Central America - border crossings
 

Hi all,

Um, just been through Mex / Belize and Belize / Guatamala crossings, all hyped up for hassle and both were a complete breeze. Maybe it was down to timing (both borders not busy) but was pleasantly suprised.

Any updates for Guat / Honduras, Honduras / Nicaragua, Nicaragua / Costa Rica, Costa Rica / Panama border crossings out there pleasy?

Cheers,
Brian
http://colesyboy.tripod.com

More of the same. Generally, as some one previously posted, the quietest borders are the best.

I did these in the last two weeks:

Guat/Hond - via Chiquimula
Hon/Nic - via El Paraiso/Las menos
Nic/CR - Penas Blancas
CR/Pan - Sixaola past Puerto Viejo

No problems at any of them. The last was the quickest, only 30 minutes and definitely recommended for:

1 chilling on the CR beach about 10km past puerto viejo - it starts with an 'M' - eat at the two storey restaurant.

2 the 'tree house' maybe 5km past PV on the left

3 the two railway bridge crossings
http://www.fowb.co.uk/images/aPBordrBridge.jpg

Enjoy.

Currently trying to decide whether going to bogota or quito on thursday. Two friends have both said they felt safer in Colombia than in Ecuador.

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Jerome

http://www.fowb.co.uk



[This message has been edited by Jerome (edited 24 March 2004).]

Very happy to hear that Jerome.

Thank you.

Wonderful site by the way.

Well I'm off to Lake Atitlan shortly so looking forward to getting some Volcanoes under my shoes.

I keep hearing that Colombia is safe to travel through by people, I guess the thing that puts one off is the news reports followed up by lots of people (prolly who have never been there) stating that its a dicey place to go to....I experienced the same paranoia from people about Mexico!! Which turned out for me to be anything but dangerous.

Unfortunately, I'm running out of time and need to fly the bike to Equador, otherwise would probably have travelled through Colombia...oh well, there is next time I guess!

Ride safe,

Brian

http://colesyboy.tripod.com

Kids, how is it?

Jerome, think I just spotted your KTM in Girag's cargo bay. I've sent the Dakar to Bogota, and I'm with an English couple on a GS who've shipped to Quito. Give us a shout if you want some nonsense.

And Colesyboy, you too - email if you want any details.

Dan Walsh.

Does common sense prevail here? Quietest would be mid-week/mid-day avoiding end of and beginning of the week?

Thanks!!!

Does common sense prevail here? Quietest would be mid-week/mid-day avoiding end of and beginning of the week?

Thanks!!!

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Not always.. if it is on a trucking route, then weekends are definitely quicker.

Hey Dan,

All is cool, now that I am in Costa Rica and though with borders for a little while. Phew.

Looking at getting into Quito before the end of the month, any suggestions on how much a flight (for me) might cost and where to go?!?!?

Cheers all,

Brian
http://colesyboy.tripod.com

Colesy Boy,

How is it? Just seen this. I went into Colombia from Panama City - $350 for the bike to Bogota, $120 for me to Cartegena. Ecuador costs $650 for the bike and about $300 for you. All freight is with Girag at PC airport, passengers tend to use Copa. Or one of the Colombian airlines. Email if you need anymore details.

Cheers, Dan Walsh (in Quito - with quite a crew - Dick and Jane on a GS and Trys on an XR).

Hey Dan,

Doing well cheers mate, off on my way to Panama city tomorrow, had not realised how long the journey is from San Jose, so am looking to be in PC in a couple of days I guess, then hoping to get the bike and me out early next week to Quito! Hurrah, thanks for the updates on the quotes for the flights...blimey, not cheap is it!?

Cheers

Brian

Colesy,

Give us a shout when you get into town or mail me, I'll still be here, waiting for a sprocket.

Cheers, Dan Walsh

PS PC - head for the Hotel Covadonga off Balboa. $20 for ac and cable and pool, restaurant downstairs, secure parking. Drink in Players on 42nd Street.

Will do Dan,

Um any idea of the frequency of the flights - dont worry if you dont know, just curious.

Cool with the hotel - sounds like the plan, see you there!

Nice one!

Brian

Right, update.

I´m actually in the Girag offices here in Panama. They are going to fly the bike to Bogota on Wednesday, then it flies to Quito on Friday, ready for me to pick it up on Saturday (fingers crossed) all for $450 all told.

So going to book a flight to Colombia for me on Wed, chill for a bit in Bogota, then flying out on Friday / Sat to Quito.

Cool bananas

Headquarters set up in The Turtle´s Head Pub, in the new town, Ave Nina and Ave Amazonas. You`ll see all the bikes in the forecourt.

Cheers, Dan Walsh

Thanks for your help Dan, was good to meet you, Trys, Jerome, Richard and Jane, even though it was too short a stay for my liking.

Me Girlie on plane to Trujillo tomoz, thanks for the suggestion.

Riding through the Andes from Quito to Peru so far has given me the best views on the trip. Tears to the eyes type stuff.

See you on the road geezer, hope you get the sprock soon,

Brian

PS you owe me a fiver

Suerte, cabron. See you down the road. Cheers, Dan

PS Yep, I do.

I just read this story about a difficult border crossing from Guatamala into Honduras, because of 'import' permits requiring a trip to Puerto Cortes, Honduras. Did this guy just get scammed. Here is the link.
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/55/..._Americas.html

Wow, that guy got hosed big time. The article doesn't give a date, but last fall I crossed form Guatemala to Honduras at El Florido, a little crossing near the Copan ruins for about $20, in less than 2 hours, including my bike. This crossing is out of the way, yet sees a fair number of foreign travellers because it is close to Copan, maybe that's the difference.



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Andy Tiegs
www.tiegs.com