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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 21 Jun 2008
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cartagena
Posts: 66
Six Months
Hello Strecher Monkey:

Yes, I am very experienced with “Life in Colombia”

I have a visa valid until the end of 2009. It sounds like I can get 6 months and perhaps 3 months more. That would be great for my plans. I was thinking on a Vstrom. The Vstrom is sold both in the USA, Colombia and throughout SA. I am assuming that it is easy to get parts and service this way.

Thanks for your advise!
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  #2  
Old 17 Jul 2008
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Shropshire, Blighty
Posts: 346
An update
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cartagenabound View Post
Hello Strecher Monkey:

Yes, I am very experienced with “Life in Colombia”

I have a visa valid until the end of 2009. It sounds like I can get 6 months and perhaps 3 months more. That would be great for my plans. I was thinking on a Vstrom. The Vstrom is sold both in the USA, Colombia and throughout SA. I am assuming that it is easy to get parts and service this way.

Thanks for your advise!
If anyone is interested, I went to the border with Ecuador and they insisted I had to leave Colombia for the night. Although possibly that was not strictly necessary, I still had to go through the motions of being stamped out and back in again, so I crossed over to Tulcan with the bike for the night. It was no big shakes and everything was cheaper and the bottles of bigger!

I didn't bother with importing the bike into Ecuador as it was Sunday and the aduana was closed, I really couldn't be bothered anyway.

On re-entry, my visa entitled me to a further 202 days and this confused the chica in DIAN for a while but she eventually gave me 3 months for the bike which I hope to renew in Bogota.

It's important not to push the fact that you have any kind of "residency" as this importation is for tourists. You do not get permission to import for the length of your visa. They are not interested in your visa, cedula or otherwise. Play the game - passing through. Other than that everything was really friendly and efficient.

There seems to be no apparent limit on how many times you can do this.
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  #3  
Old 22 Jun 2008
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cartagena
Posts: 66
Maimi to Colombia
I will keep my eye out for you. I would think that your best bet would be Avianca as they do a lot of cargo in and out. When are you planning on your trip? What kind of bike do you want to take?
Martin
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  #4  
Old 22 Jun 2008
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Location: Shropshire, Blighty
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@Martin - Not sure if I made myself clear, but I did not mean you should have to leave with the bike permanently. After one day, you can enter again and renew the paperwork. Vstroms, as you probably know, are very popular here with whole moto clubes being dedicated to them. I don't know about Cartagena, but if it's anything like the rest of the Costa Caribe, you'll have no problems getting parts as long they are for a jetski!!! Plentiful Suzuki parts available in the other big cities.

@Patrick - try one of the cargo-carriers like Tampa Air, Girag or Centurian. Costs are apparently $500 - $600, but a mate of mine recently paid substantially more to do the trip in reverse.
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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  #5  
Old 22 Jun 2008
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HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cartagena
Posts: 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Martin,
In your travels if you happen to come upon any info on shipping by air a motor cycle from Miami to Colombia, I would be very grateful. If you find out about a particular company that is good with bikes for reasonable cost, that would help. Seems very logical since Miami is SOOOO close to Colombia, no?

I do not want to ride through Central America (been there, done that! ) so a more direct path into S. America would be best, and I can't think of a better place to arrive in than Colombia.

Any help appreciated and your generous offer if much appreciated.

Cheers,

Patrick
San Rafael, CA
Hello Patrick:
Sounds like you have done the CA to Panama trip. Several questions. How long is the trip? Was it mostly paved roads?
I am into adventure; however the kind that ends up in a hotel at night. My days of sleeping out side are long gone.
Thanks
Martin
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  #6  
Old 23 Jun 2008
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cartagena
Posts: 66
Hey Patric, that is great stuff. I am printing it out as I write this. Thanks!
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  #7  
Old 25 Jun 2008
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cartagena
Posts: 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Jeff,
Thanks for the referral! Will look into both companies. I've checked out the Girag site and I know they fly alot from Panama to Colombia.

Martin,
I lived in Guate. and Salvador back in the 70's, (2 years) passed through all of Cent. America as well (not on a bike). Rode a bike into Guate in the 80's, haven't been back since.

The Panamericana is all paved and if you've got good border skills and some luck, you can go from the Mexican border to Panama in a week or less if you want.

As far as these borders go, the best and most recent thread I've found is on ADV rider by Jeff Munnn. He does a fantastic job laying it all out. Only a couple years old and covers everything! A great read and ride report all in one with a TON of good info.

Central America Ride Planning and Road Wisdom - ADVrider


Patrick
Patrick:

I read it all from beginning to end. This is almost everything I will need to know. I feel like I am ready to go!! Thanks a bunch. Any time in Cartagena, look me up.

Martin
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