Costa Rica - Nicaragua - Panama

[harry1153]

Hey everyone,
I just discovered this site a few days ago and have spent hours trawling through the amazing amount of knowledge and advice you guys have here, such a great site!

Ok basically, Im a 19 years old student, who was planning on doing a backpacking/bus trip holiday this summer, but after watching films like motorcycle diaries etc i have become hooked on the idea of a motorbike trip. It seems like the ultimate experience that i will remember for ever, however i have very little experience or know how about motorbikes.

But i wanted to get your advice, i'd like to spend about 5 weeks around mid-august to mid/end september flying into costa rica, travelling up through nicauragua, back through costa rica and just over the border to panama to see Bocas, then back to costa rica to fly out.

I've never motorbiked much before, (I have scootered around thailand but im sure thats nothing like a real bike at all) and i wondered a) is this achievable/sensible idea and would the roads/conditions be ok for biking at this time of year (wet season) b) how easy would it be to buy a cheapish bike in costa rica and would i be able to sell it for at least something at the end of the trip? or should i rent instead? d) are the border crossings ok to do by bike? are there big fees or bribes you need to pay to cross over? e) do you have any general words of wisdom for me?

thanks alot guys! i can't wait to hear from you all!

[SalCar]

Originally Posted by harry1153

Ok basically, Im a 19 years old student, who was planning on doing a backpacking/bus trip holiday this summer, but after watching films like motorcycle diaries etc i have become hooked on the idea of a motorbike trip. It seems like the ultimate experience that i will remember for ever, however i have very little experience or know how about motorbikes.

But i wanted to get your advice, i'd like to spend about 5 weeks around mid-august to mid/end september flying into costa rica, travelling up through nicauragua, back through costa rica and just over the border to panama to see Bocas, then back to costa rica to fly out.

I've never motorbiked much before, (I have scootered around thailand but im sure thats nothing like a real bike at all) and i wondered a) is this achievable/sensible idea and would the roads/conditions be ok for biking at this time of year (wet season) b) how easy would it be to buy a cheapish bike in costa rica and would i be able to sell it for at least something at the end of the trip? or should i rent instead? d) are the border crossings ok to do by bike? are there big fees or bribes you need to pay to cross over? e) do you have any general words of wisdom for me?

thanks alot guys! i can't wait to hear from you all!

Hi Harry,
My first thought is to tell you to learn how to drive a motorcycle and then take an adventure like that. you are still young and no need to take unnecessary risks. many novice riders have gotten into accidents and have had serious accidents when coming to Latin America. Having said that here are the answers to your questions:
a) you can bike all year long. the rainy season makes it more complicated, more dangerous and you won't be able to ride many dirt roads.
b) if you are buying a bike get a enduro chinese motorcycle for 1,000-2,000 dollars. if you where to rent a bike for that long you'll spend approx the same. the benefit of buying the bike is that the paper work will have your name and save a lot of hassel at the border crossings.
c) what happen to C?
d) boder crossing are a headache but nothing to be worry about.
e) see above.


good luck!
S.

[ab-dk]

Originally Posted by harry1153

Hey everyone,
I just discovered this site a few days ago and have spent hours trawling through the amazing amount of knowledge and advice you guys have here, such a great site!

Ok basically, Im a 19 years old student, who was planning on doing a backpacking/bus trip holiday this summer, but after watching films like motorcycle diaries etc i have become hooked on the idea of a motorbike trip. It seems like the ultimate experience that i will remember for ever, however i have very little experience or know how about motorbikes.

But i wanted to get your advice, i'd like to spend about 5 weeks around mid-august to mid/end september flying into costa rica, travelling up through nicauragua, back through costa rica and just over the border to panama to see Bocas, then back to costa rica to fly out.

I've never motorbiked much before, (I have scootered around thailand but im sure thats nothing like a real bike at all) and i wondered a) is this achievable/sensible idea and would the roads/conditions be ok for biking at this time of year (wet season) b) how easy would it be to buy a cheapish bike in costa rica and would i be able to sell it for at least something at the end of the trip? or should i rent instead? d) are the border crossings ok to do by bike? are there big fees or bribes you need to pay to cross over? e) do you have any general words of wisdom for me?

thanks alot guys! i can't wait to hear from you all!

I just want to tell you that there is a tax on mc in costa rica that makes them about 60% more expensive then the US, so maybe it was better to start your tour in another contry and then leave from costa rica. Have a nice trip!

[rich81]

Hey Harry,
First thing I want to say is way to go man. Go for it! But as was already advised, learn to ride FIRST. You didnt say where you are, but if your in the US you could start with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course. Its a good course and teaches you the fundamentals. Then take a dirt riding course. Riding on the dirt is a completely different thing than on the street. You really have to know how to handle sand, gravel, water, etc, before you go on a long trip like this. Learning to ride in the dirt BEFORE you start is really important.
Good luck Harry.
Rich81

[charapashanperu]

Harry,

Like the others said: Plan well, learn the necessary, then GO FOR IT ! My son Luke took his first trip this past summer. He turned 17 on the trip !



He had his first drink at Norton Rat's Tavern in Cuzco, Peru. Then the guys threw him in the fountain in the middle of the plaza at MIDNIGHT (winter in June there!) I'll tell you, that was a trip he will never forget (10,000 km on a dirtbike) ... But he did have an accident (that COULD have turned out VERY bad) because of his little experience.

You might like to read about someone near your age doing something like this: Around the Block 2007 | Luke's email is on the site, and I'm sure a few questions directed at him would make his day...

If you are going to cross borders, the moto MUST be in your name. LEARN Spanish, that is almost as important as learning to ride!!!!

Toby (charapa)

[pappy]

I have a 100GSPD at the BMW dealer in Costa Rica. it is for sell. It is set up for this type of touring. The bike was prepared by Boxerworks in Ga. In my mind it could be a good bike for a newbie. This is based on 40+ years of riding Enduro, Iron butt, etc. The bike is easey to handle.
Pappy

[hopelessly lost]

I agree with the advice already offered by others - take a riding course, first. (But, then, I AM a motorcycle instructor, so I'm biased!) Also, in my opinion, buying a motorcycle abroad when you only have a short time to travel may take some fun out of the trip. Dealing with paperwork and logistics will take time and can be frustrating... especially if you don't speak Spanish.

If you live in the States, buy your bike there and ride south! You do not need to speak the language (you'll pick up the basics on the way) and you can slowly adjust to the different driving cultures as you go along.

Anyway, do what you feel is right in the end. It's better to regret something you did do than something you didn't!

[TerraXpeditions]

Harry,

I am 21. I planned to ride my motorcycle when I graduated highschool (I was 19 and only had about 3000 miles 8 months experience) to Panama. I have a pretty dang good head on my shoulders and decided not to go. Now, I'm 21 and am leaving in a month for Yavisa, Panama (end of the Pan-American hwy). I have been to Costa Rica (several times) and Nicaragua (just once) and love it down there. Costa Rica is great, safe, friendly and scenic. Nicaragua is beautiful, colorful, and adventurous. Salcar, I'm sure could rent you one of his bikes to ride around Nicaragua once you get a bit of experience. Otherwise, Wild-Rider.com in Costa Rica can hook you up with a bike down there. But, you wont be able to cross the borders with either.

A good option you might find is to spend a couple weeks in Nicaragua and a couple weeks in Costa Rica renting from the two places. A bus from San Jose to Managua costs about 30-50 bucks on a grey hound style bus... and takes about 10 hours. Or you can fly for about 180 or so.

But do yourself a favor and learn to ride before you go. I have driven (not ridden) in Costa Rica.... and its delightfully scary how they drive. Road signs are non existant and its extremely easy to get lost.

For now, maybe you should do the backpacking trip. Lots of folks are doing it without problems. Its cheap and exciting. Spend a couple weeks learning spanish and just have fun visiting the beaches, hiking, seeing.

In Costa Rica, dont miss the Arenal Volcano, Osa Penninsula, Santa Elena Cloud Forest, Tortuguero, Limon and the Carib coast.

Nicaragua: Lake Nicaragua and island and Granada. Salcar can fill you in on more.

Like I said, I leave in a month on my XR650L to spend 6000+ miles and 6 weeks on the road .

Good luck with your decision and keep us posted.