Hi guys. My plan is to buy a car in California or Arizona and drive down to Costa rica through Mexico ect, ect. I would like any advice on good places to buy quality used cars(under 2000$) as well insurance details regarding a foreigner. I will have an international liscence and I dont want to remain in the U.S for more than 5 days after purchasing the car. Is there some sort of temporary insurance I could get to cover those 5 days, then get Mexican insurance at the boarder. I would like to sell the car in Costa Rica or just give it to some local family who needs it so I dont need to bring it back to the U.S. Also any tips on driving through Gutamala, Honduras, El Salvador. Also if anyone wants to hitch a ride for part of the trip, all enquiries welcome. Thanks
Unless you are doing this merely for the adventure it's an expensive and time consuming way to get to Costa Rica, with a lot of hassles along the way. It's definitely an adventure though. You can get temporary insurance in the states, but it's expensive. It is going to be in ther range of $300 to $600 for one month. I don't think anyone gives you a short term option of only 5 days. I can not say for sure, but including the cost of your car and insurance expenses in each country, bribes at various border crossings, gas, etc. you are probably looking in the range of a $4000 to $5000 trip. Keep in mind too, once you get into Costa Rica it is not easy to sell an imported car without it having all of the taxes paid and registration paperwork finished and that can take time and money. The import tax on even a cheap used car is sometimes almost equal to the value of the car. So you are not going to even break even on most cars you would be bringing into the country, even if you can sell it. Most needy families that you might just want to give it to are not going to be able to afford to pay the import taxes and registration and inspection fees. I just think these are all things to consider before making the trip. Again, it is definitely an adventure though, and if that is the primary purpose for you trip, then I say go for it. Just be aware of the negatives before you start.
As often posted here, you are legally obliged to take the vehicle out of any country you take it in to. It will be stamped in your passport to this effect. Abandoning it or giving it away is not an option unless you have paid all the import duties and received CA plates. You could claim the car was stolen or wrecked but you would need all the papers to show that this was properly reported. Even then if customs chose not to believe you they would charge you the tax anyway.
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