Tourist permits are issued at the border for residents/passport holders of certain countries (under friendly agreements). As a consequence, Americans, Canadians, and many European passport holders (and others) can show at the border in Central and South America and get a "permit" - a stamp with the time period written in.
Residents of other countries may be required to obtain a Visa in advance (possibly obtainable at the border). South/Central America is much looser on this (providing at the border) than many African and Asian countries.
In cases of Visa's, there's usually a dated visa sticker placed in your passport in advance at the time you applied/received the visa.
You need to check the web sites for the countries you would like to visit, under your visa, and find out where you stand, what's required. Not every country treats all individuals the same, so what someone says regarding their experience may have absolutely no relevance to your passport/situation.
__________________
quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand
|