south america 2013
 

i am planing a trip to Argentina chile Peru Ecuador then back up into central
america and up to the u s a starting next sep iwant to ship the bike into Buenos aries and start from there i have had cost for shipping abd by air the difference in cost is a lot can anyone tell me the pit falls with shipping to B/A and geting your bike out of customs. also looking for fellow travellers
for this trip

geff the lost biker

RoRo to South America
 

Hi Geff.
I used Strand Travel in London to book Grimaldi's RoRo, Tilbury to Buenos Aires. But I think they only now go to Uruguay. But the paperwork is the same. A temporary import visa and ride away. They do it for you on the boat. From Montevideo you can ride to Colon and catch the ferry to Buenos Aires. Or ride around.
It looks expensive but if you include meals, accomodation, waiting time for bike, shipping/storage costs, the boat is better value if you have the time.
I may still be here then (who knows?).

thanks for the tip i have contacted grimaldi as i live in spain i can put it on the boat in leharve france geoff the lost biker

Hi Geff,

I shipped my bike into BA from Manchester in October had no issue with the customs clearance I used Sandra at Daka motors to help me with the clearance as this was my first time with motorbike & travel but to be honest you could do it yourself.
I had to pay some storage fees as it landed at the weekend and i couldn't clear till Monday (the offices are closed Saturday and Sunday) apart from that no problems.

I also rode into Montevideo crossing the border at fray bentos by road this was fine no problems as I needed 1 year visa for my bike on the ferry you only receive 3 months. If you need a contact in Montevideo let me know as the chap who looked after me & helped with storage is great.

thanks joe i will ride around and get the 1 year visa as you did all planing is going well

geoff

What are your tentitive dates?
 

I'm planning on heading down from Vancouver and riding down nov 1st and arriving in Colombia Nov 15

Cheers

Bob

travel dates
 

hi bob i have got provisional dates for air freight with james cargo date being September 14th this year to Buenos Aires then heading south i am planing on being away for 6 months have been to south america 4 times befor and do speak some Spanish

Hi Geff,

I'm planning the same trip. Isn't September a little early as it will be winter unless your not planning to go down to Patagonia?

hi Jason i know sep may be abit early but i want to go south and the criss cross south america and i need to be quite far north as the raine season in the high mountains is between January and march i have been in Buenos
Aires in September 5 years ago and also north and it was hot

geoff

Hi Geff,
I myself am doing what your planning. I'm in Ecuador now. I went BA, to Ushuaia and then followed the West Coast up.
One thing you may want to keep in mind is the passage from Colombia to Panama. People say the boat trip is a fantastic experience if you get good weather and a good boat. I would recommend the Stalleratte if you can manage to organise it with their schedule. Supposed to be lots of other bikers and a great trip. Unfortunately they are not available so I am using the Independence.
But as you say you want to be north earlier to miss the rainy season, you may end up hitting the stormy season for the boat trip (jan and feb) and have a rough sail, or some boats refuse to go during that time.
Of course if you take a plane this is no problem!

Ps. I was in Ushuaia for Christmas and new year. I think every year there is a bikers party at this time at one of the campsites. Was great fun and met some great characters...could be worth holding back for!

All the best and good luck!