Questions regarding storage in Costa/Rica and Panama from a "newbie"
 

Hello experts,

I will drive with a friend on two BMW 650 the Panamericana. We drive in different sections because we only have about 2-3 weeks per tour. Now I'm planning the tour from Mexico City to Costa Rica or Panama and need fresh information regarding the local storage possibilities.
I have already read in the forum but still have some questions:

Costa Rica: We are allowed to park the motorcycles in Costa Rica for 12 months, right (and..is that TRUE ?.... if I put on a day the bikes are confiscated, right?) Cost about $ 3-5 a day?

Panama: assuming cheaper than in Costa Rica, right? (storage possible in David and also Panama City ..panama city would fit better to us?)
And now the main question: may I leave in Panama my motorcycle also 12 months or is only on a shorter period possible ? do you have adresses in Panama City for us ? (but this is only an option to us if 12 month are legal)

Thanks
Frank from Germany

My experience in 2018 Costa Rica / Panama
 

Hi Frank, I stayed in Costa Rica for just over 6 months. They only allow a foreign registered vehicle 90 days any one stay every 180 days. I stored my bike in Panama for the 90 other days, but Panama will only issue you insurance at the Costa Rican Panama Border for 30 days, so you need to go back every month to renew the insurance and documentation. This I was able to do at their David office, so although inconvenient, not too bad.

When bringing my bike back from Panama after 90 days, I had miscalculated the 180 day exit requirement by Costa Rica and was stuck on the border for 5 days as they would not let my bike enter, and I could not go back to Panama as the 90 days had expired.

Both countries have the 90 day stay for your bike every 180 day period.

Hope this helps.
Cheers
Charlie

There are bonded warehouses in both Costa Rica and Panama where you can store a vehicle and suspend the TIP until you return. I’ve never done this, but the procedure is well known and you can find details online. Typically, these warehouses (“Almacen fiscal”) are near international airports, but presumably near the border as well. I’ve heard you can leave them as long as you want, i.e., longer than a year.

Hope that’s helpful.

Mark

any updates, storage a foreign bike 12 month in Costa Rica possible ??
 

Hello experts,

new "after covid crisis" travel plans for 2022 are coming up :-)

question: is this info still valid/possible ?:

Costa Rica: We are allowed to park the motorcycles in Costa Rica for 12 months, right (and..is that TRUE ?.... if I put on a day the bikes are confiscated, right?) Cost about $ 3-5 a day?

(i want to go back to germany after travelling to Costa Rica and want to come back to cost rica 12 month later)

Costa Rica help
 

This is the facility where my bike sat for 4-5 months. I live here and was importing it, but had to return to USA to help mom with an end of life thing.

I’ll message you with my email and send you the google map info

Sorry. I’m not a computer guy and can’t figure out how to attach here