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

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!




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

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...

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" http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif OTOH, some people have been stuck for weeks waiting for a carnet to arrive from home.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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

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?

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?

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..)

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...?

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...

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.

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

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.