We are planning to drive from Canada to CR this year leaving in October. Estimated 6500 km. The Mexico leg will be along the gulf coast in all likelihood. We have lots of time; plan to be away all winter. Plan so far is to travel in a small (20') motorhome.Hints, tips, advice, cautions etc. are all welcome.
BTW, I have been lurking for a couple of days and like what I read so far.
1
The best info is this website-http://www.drivetheamericas.com/
You need the cars original title/registration, and you can only stay in the C-4 Countries (Guatemala/El Salvador/Honduras/Nicaragua) 90 days, or get an extension, the vehicle is in your Passport, so cant leave the countries, with the vehicle. Costa Rica you get 90 days too.
Other than that, keep in mind petrol cost more (budget accordingly), you need to park in secure/guarded areas at night, dont leave anything in the vehicle unattended, know where NOT to go, and get a good guidebook on the region, like Moon, LP or Roughguide.
Keep in mind Oct/Nov is peak rainy season, so dont be in a rush for getting to CR, as Oct into Nov is a mess.
Dont drive at night, gets dark at 530PM, and shoot for border crossing in morning to allow for the formalities and long lines of 1-5 hours.
3
Great link, thank you!We do have plenty of time and we are able to stay longer than the 90 days in CR (pensionista).
Fuel price in Canada is now about $CDN1.30/litre
4
your biggest problem will be where to dump your waste tank. this could be quite a search. you won't find those kinds of facilities where you are going. i would give this some serious thought and plan accordingly.once in costa rica, you have the same problem. there really are no rv parks in costa rica and very few rv's at all. you can often find a hotel or "cabinas" or some kind of lodging that will allow you to park on the premises and use the electricity and water for a fee. but dumping sewage is a whole other issue. of course, if you own property in costa rica, that's another thing entirely.
even if you are legal residents of costa rica, at some point you will have to deal with your vehicle. it will need to be registered in costa rica and you will need to pay the hefty tax, have it inspected and pay the "marchamo." right now, gas is hovering around $5 a gallon in costa rica. it will be less in mexico but can vary from country to country.
7
As wiremu says, being pensionadas does not (unfortunately) entitle you to import a vehicle into Costa Rica, so you would either have to take it out again or pay all the costs to permanently import it. Its a great trip but its expensive and the inevitable going back again can be a drag....9
Appreciate the weather warnings ... we will be leaving Canada after thanksgiving (Oct) and arriving central america early Nov10
Peak Hurricane season and mountains can be lots of rains.Maybe Moon does not have a Central America book anymore, the books in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
