www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Wondering if anyone has ever considered the idea of driving down from the U.S. through Mexico and Central America to get to C.R.? For someone considering an extended stay, it might be advantageous to have your vehicle and bring down more stuff with you than would be possible by air I would think. Would be interested in hearing anyone's pros or cons concerning the idea...

Had a buddy from Colombia that make that trek every year to Colombia, use to take a month off from work. Also I have met on multiple occasions, gringos making the trek from NC to Cancun and somewhere USA to Mexico City. I personally have driven from Chicago to Mexico City. I use to love driving on the open road but after that trip I was cured. I won’t go into a list of reasons and challenges that you may have to overcome but the biggest question that needs answering would be;

Do you really want to be traveling across Mexico and Central America with a substantial amount of valuables on you possession?

I work on Security so I’m always train to see the risk and cost associated with security. This one just jumps at me as a suicidal mission at best. I could be wrong but there are just way too many opportunities for you to become “Road Kill”. My $.02.

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Been reading a travel site where a Australian has been doing it from Alaska to Brazil. He hasn't run into any issues safety wise but he said border crossings have been nightmares with the various policies between the countries and the various fees required to bring a vehicle into each country. If you want to read it PM me and I'll send you a link.

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Josie, I would be interested in finding out how he managed the last 50 miles between Panama and Colombia since there is no road thru that protected area not even the PanAmerican highway. I am asking this because I would love to be able to travel to Colombia from Costa Rica via land. Have always been told that I would have to travel from Panama to Colombia by boat or air.

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Sounds like a waste of time largely because it involves driving through Mexico. I don't like wandering around there. Better to fly into the northern end of Central America and drive down. Watch your ass if you head into Colombia through Panama though.

One of the guys who lives here drove down to bring his truck. He said he had no real problems, driving only during the daylight.

I can get an email for you if you would like more info, GR.

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Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Funny you should mention that last 50 miles in Panama. I could have sworn I saw a ticket counter in the main bus terminal in Panama City that sold bus tickets to Colombia. I was wrong...imagine that. But, I didn't find that out until just today. I talked to a good friend of mine today who is Tico. He currently lives in PTY. I told him I wanted to take a bus from PTY to Colombia. He said it was not possible. I assume for the reason that BB57 gave. But, he did say that I could have all the Colombianas I wanted right there in PTY. So, come January, I believe that's what I'll do.

dapanz1

No idea buddy. I always taught he wa crazy by even doin that. This was back in the 80's if it makes any difference.

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Hit them fast, Hit them hard and NEXT!
A good chica is like a good carpenter - No wood gets wasted!!!

Thanks for all the comments so far. Regarding security, of course that is a concern, but as Pac commented and I've read elsewhere, it is advisable to only drive during the daytime at all times during the trip. And I expect that anything that someone would deem "valuable" will probably be well boxed up.

Pac - would definitely like to hear more from the guy who brought his truck down - thanks!

Stupid is as stupid does.

Make sure you have a will.

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"Believe none of what you read, and half of what you see." Old Island Woman

Can't we get through ONE thread here anymore without some idiot making some stupid, derogatory comment???

Last year, I met a guy (a double amputee) at the Castillo who was looking for someone to drive him and his truck to the States. I believe Art, the gringo who once worked the front desk at the hotel, offered to drive him. I never found out if they made it.

I also met a Dutch couple, at the Sixaola border crossing, who were on their way to the US after trekking across South America on a motorcycle with a sidecar. They entered Panama at Colon by taking a boat from Cartagena, Colombia. There used to be a ferry service, Crucero Express, between Cartagena and Colon, but from what I have read, that is no longer in service.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Getrhythm, amigo it is well documented that the road trip thru Mexico is not a pleasure trip, and should never be attempted solo. In fact one of your biggest problems will be the police- they will rob you in broad daylight, and if you try to stop them; well, have you ever seen a Mexican jail And sadly Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras are not much better. Strangely, your least malo Country will be Nicaragua. I had a friend that drove to Guatemala about 3 years ago, and it cost him over $1000 in "bribes" plus 8 new tires at double the normal price (yes they stoled his tires at night, once in a secure parking garage!!)
As for bringing a load down with you, be prepared to remove everything from your vehicle every night. If you do not, IT WILL ALL BE GONE THE NEXT MORNING They (Ladrons) WILL break into your vehicle and they are masters at disarming alarms; hell if they see you hauling it all into your room, they will probably break into your room!!

If this sounds like I am joking, be warned amigo, I am dead serious!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

A friend from Escazu made the trip from here to Sacremento and RETURN with no problems of any significance.

Eight days in each direction...just to do it.

Another did the trip from Denver twice...first time Phuck with every step of the way, second time with a German Shepard...never a problem.

Just imagine the you roll down the window and you and the dog are looking at the officer

pura vida

From what I'm getting here:
PLUSSES--The trip of a lifetime
MINUSES--...if you live to talk about it
Consider maybe a convoy of 3-4 vehicles (serious SUVs all) with one of the participants standing armed guard any time you're at a standstill. Have you read the statistics on the casualties in the current Mexican drug wars? As pointed out, lladrones are the least of your problems--trust me, the Federales do not play.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED