Anybody have any advice for driving from the U.S. to Costa Rica?

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Juan2three

I have done it before it but I wouldn't do it again.Way too much trouble and expense.

If you were moving there to live and/or work.OR if you were taking 3 or more people with you then there "might" be some justification for taking a vehicle with you.
I still go to Mexico and Central America at least 2-3 times a year but I use public transportation exclusively and find it to be a reliable, efficient & economical alternative to taking my own vehicle.

You will need to research the requirements of bringing a car into "each" of the countries you will be driving in as they all have a different set hoops that you must jump through when crossing their borders.If your Spanish is limited it can often be an insanely frustrating experience to understand and/or please some of the police, customs and immigration officials you will come in contact with.

There have been several books written about travel on the Pan American Highway from the US to Panama I would suggest you read at least a couple of them.

Regarding using US funds.They are usually (In the smaller denominations) accepted for payment but you will likely get a bad rate of exchange if they think it is all that you have.It's called the gringo tax.

The police in Mexico as well as in other countries will take the plates off your vehicle for even a minor parking violation and will take them to the Cop Shop where they will keep them until you come in and pay your fine.

There is no self-serve in any of the countries and the person that pumps your fuel doesn't get paid much but has learned fifty ways to manipulate the pump or short stick you when checking your oil....yet another example of the gringo tax.

Still want to drive your car? Did I mention the cash bond that must be deposited with a Mexican bank at the border to assure that you leave Mexico with that same car you entered with. There is also the cost of the additional Mexican insurance that you must purchase and additional cost of permits from each country If you are involved in a automobile accident in Mexico and there is a question of who was at fault the police can hold both drivers in jail until fault has been determined.

These are just a few of the things you must think about and accept before you think about driving.

Finally,your US plates are like a beacon on a dark night to some people who might be looking to scam and/or separate you from some of your cash or belongings...including your ride.....You can't be with it 24/7.

In all fairness, many people have driven through Mexico and Central America without incident but you must give equal consideration to what "could" happen before making the decision to drive your vehicle... Hope I didn't kill your buzz.

Below is a link to a friends website.He has written about his trips back and forth from Guatemala to the US.You might find something of interest in what he wrote.Left side of the page as I remember.*Driving to Guatemala*

Mike

First of all, you shouldn't do it.

The roads are bad, you will encounter rebels and others holding guns asking for money "for their cause", corrupt police, dangerous neighborhoods, major delays and problems at borders, etc.

US Currency should be fine all the way though...

But you can fly for $100 per direction.... it is DEFINITELY cheaper to fly! (Spirit Airlines, from Florida)

Have fun!

Tony Camonte

I actually did this once, it is very long and inconvenient, I'd only do it for the adventure and if you want to see all the countries on the way. The roads are almost all narrow 2-lane and range from OK to potholed and funky. I would recommend a sturdy car (my friends 1986 Chevy Caprice held up OK). The drivers are kind of crazy (think buses passing at high speed on near-blind curves, or using the median as a passing lane and expecting oncoming traffic to move to the shoulder), and there will be animals, drunk people, etc. in the road. The border crossings are a pain, the big busy ones (such as the ones on the lowland Pacific route) are very slow and chaotic and full of crooks and bribe-hungry officials.

There are no longer any wars or rebellions on the route, although bear in mind that in the poorer countries law enforcement is kind of sketchy.

The best route is through the highlands, its more scenic and interesting, cooler climate, and the crossings are less busy and easier. I would AVOID driving at night.

You could do it, and it might be a lot of fun, just make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.

As for duration, I couldnt say because we visited a lot on the way, but if you did it straight maybe a week?

divine_1848

Don't do it. You'll ruin the car. The roads are a mess.

Cassandra S.

Well, I never did but wow.
That'd be one heck of a ride!!
It would be better if you didn't. Maybe driving to California or something then taking a plane to Costa Rica would be fine.

The road ARE bad, the bureaucracy is horrendous and, trust me, bad idea.

wrso

don't do that it's dangerous try to fly by plane. it's cheaper than travel by car so i advice to buy a ticket. you need to bear in mind that you'll find some Rebels on your way to Costa Rica but if you want to take this risk well don't get in dangerous areas so in this way you can be safety of those rebelds.

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