Contact Overland Solutions for all your custom modifications and setup for overland travel.

Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Advisories and Urgent Information > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road

Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
With more than 58 destinations worldwide, Edelweiss Bike Travel is Number 1 in guided motorcycle tours!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Oct 2001
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Auckland & Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 75
Colombia Ecuador

1: is a Libretta ok for flying into Ecuador or do you need the full-blown Carnet?

2: has anyone travelled thru columbia/ecuador recently - is it safe? I'm not afraid of kids with AK47's, it's kids with AK47's pointed at me that I worry about...

thanks
Lance
__________________
http://www.elevatorfactoids.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Oct 2001
Susan Johnson's Avatar
Administrator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 629
Hi Lance

Ecuador is the strictest country in South America by a long shot re the carnet, you will definitely require the full-blown version. If you get it from CAA, they will also include a letter in Spanish to the Ecuador authorities which may expedite the process somewhat.

Ecuador is safer than Colombia, but there is definitely some political unrest. And although we know people who have had good experiences in Colombia, it is definitely more dangerous than Washington, DC.

If you have options, I would opt for Chile, Argentina or Brazil instead. All of those will also be less hassle on the vehicle entry side as well.

Good luck and safe travels!




------------------
Susan Johnson
Share the Dream at Horizons Unlimited - THE Motorcycle Travel site
__________________
Susan Johnson

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Oct 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 8
Susan... Steve and I went through Ecuador in August of 1999(flew in via Panama). And we did not require a carnet. Despite everyone telling us we needed one we did not. As much as it was a couple of days for the bikes to clear customs (with no bribing!)the bikes were certified to go. I can dig up the name of the fellow who cleared customs for us if needed. In all of my travels from Alaska to Argentina, no carnet was required...None of the other bikers I met with had them either... but who knows?

Its the age old bikers dilema to carnet or not to carnet?

Be well...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Oct 2001
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Vancouver BC Canada
Posts: 4,151
Unfortunately, things have changed in the last year or so. Carnets are required if you FLY into Ecuador, but are NOT required if you arrive by land border. Technically, you are supposed to, but they don't worry about it.

It IS possible to fly in without a carnet, but requires good Spanish and a fine-tuned sense of when to pay a "fee" OTOH, some people have been stuck for weeks waiting for a carnet to arrive from home.

------------------
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
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Oct 2001
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Auckland & Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 75
thanks all - We'll play it by ear a little but I think flying straight to peru may be preferable to the massive deposit required by CAA....
cheers
Lance
__________________
http://www.elevatorfactoids.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Oct 2001
d d is offline
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: new zealand/germany
Posts: 46
gidday lance!

my mate mario and i just travelled through colombia last week. we took the following route: quito - pasto - cali - ibagué - bogotá - bucaramanga - cúcuta - venezuela.

although the people, the landscape and the roads are simply awesome, the situation is NOT. during our time there another 30 people were kidnapped on the panamericana, an ex-minister afterwards executed.

the head of security of unicef colombia said he would have forbidden us to travel through his country if we had been employed by them instead of being ambassadors for unicef nz.

if you decide to do the trip regardless, start travelling at 6am or earlier and be off the road by 4pm. keep a low profile and do not leave the main roads.

if you need any more specifics, just mail me!

cheers, d www.2-mad.com

ps: are you from the godzone - nz?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Worthington Mn USA
Posts: 166
Colombia paperwork

HI I have just arrived from Ecuador into Colombia at Tulcan and when we crossed we were not given paperwork for the motorcycle. They said no personal there to do it and we would have to do it in Cali. Can anyone help me as to where I need to go to get it. I have heard a bank can do it but they said I needed to go to Aduana in Cali. I have checked here in Cali and can not find anyone who knows. Do I have to pay a fee?
__________________
Larry Davis
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Albany, West Australia
Posts: 62
help in Cali

Hi
I Just past through Cali a few days ago..
Sorry can´t help with an address for Aduana (I managed at the border..) but I did receive some help in Cali that might be able to point you in the right direction..
Drop into The Suzuki Super Store Av 6N #23-75 (the 23 means it is between Calles 23 and 24, took me a while to figure the system out) and ask if Federico is about - he is one of the owners ands speaks good english if your spanish is a bit like mine (his cel no is 300 6001425). If he can´t help you he can probably find help for you.
So if no one here on the HUBB can supply you with an address try these guys out and say Hi to them from me (Bruce from Australia..)
__________________
www.brucethart.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Santa Marta, Colombia, South America
Posts: 356
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssa2 View Post
HI I have just arrived from Ecuador into Colombia at Tulcan and when we crossed we were not given paperwork for the motorcycle. They said no personal there to do it and we would have to do it in Cali. Can anyone help me as to where I need to go to get it. I have heard a bank can do it but they said I needed to go to Aduana in Cali. I have checked here in Cali and can not find anyone who knows. Do I have to pay a fee?
You'll be needing: DIAN Cali

Calle 11 No. 3 - 18 open Mondays to Fridays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales de Colombia

No fees payable under normal circumstances. You can buy your insurance (SOAT) at gas stations and supermarkets.

Frankly, it all sounds a bit odd and unprecedented. Did they give you a letter, a stamp, or anything...?
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda

Last edited by Stretcher Monkey; 24 Jun 2008 at 04:32.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Santa Marta, Colombia, South America
Posts: 356
Looks like the border office is undergoing some remodelling. It would seem you should have gone here: Cra 4a No. 14 - 76, in Ipiales. Or maybe you did...
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Worthington Mn USA
Posts: 166
paper work for Colombia

They gave me a sheet of paper listing offices that I could go to. It shows Dian Cali and they indicated that it was ok for me to go to this one and get it done. I also do not have insurance yet so I had better get that done before I go to them. Thanks for you help. I think the guy was just lazy and did not want to deal with my English. At first he said he could do it but I had to get my other stamps done first. I got those done and then when I went back to him to get it done he indicated that he could not do it until Monday. No personal he kept saying. He gave me the sheet of paper which is all in Spanish and it had several stamps on it with the different offices that I could go. At least that is what I think.
__________________
Larry Davis
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 24 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Santa Marta, Colombia, South America
Posts: 356
Ok Larry, no problems. I can't even imagine trying to engage in that process in English! Let us know how it all goes.

Mucha Suerte
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2 Jul 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 146
Quote:
Originally Posted by d View Post

although the people, the landscape and the roads are simply awesome, the situation is NOT. during our time there another 30 people were kidnapped on the panamericana, an ex-minister afterwards executed.

the head of security of unicef colombia said he would have forbidden us to travel through his country if we had been employed by them instead of being ambassadors for unicef nz.


Hi, has anyone else recently had experiences like this?
I am a bit shocked if so, a real shame if violence is increasing.

I have been actively telling everyone I know to visit Colombia.
__________________
The Road To Rio - Locokiwi
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 17 Jul 2008
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Vancouver BC Canada
Posts: 4,151
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Big J View Post
Hi, has anyone else recently had experiences like this?
I am a bit shocked if so, a real shame if violence is increasing.

I have been actively telling everyone I know to visit Colombia.
Check the date on that post - it was 9th October 2001!! Things have changed greatly since then, and we do currently highly recommend Colombia - but do still contact the HU Communities there and let them know your plans, as there are a few not 'recommended' areas still.
__________________
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 17 Jul 2008
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Vancouver BC Canada
Posts: 4,151
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
Unfortunately, things have changed in the last year or so. Carnets are required if you FLY into Ecuador, but are NOT required if you arrive by land border. Technically, you are supposed to, but they don't worry about it.

It IS possible to fly in without a carnet, but requires good Spanish and a fine-tuned sense of when to pay a "fee" OTOH, some people have been stuck for weeks waiting for a carnet to arrive from home.

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

Share the Dream!
at: Horizons Unlimited - THE Motorcycle Travel site
NOTE - UPDATE - A carnet is NOT required since about 2005 in any of the Americas, including Ecuador.
__________________
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying KLR Tyres: Ecuador, Colombia or Venezuela? JamesCo South America 9 9 Jan 2013 00:17
GPS Map of Ecuador and Colombia ssa2 Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 17 25 Apr 2012 15:15
Peru-Ecuador-Colombia Giacomo Olcese Travellers Seeking Travellers 24 10 Mar 2008 17:53
Colombia Ecuador Peru Canxcape Travellers Seeking Travellers 2 10 Jan 2008 15:52
Colombia- Ecuador- Peru Homero Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 2 29 Oct 2005 21:01


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:54.