Bike Storage In Panama or Costa Rica

Oz · #1 10 Oct 2003

I know this question has been asked before but that was back in 2000 but I cant contact the relevaant travellers. I need to return to the UK in Dec 2003 for 6 months to earn some cash to continue on to Patagonia. I will need to leave the bike in either Costa Rica, Panama or maybee Ecuador. Do bikes get stamped into passports in these countries and will this mean that I cant fly out (even with a return ticket). Has anyone done what I am trying to do? Has anyone got any good contacts for bike storage in these places ? At present from what i have researched I believe that Panama may be the easiest place to leave it. Any information that may help would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Oz

**Albert Hoermann** · #2 12 Oct 2003

Hi Oz!

I will do the same in costa rica if it works out, i don´t know yet. but look at the topic from the 16th of september 2003 and you will find the answer! i try it in the first week of december an i ill let you know if it{s possible!

Good Luck, Appie

Oz · #3 14 Oct 2003

Thanks for the reply, I should have looked more carefully and I would have seen your link of Sept 16th. As per normal in too much of a rush. I too will be putting the bike into storage 1st week of Dec so will probably see you about. If I learn anything new will keep you posted. One thing. Can you leave Costa Rica without the bike and not have to pay import duties on it. I was informed that you couldn't. I have no info as yet on Panama.
Safe Travels
Oz

**Sojourner** · #4 17 Oct 2003

I will try to store the bike in Panama as well in the first week of December and then return in January.
I am currently staying at Lake Atitlan and heading to El Salvador in a few days.

Oz · #5 22 Nov 2003

ok i have sussed how to store the bike in costa rica and then hopefully leave the country without being fined for overstaying the max time the bike allowed to be in the countryfor which is 6 months. on entry to costa rica the bike was not stamped into my passport so this means i can leave without questions being asked and return again. the vehicle permits are issued for three months and can be extended for another three, but this still leaves me with 45 days without a permit. i have found out the the border crossing north of the main costa rica/panama border shuts at night but the border is not physically closed. this means that i can cross into panama with the bike, return in the morning and get panama papers for it. this plans seems to work in theory, hopefully it will work in practice, if not i am told you can oil the wheels of the beurocracy at the border with some dollars. i would like to avoid trying this if at all possible. the bike will be stored with a friend in san jose so there are no probs there. i am sure that if you havnt got a contact that a friendly bike shop would store it for a little cost. hope this is of use, mail me if you need any other info
oz

**mart.math** · #6 1 Apr 2012

Hola todos !

I am digging up this old post as I am in the same situation right now and trying to get info.
What about bonded storage ? (Costa Rica or Panama)
Oz, how did it turn out in the end ? (just PM you)

Cheers,

Mathieu

**glasswave** · #7 5 Apr 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oz

I need to return to the UK in Dec 2003 for 6 months .... I will need to leave the bike in either Costa Rica, Panama or maybee Ecuador. Do bikes get stamped into passports in these countries and will this mean that I cant fly out (even with a return ticket). Has anyone done what I am trying to do? Has anyone got any good contacts for bike storage in these places ? At present from what i have researched I believe that Panama may be the easiest place to leave it.

I have left my bike in Colombia until my papers were expired and had no trouble to exit. There is a place that is posted about where you can store a bike between the CO & VE borders. You can also leave a bike with Mike at Casa Blanca in Cali (quite expensive).

You cannot extend or freeze you papers in EC. It is not advisable to over stay your TIP in EC. In Peru, you can freeze your TIP papers.

The way I understand it, is that in Panama you can enter the canal zone, check out with customs, put your bike in a bonded warehouse, return and re enter thru customs and get new papers. You'll have to confirm this.

Don't know anything about Costa Rica, but when I passed Paso Canoas by bus in the we hours the border was manned. Perhaps aduanas was closed.

**mart.math** · #8 3 Weeks Ago

I was able to store it in Costa Rica without problems :
There are several bonded storage warehouses ("Almecen Fiscal" in spanish) near the San Jose international airport and there is also a customs office, you can get a list of the warehouses there.
Once the bike is stored the warehouse gives you a paper, with it you go to the customs office and they can freeze your TIP for free.
Pretty easy and fast.
I went to the almecen fiscal Coco's, which is pretty close to the aiport, you can park the bike indoors, $3/day. You can pay when you return.

It is also explained in details here >
Going home - Head South