Bordercrossing Costa Rica - Nicaragua
 

I'm starting at the end of November a trip from Panama up to Mexico.
I want to bring a DJI drone with me, but drones are forbidden in Nicaragua.
Off Course I'll not use it there. But I saw comments of people, that their drone get confiscated at the airport and they get it back when they left the Country.
That would be a big problem for me. I’m not leaving Nicaragua going back to Costa Rica, I’m going on to Honduras.
Will the luggage be controlled at the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, or they just check the papers of the bike?
Thanks and best regards
Joe from Austria

The only time we nearly had our luggage searched was leaving Nicaragua before arriving in Costa Rica. I'm not sure why they cared about people leaving the country, but there is no point in trying to find logic at a Central American border. We ended up paying a "helper" that paid off the inspector so we never got searched. They didn't seem to care about our luggage when we entered Nicaragua from Honduras.

drone
 

It is a gamble at all borders whether or not they want to look in luggage in detail. Inspections are often just a quick glance into the bags to see if you are hauling weapons or forbidden goods.But those bags may also be inspected at roadside by some police or army checks
Would suggest that you not package it too conspicuously, no obvious cases labeled "DRONE< FRAGILE" , . Maybe break it down into unrecognizable sub bits which you distribute among your clothing , put some decoy pizza stickers on the drone box .

Can you provide a link to the Nicaraguan source that states law re: drone use/ temporary import for private use? others will be interested in this.

Thanks for the hints.
Here you'll find information for more countries not only Nicaragua.
https://uavsystemsinternational.com/...ua-drone-laws/

It seems that from Panama up to Mexico, Nicaragua is the only Country, where drones are not allowed at all.

Regards
Joe

If/when you pass Mexico City, please get in touch.

Servus Joe from Austria ,

by December I should be back home in Antigua,Guatemala. Send me a PM when you're getting close .

not only do you risk being searched at the border, nicaragua is filled with police checkpoints along the highways and roads--more so than ever before--and they can and sometimes do search vehicles.

nicaragua is very keen on preventing the transport of drugs and cash through its territory.

also, and many will say i'm just being alarmist, nicaraguan cops are famous for not knowing the law. they may interpret your possession of a drone as a crime and arrest you. you will eventually be set free, but after how long, and after who knows what happens to your bike, no one can tell.

Hi Jürgen!

I'm going to Mexico. If I come to the area around Puerto Vallarta I'll visit you.



Gracias, hasta luego
Joe