Kategori: Border Crossing

Border Crossing

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Border Crossing Argentina to Uruguay at Fray Bentos

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Argentina to Uruguay at Fray Bentos: Border Crossing

Border name: Gualeguaychu – Fray Bentos Bridge
Closest major cities: Gualeguaychu, Argentina and Fray Bentos, Uruguay
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 30 minutes
The Steps

  1. Drive over the scenic international bridge. Take photos, but don’t stop. That makes the other drivers angry.
  2. Stop on the other side of the bridge to pay the fat $AR60 bridge toll.
  3. Drive to the booth that has the «turismo» sign out front.
  4. Hand over the passports for everyone in the car. You will be stamped out of Argentina and into Uruguay. (Two officials, one booth, amazing!)
  5. At the same booth hand in your Argentinian temporary vehicle permit. They will cancel it.
  6. The booth people will give you a pink slip of paper. This is your ticket to leave the border area.
  7. Drive forward and park on the right side.
  8. The vehicle owner goes into the building on the left. (Explain you are a tourist not just in transit, it might get you to the front of the line).
  9. Hand in the driver’s license, passport, the vehicle title and the pink ticket. The official will have you complete a vehicle permit and may ask if you have insurance. He will return all documents and stamp your pink ticket.
  10. Return to your car and show the pink ticket to the customs inspectors. They may ask questions about the food you have and/or search your car for meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.
  11. Drive ahead a few hundred meters to the check point. The official will inspect your pink slip for the correct number of stamps, and then send you on your way.

The Ferry: You can cross by vehicle ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia. For three of us, plus the car, the cost was approximately AR$1,200. Prices change based on departure hour and day. There are 3-4 ferries per day, but you must arrive at the terminal 2 hours ahead of schedule to sort the border crossing paperwork. See theferry’s website for full details.

One-Year Permits: By default, you should be given a 1-year vehicle permit when you cross at this border. We were issued one without question. However, it seems that if you need one, they may tell you that the permit is only available in Montevideo and you’ll have to drive all of the way to the aduana in the big city to get the permit extended.

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Border Crossing Argentina to Chile at Los Libertadores

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

 

Argentina to Chile at Los Libertadores: Border Crossing

Border name: Los Libertadores

Closest major cities: Mendoza, Argentina to Santiago, Chile
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Steps

  1. Drive up the mountain pass and through the tunnel. Don’t stop at any of the random aduana buildings on the side of the road. These are for busses and trucks.
  2. Several kilometers on the other side of the tunnel there will be a big building over the road. This is immigration and aduana for both Chile and Argentina.
  3. Stop at the back of the auto line. Someone will approach your car and give you a paper for your car, and tourist cards and customs declarations for everyone in the vehicle. Fill out the papers while waiting in the line.
  4. When there is an open space in the parking lot, an attendant will instruct you to park.
  5. Take your completed papers inside the building and follow the numbers on the boards above the windows.
  6. Number 1 is Argentinian immigration. Hand over your passport and the tourist card you received when you entered. They will stamp you out and keep the tourist card. The will also stamp the vehicle permit paper you filled out while waiting.
  7. Window number 2, just to the left, is Chilean immigration. They will stamp your passport and take one copy of your Chilean tourist card you, the other copy is yours. They will also stamp the vehicle permit paper.
  8. Window number 3 is Argentinian aduana. They will take your Argentinian vehicle permit and stamp your Chilean vehicle permit.
  9. Window number 4 is Chilean aduana. They will take the vehicle permit paper you filled out at the beginning, explain to you that it is the wrong one, and give you a new, nearly identical form to fill out.
  10. Take the new vehicle import form around to window #2 and get another stamp. Keep the old vehicle permit paper (we needed this to exit).
  11. Return to Chilean aduana (window #4). The official will sign the form and send you outside.
  12. Outside, an aduana officer (in a red coat) will take your permit and verify your license plate. They will sign and stamp the paper.
  13. Find a food and agriculture inspector (in a green shirt with SAG embroidered on it).
  14. The inspector will ask for your customs declaration forms and may search your vehicle. They will likely use dogs. They will confiscate any illegal foods and will stamp your form.
  15. Drive out of the parking area. An official will stop you and check that your vehicle permit has been stamped sufficiently. You may have to present both of the vehicle import permit papers.
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Border Crossing Argentina to Chile at Avanzada Monte Aymond

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Argentina to Chile at Avanzada Monte Aymond: Border Crossing 

Border name: Avanzada Monte Aymond or Paso Integral Austral

Closest major cities: Rio Gallegos, Argentina and Cerro Sombrero, Chile
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
The Steps

  1. Drive past the first Argentinian building, across the actual frontera, and park outside the new combined border building with the huge Chilean shields on it.
  2. If long lines, acquire a Chilean tourist card form and a Chilean SAG customs declaration form to complete while standing in line.
  3. Go to counter #1, Argentinian immigration. Hand over your passport and the tourist card you received on entry. The official will stamp both and return your passport.
  4. This official will also ask to see your vehicle title. He will return it with a vehicle release paper which you need to have stamped 5 times in order to leave the border.
  5. Move down the counter to #2, Chilean immigration. Hand over your passport, the tourist card you filled out in line, and the paper for stamping. Like usual, the official will stamp your passport, tourist card and the vehicle release paper.
  6. Move to #3, the Argentinian aduana counter. Hand over your Argentinian vehicle permit and the vehicle release paper. The official will stamp and return both.
  7. Move to counter #4, Chilean aduana. Hand over your title, driver’s passport, the Argentinian vehicle permit and the release paper. The official enters info in the computer, prints out your permit and stamps the release paper. He returns all papers including your new Chilean permit.
  8. Go to #5, SAG or Chilean Food and Agriculture desk. Hand over your customs declaration forms. The official will ask questions about what type of things you have to declare. He will stamp your vehicle release form and note on the form what types of goods you are declaring.
  9. Return to your vehicle, drive to the SAG checkpoint. An official in the green SAG vest may search your vehicle. They will confiscate fresh produce and fruits, honey, raisins, raw meat and raw eggs.
  10. When the search is complete, the SAG official will keep your vehicle release paper (that should have 5 stamps), and let you through.

CUSTOMS NOTE: As usual when entering Chile, expect to be searched for prohibited items. There is a HUGE list of what must be declared, but declaring doesn’t mean it will be confiscated. However, if you fail to declare and you are searched (which is very likely) you will be charged a big fat fine and they will take absolutely everything on the declare list without mercy. Customs agents will always take fresh fruit and vegetables, raw meat, honey, raisins, cheese and eggs. They occasionally will take other items, but for us it has been rare.

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Border Crossing Argentina to Brasil at Iguazu Falls

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

 

Argentina to Brasil at Iguazu Falls: Border Crossing

Border name: Iguazu Falls

Closest major cities: Puerto Iguazu, Argentina and Foz do Iguaçu, Brasil
Cost for visas: US$160 for US Citizens (must apply in advance) Free for South Africans
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 45 minutes
The Steps

  1. Drive up to the Argentinian immigration booth. Hand over your passports to be stamped out.
  2. Drive up to the random aduana official. Hand him your Argentinian temporary vehicle permit.
  3. Drive over to the Brazilian side. Go past the buildings, park at the back.
  4. Walk to the office labeled immigration. Fill out the tourist card and hand the official your passports and the card. She will check for your visa (if required) stamp and return the passports.
  5. Go across the street to the aduana building. Hand in the driver’s passport and the vehicle title. They will issue a temporary import permit, valid for 90 days.
  6. Live it up, this is Brazil!

Note: Visas for Brazil in Buenos Aires

US Citizens are required to have a visa for Brazil, which must be issued in advance. You can apply from the US to a Brazilian consulate, which we would have done if we had known for sure we would visit Brazil. Instead we applied through the Brazilian consulate in Buenos Aires. Which is here: Carlos Pellegrini 1363 or S34 35.537 W58 22.872

In order to apply, you must present yourself at the consulate at 9am sharp. They do have an online system for scheduling appointments, but this wasn’t working. You will need a copy of the application form, your passport, a passport photo, and a copy of a recent bank statement. You might be required to have a hotel reservation and/or a proof of departure. We had neither of these, and they didn’t ask for them. Note that when you complete the application your address and phone number MUST be in Buenos Aires. Use the ones from your hostel or campground if you need to. Just make sure they are local.

At the consulate they simply took our papers and gave us a bank slip. They told us to go to the ITAU bank and pay the visa fee, and then return between 12 and 1pm the following day. The bad news is that a visa costs US$165. The good news is that you can pay in Argentinian pesos and if you were smart and brought dollars with you and then changed them on the black market, your visa will cost more like US$100. See our Patagonia budget article for more info on this.

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Border Crossing Uruguay to Argentina at Concordia

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

 

Uruguay to Argentina at Concordia : Border Crossing

Border name: Salto or Concordia

Closest major cities: Salto, Uruguay to Concordia, Argentina
Cost for visas: $0 (Not including previously paid reciprocity fees for Argentina, see note below)
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 45 minutes
The Steps

  1. Drive past the out-of-commission Uruguay border buildings, over the bridge and keep going, past the welcome to Argentina signs until you finally see the border buildings across the road. Park wherever.
  2. Go into the building on the left. Get stamped out at the first counter, Uruguay immigration.
  3. Hand over your Uruguayan vehicle permit.
  4. Go to the Argentinian immigration counter. Hand over passports and reciprocity receipts (if required). They will be returned with a small slip of paper that records the number of people in your vehicle. This is your ticket to leave the border area.
  5. Go across the street to Argentinian aduana. Hand in the driver’s passport, license and vehicle title. They may ask for proof of insurance. They may also attempt to call your insurance company to verify it is valid. Eventually aduana will issue a vehicle permit.
  6. Get back in your car and drive under the arch. Hand over your ticket. At this point you may be searched for fresh fruits and vegetables. Many others were. We were not.
  7. Proceed to the nearest YPF and fill up on nice cheap gas.

RECIPROCITY FEE NOTE: Effective January 7, 2013 all US, Canadian and Australian citizen are required to pay a reciprocity fee at all Argentinian border entries, including land crossings. You must pay the fee online and bring the receipt to the border. Pay your fee online at this website.

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Border Crossing Chile to Argentina at San Sebastian

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Chile to Argentina at San Sebastian: Border Crossing

Border name: San Sebastian
Closest major cities: San Sebastian, Chile and Rio Grande, Argentina
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 20 minutes, plus 20 minutes driving
The Steps

  1. Stop at the Chilean border building just on the other side of San Sebastian.
  2. Go to the immigration counter and hand in your passports and tourist cards. The official will stamp both and return your passports.
  3. Go to Aduana and hand in your temporary vehicle permit.
  4. Buy delicious empanadas from the kiosk (avoid the french fries like the plague).
  5. Drive 15 kilometers to the Argentinian border building.
  6. Hand the immigration official your passport, completed tourist card and reciprocity fee receipts (if required, see note below). The official will stamp and return everything. He will also give you a scrap of paper with a stamp and the number of people in your car written on it. Save this, you need it to exit.
  7. Go to aduana and hand over the vehicle title and driver’s passport.
  8. (For South Africans Only) Explain impatiently that South Africa is not a region, it is actually the name of a country, and that your car is not from there, just the driver, and yes he is white and sketchy looking.
  9. Get your vehicle permit, sign it, and get back to your car.
  10. Drive up to the guard and hand over your stamped scrap of paper.

RECIPROCITY FEE NOTE: Effective January 7, 2013 all US, Canadian and Australian citizen are required to pay a reciprocity fee at all Argentinian border entries, including land crossings. You must pay the fee online and bring the receipt to the border. Pay your fee online at this website.

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Border Crossing Chile to Argentina at Paso Jama

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Chile to Argentina at Paso Jama: Border Crossing

Border name: Paso Jama

Closest major cities: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, Susques or Salta, Argentina
Cost for visas: $0 (See reciprocity fee update below!)
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 2 hours in Chile, 1 hour 15 minutes in Argentina (on the start of a holiday weekend)
Notes

  • The Chilean border offices are in San Pedro de Atacama, there are no offices near the border. If you entered from Bolivia’s southwest circuit, you are returning to the same offices where you were stamped in.
  • Insurance is mandatory in Argentina and is NOT available for purchase at the border crossing. See below on how we arranged insurance.
  • Chile and Argentina both charge reciprocity fees for US citizens, but ONLY if you are arriving at an airport. Save your cash for steak and wine.
  • RECIPROCITY FEE UPDATE: Effective January 7, 2013 all US, Canadian and Australian citizen are required to pay a reciprocity fee at all Argentinian border entries, including land crossings. You must pay the fee online and bring the receipt to the border. Pay your fee online at this website.

The Steps

  1. Go to the Chilean immigration/aduanda offices in San Pedro de Atacama. S22 54.659 W68 11.626
  2. Go to the immigration window first. Hand in your tourist card you received on entry and get a passport stamp. You MUST get stamped out of Chile, the Argentinian officials will check your passport!
  3. Go to the aduana window and hand in your vehicle import permit. They may ask to see your car, but nothing further.
  4. Drive the 100 miles up the huge mountain over the pass of Jama.
  5. Park your car in the gravel lots on the right or left side, it doesn’t matter.
  6. Go into the office on the left with the sign that says «Entrada».
  7. Stand in line at the first window for immigration. Hand over your passport. The official will stamp you in and either give you a printed tourist card, or will fill out a card for you. It depends if the printer is working.
  8. The immigration official will also give you a slip of paper with three check boxes on it. One for immigration, one for aduana and the other for agriculture inspection. You will get a stamp or a signature when you complete each step. He will stamp the immigration part and send you to aduana.
  9. Move down to the 4th or 5th window (they are helpfully signed as aduana).
  10. Hand over your vehicle title and the driver’s passport and the paper with the three check boxes. The official will enter all your info into a computer, print a vehicle permit and stamp your paper.
  11. Head outside with your paperwork and drive your car up to the border gate.
  12. An inspector will take your paper with the three check boxes. He will then search your car for prohibited food products. Thoroughness of the search depends on the official. Technically meat, fresh fruit and vegetables and some other products are prohibited to carry across the border.
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Border Crossing Chile to Argentina at Chile Chico

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Chile to Argentina at Chile Chico: Border Crossing

Border name: Rio Jeinimeni

Closest major cities: Chile Chico, Chile and Los Antiguos, Argentina
Cost for visas: $160 reciprocity fee for US citizen (pay in advance!)
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 30 minutes
Notes

Reciprocity Fees: Argentina recently changed their rules for collecting reciprocity fees for US, Canadian and Australian citizens. Fees were previously only collected if you entered via a major airport. Now fees must be paid online and in advance for all border crossings, including land borders. Go to this website, pay your fee and print the receipt. Take this with to the border. The current fees are: $160 for the United States (valid for 10 years), $100 for Australians (valid for 1 year) and $75 for Canadians (valid for one entry) or $150 (valid for multiple entries).

Border crossings further south: If coming from the southern part Carretera Austral note that there is another crossing, east of the town of Cochrane, called Paso Roballos. We heard multiple times that this road was in very poor condition and decided to take the easier road to the north. There is also a rumor that there will soon be a border crossing for vehicles just northeast of Villa O’Higgins. At this time the road on the Argentinian side, including one very important bridge over the Rio Mayer, has not been completed.

The Steps

  1. Drive to the Chilean immigration and customs building 3.5 miles outside of the town of Chile Chico.
  2. Go to the immigration counter and hand over your passports with your tourist card that you received upon entry. The official will keep your tourist card and stamp your passport.
  3. Go to the aduana counter and hand over your vehicle permit and vehicle title. The official will enter a few things in the computer, return your title and keep your permit.
  4. Drive two miles to the Argentinian border post.
  5. Go to the immigration counter (on the far left side of the building). Hand over your passport and receipts for reciprocity fees. (Reciprocity fees only apply to US, Canadian and Australian citizens).
  6. The official will give you a tourist card to complete. He will enter info into the computer and will check the code on your reciprocity fee receipt. You can NOT pay the fee at the border.
  7. Go to the signed aduana counter. Hand over your vehicle title and the driver’s passport. The official will enter info in the computer and print a vehicle permit. Sign two copies. You get one, they keep the other.
  8. Someone may inspect your car for food and other items.
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Border Crossing Bolivia to Chile

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Bolivia to Chile Border Crossing

Border name: Hijo Canjon
Closest major cities: Reserva Nacional Eduardo Avaroa, Bolivia and San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 10 minutes in Bolivia, 45 minutes in Chile
Note: This crossing goes through the VERY remote southwest corner of Bolivia. It is at least 300 miles from Uyuni to the border and there are likely no supplies (gas, food or water) for long stretches. Plan accordingly.

The Steps

  1. Go to the Aduana office on the Bolivian side. This is 80km north of the border at an elevation over 5000m. (S22 26.454 W67 48.357) Turn in your vehicle permit.
  2. Enjoy the rest of the national park.
  3. Drive to Bolivian immigration. S22 52.860 W67 47.901
  4. Have your passports stamped. Do NOT pay the Bs15 exit fee. It’s a sham. Unless they find a way to produce a receipt.
  5. Drive 30 miles down the nice paved Chilean hill to the Chilean immigration and customs, it is just outside of San Pedro de Atacama. S22 54.659 W68 11.626
  6. Go to the immigration window and get a tourist card to fill out.
  7. Complete the tourist card and hand it over with your passport. The official may need to see your vehicle title as well. He or she will enter your info into a computer, stamp your passport and tourist card and return both.
  8. Proceed to the aduana office at the other end of the same building. Fill out a customs declaration form. Be sure to check «Yes» on the question if you have anything to declare. Failing to mark this box results in a US$200 fine if you are caught.
  9. Aduana will need to see your vehicle title and the driver’s passport. He does not need any copies.
  10. The official will enter info in the computer and issue a temporary import permit good for 90 days.
  11. Find a food and agriculture inspector. He or she will take your customs declaration forms and may search your car. After the inspection you are free to go. Our car was thoroughly searched, and despite the ridiculous amount of food we had, they only took a few items.
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Border Crossing Peru to Bolivia

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Peru to Bolivia Border Crossing

Border name: Yunguyo

Closest major cities: Puno, Peru and Copacabana, Bolivia
Cost for Visas: USD$135 for US citizens, Bs360 (USD$51) for South Africans
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 1 hour

 

The Steps

  1. Drive up to the chain across the road, park on the right or left.
  2. Go to the police office just to the right of the immigration building. An official here will stamp your tourist card.
  3. Go to the immigration building and hand over your passport and tourist card. The official will stamp both and keep your tourist card.
  4. Go to the white aduana building across the street and hand in your vehicle permit.
  5. Go to the other police office next to the aduana building. The officer may ask some basic questions and ask to see your insurance for Peru.
  6. Drive across to Bolivia, under the arch, park just before the gate on the right or left.
  7. Go to the immigration building and fill out necessary paper work, hand in documents and pay fees.
    US citizens: Need one passport photo, a completed tourist card, a completed visa form (both available at immigration), a copy of your passport photo page and a whopping $135 in USD.
    South African citizens need: A completed tourist card and Bs360 (USD$51).
  8. The official will place a visa sticker in your passport and take all your money.
  9. Go to the aduana building up the hill (to the left of immigration), hand in the driver’s passport, vehicle title and a copy of each. The official will issue a vehicle permit.
  10. Go to the transito office on the opposite side of immigration. Someone will enter the driver’s information and vehicle information into a ledger and will stamp the back of your vehicle permit paper.
  11. Find a police officer to open the gate.

Note: The Bolivian aduana office closes between 1:00–2:00pm Bolivia time, this is 12:00-1:00 Peru time. Plan accordingly.

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Border Crossing Ecuador to Peru

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Ecuador to Peru Border Crossing

Border name: Huaquillas or Aguas Verdes

Closest major cities: Machala, Ecuador and Tumbes, Peru
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $8 for insurance, permit was free
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

 

The Steps

  1. Stop at the big white building on the left side of the road at least 5km before the border crossing. There is no sign when leaving Ecuador, but there is a big sign in the opposite direction that says “Migracion”.
  2. Hand over your Ecuador vehicle permit to an official person. You may have to wait for them to enter info in the computer. They just took ours and told us to get out of there.
  3. Follow the signs to the Frontera. Note the new border area completely avoids the town of Huaquillas.
  4. You will pass a huge set of blue and white buildings on your left. This is for persons entering Ecuador ONLY. Keep driving.
  5. Eventually you will see an identical set of blue and white building on your right. Drive in and park where instructed.
  6. An official at the door will give you a form for exiting Ecuador (if you didn’t save yours from when you entered the country) and another form for entering Peru.
  7. Go into the building and present your passports at the first desk, this is exit immigration for Ecuador. The official will keep your exit tourist card and stamp you out.
  8. Go to the next desk. This is Peru entry. Hand over your entry form and passport. They keep the form and stamp your passport.
  9. Continuing further into the building there is an aduana desk. The official will need to see the original of your title, driver’s license, and passport for the owner of the vehicle. He will also need a copy of these three things.
  10. Aduana will enter a bunch of info in the computer and issue you a permit.
  11. Go to the small SOAT insurance booth and buy insurance, unless you have a policy from home. The cost was $8 for one month. Check the expiration carefully.
  12. Head to the beach!
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Border Crossing Colombia to Ecuador

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Colombia to Ecuador Border Crossing 

Border name: Rumichaca
Closest major cities: Ipiales, Colombia and Tulcan, Ecuador
Cost for Visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 3 hours

The Steps

  1. Drive past the customs (DIAN) office and the immigration office to the giant parking lot. Park here.
  2. Go to the DIAN office and turn in your temporary permit. No stamps, no copies, just give the paper to the nice official.
  3. Go to the immigration window. Have your passports stamped for exit.
  4. Drive to Ecuador.
  5. Go through a military checkpoint, aduana (customs) and immigration are on your left, but the parking is probably closed off. Drive around to the back of the building and park there.
  6. Go to immigration and get your passport imprinted with a dot matrix printer. Be prepared for a long wait. we were in line for two hours.
  7. Go to the aduana office on the corner of the building.
  8. Hand in your title, the drivers passport and a copy of each.
  9. They will give you a vehicle permit in return.
  10. Drive to the nearest gas station and fill up on $1.50/ gallon gas. Woohoo!

Note: SOAT (Vehicle liability insurance) is NOT required for foreign vehicles. We did not buy it at the border and were never asked for it at police checkpoints.

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Border Crossing Costa Rica to Panama

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Costa Rica to Panama Border Crossing

Border Name: Paso Canoas
Closest Major Cities: Ciudad Neily, Costa Rica and David, Panama
Cost for Visas: $1 per person for Panama entry
Cost for Vehicle: $15 for insurance, $1.60 for copies
Total Time: 1.25 hours

The Steps

  1. Park next to the Costa Rican immigration office (it’s on the left side of the road when driving towards Panama).
  2. Go to the Salida window, fill out your exit card and hand over the exit form with your passport. The official will stamp and return your passport.
  3. Go around the back of the immigration building to the Aduana office.
  4. Explain that you want to cancel your temporary permit and you will be given a simple form to fill out.
  5. Fill out the form and hand it with the original permit papers and the driver’s passport to the official. He or she will want to go to your car to verify the VIN number.
  6. Back at the office, the official will cancel the permit, keep the original, and return to you the form you filled out with a stamp on it. This is your proof of cancellation.
  7. Get back in your car and drive to the Panama side. Note: If you need to change money, do it at the BCR bank in no-mans-land before you get to Panama. No other banks around will change colones.
  8. Drive under the right side of the dirty white covered building. You can park next to the curb on the left.
  9. Go to the furthest end of the building and you will see the windows for immigration entrada. If the line is short, go here first.
  10. Someone will approach you and ask for you passports, he or she will put a small sticker on a page in your passport. Cost is $1 per sticker. You can pay in colones but the exchange rate is not good.
  11. Give the official behind the window your passports. She/he will type in some stuff, take your photo, stamp and return your passport.
  12. Next, walk across the street to the insurance office. Hand over the vehicle title and drivers passport, a copy of both and $15. You’ll be issued two identical pieces of paper. One will be kept by aduana, the other is for you.
  13. Go back across the street and up the stairs to the Transito office. Hand over your insurance paperwork and the drivers passport. They will stamp the insurance papers and return them.
  14. Go back down stairs to the aduana window. The sign on the window actually reads “Captura y Manifesto”. You should see a piece of paper taped to the window that says “Turismo”, that’s the right line.
  15. The official will need your title, driver’s passport, a copy of both, and the two insurance papers. The official will enter a bunch of stuff in the computer and will return originals and one copy of the insurance. Also they will give you a vehicle import permit.
    NOTE: If you plan to ship your car to Columbia, triple check that EVERYTHING on your permit is correct. Especially that your VIN number is listed for both your chassis and engine number, and that your vehicle type is correct.
  16. Take your new permit to the random official guy with a clipboard who loiters outside the aduana window. (Don’t worry, he’ll probably find you.) He’ll inspect your car and verify the VIN number. He will also stamp your permit.
  17. Head out of the border area, make sure to drive through the fumigation area.
  18. In about 1 km you will be stopped at a military post and will have to show your permit, insurance and passports for everyone in the car.
  19. That’s all. Enjoy the four-lane highway and cheap beer.
Publisert

Border Crossing Nicaragua to Costa Rica

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Nicaragua to Costa Rica Border Crossing

Border name: Peñas Blancas

Closest major cities: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua and La Cruz, Costa Rica
Cost to exit Nicaragua:  C$67 Cordobas ($3 USD) per person ($1USD tax, $2USD for the stamp)
Cost for vehicle: CR$2175 colones ($4.50 USD) fumigation, CR$8365 colones ($17 USD) insurance
Total time:  2 hours
The steps:

  1. Stop at the small booth on the left side of the road. If it’s busy, park just past the booth.
  2. Give your passports to one of the guards out front. They will look at them, but not do anything.
  3. Give the vehicle permit to another man near the booth, he will scribble something on it and hand it back.
  4. Get back in the car and drive a short ways. Go past the set of buildings ahead and turn left. Then drive past the customs/immigration building and turn left again. Park here.
  5. Walk around the other side of the building to the exit immigration. At the small booth pay the $1 per person exit tax.
  6. Proceed to the immigration window. Fill out your tourist exit card. Pay another $2 fee to the official and he will issue a receipt. Keep all receipts!
  7. Head back to the other side of the building, and find an official in a while shirt with the DGA Logo. Hand over your Nicaraguan vehicle permit. He may want to check your car and/or verify the VIN. He will then stamp/sign/scribble on your permit.
  8. Next stop is to find a police officer, possibly in the building, possibly wandering around outside. The officer will add another signature and stamp to your permit. They may also inspect the car.
  9. Proceed to the small window on the corner of the building. Here another official with a DGA polo shirt will take your permit again. She will enter a few things in the computer and hand your uber stamped-up permit back to you.
  10. Get back in your car and haul it to Costa Rica before they ask for more stamps.
  11. When leaving the border area, an official at a small shack will ask to see all the passports and the vehicle permit. He will keep your uber stamped-up import permit.
  12. Stay to the right and stop at the fumigation booth. Pay the CR$2175 fee, and then proceed through the fumigation station.
  13. Continue to the big white immigration building on the left. Just past it, also on the left, is a good place to park.
  14. Go to immigration, fill out your entry cards and present the card with your passports to the official. Your passport will be stamped and returned. Now for the fun part.
  15. Look across the street at the small yellow building that says “aduana” on front. I know you want to go there. But don’t be fooled. This is not the aduana you are looking for (at least not yet). Get back in your car and drive about 300 meters to the “other” aduana or walk if you can stand the heat.
  16. Go to the insurance window on side at the far end of the building. Hand over the vehicle title, the drivers passport and license. Pay the fee, about CR$8365 ($17 USD)
  17. Go to the copy shop. Make sure you have one copy of the title and insurance paper. You will also need one copy of the passport photo page, immigration stamp, and driver’s license for every person that intends to drive the vehicle in Costa Rica.
  18. Now, get back in your car and drive back to the first aduana booth. The official here will take all of your copies and originals. He’ll ask you to fill out a form, and return your original and your copies with the form on top all neatly stapled together. He may verify your VIN or search your car.
  19. With the paperwork you have from aduana #1, drive back to aduana #2. Go through the doors at the very end of the building. Hand over the pile of paperwork you received at aduana #1. Enjoy the air conditioning.
  20. The official will enter more info into the computer and hand back a new piece of paper, this is your vehicle import permit.
  21. Stop at the small exit booth and show your vehicle permit to the guard. Get out of Dodge.
Publisert

Border Crossing Honduras to Nicaragua

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Honduras to Nicaragua Border Crossing

Border name: Guasaule
Closest major cities: Guasaule, Honduras and Somotillo, Nicaragua
Cost for visas: $12 per person
Cost for vehicle: $3 for fumigation. $12 for insurance. Permit is free.
Total time: 1 hour

The steps

  1. When you see a small shack on the left of the road with a guard. Go to the far left. It will look like a bomb recently went off in the area, and your intuition will be telling you that you are about to be mugged. Welcome to the Guasaule border.
  1. The guard will ask to see your permit and they wave you forward. I repeat, stay to the LEFT. Drive all the way to the back, past the sketchy buildings. In the back of the parking lot you will see two gray buildings.
  2. In the building to the left chances are the official will have moved his desk outside cause it’s too damn hot. That’s immigration. Give the hot grumpy dude your passport. Be nice, this has to be the worst border post on the planet.
  3. He will stamp the passports and return them.
  4. Wander aimlessly around the bombed out wasteland looking for customs. Finally walk to the back side of the building on the left (directly behind where immigration was).
  5. There is no door, just a bunch of windows. Finally, a smiley lady will tell you through the barred window that she is a customs (aduana) official. Hand over your original Honduran vehicle permit and the driver’s passport. She will keep the original permit and scribble on the stamp in the driver’s passport, effectively cancelling the permit.
  6. Then with a smile, she’ll wave you back to your car. Where you should go, immediately, before the bombing starts again (ok, just kidding).
  7. Drive back out of the parking lot, and head to Nicaragua.
  8. When entering the border area, stay to the right. There will be a fumigation area. Roll up your windows and get fumigated.
  9. Go to the window just after fumigation and pay the $3 fumigation fee. Keep the receipt.
  10. At some point you will need to buy mandatory insurance. For us this happened at the fumigation shack. It cost $12, and you can buy it from anyone with a clipboard, providing they don’t try to charge more than $12. He/she needs to see the driver’s passport and title. She will ask for 2 copies of the drivers’ IDs. Our insurance lady didn’t keep the copies, she returned them with the vehicle paperwork.
  11. From there, take a sharp left and park on the left side of the big parking lot. Look for the signs to migracion and aduana.
  12. Go into the long building on the left of the parking lot (hidden behind all the trees). Immigration is in front of the building.
  13. Hand over your passports, pay a $10 tourist card fee, and a $2 tax per person. They do accept USD and have an ATM in the lobby that dispenses USD and Nicaraguan Cordobas. Keep the receipt from the passports.
    NOTE: Be aware that, even though Honduras doesn’t respect the CA-4, all other countries count your time in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua cumulatively. You have 90 days total. No exceptions. We were reminded of this when we entered Nicaragua.
  14. Head over to the aduana counter. Hand over your title, drivers passport and drivers license. The official will want a copy of the driver’s documents but doesn’t need a copy of the title.
  15. The official will ask some random questions about the car and where you are going, then will issue a permit. Check the info on the permit carefully. Ours claimed that Kobus was from Sudan. Not far off from South Africa if you’re in Nicaragua, I suppose. The guard corrected without hassles.
  16. With the vehicle permit, tourist card receipts, fumigation receipt and insurance paperwork in hand, drive to the right past the immigration building.
  17. Just past the building, officers will stop and ask for all of the above paperwork and may verify your VIN. Then they’ll send you on your way to Nicaragua.
  18. Get to hostel, and have a mojito or six. Pass out. Do not repeat.
Publisert

Border Crossing El Salvador to Honduras

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

El Salvador to Honduras Border Crossing

Border name: El Amatillo
Closest major cities: Santa Rosa de Lima, El Salvador and San Andres, Honduras
Cost for visas: $3 per person
Cost for vehicle: $40. + ($3.90 for copies)
Total time: 1.5 hours
The steps:

  1. At least a kilometer before the actual border crossing stop at the white shack on the right, it’s just after the speedbump. The official will cancel your El Salvador vehicle permit. Make sure you have a copy that he can stamp, you will need that later because he keeps the original.
  2. Drive ahead about a kilometer. Take a left at the fork in the road, away from the pretty new bridge.
  3. Park on the right side of the immigration/customs building. Under the awning is fine, but try not to block traffic.
  4. Go to the immigration counter and present your passports. The official will look over your passports and give you a small white piece of paper with the number of passports written on it. Keep the paper. Your passport will not be stamped (just as it wasn’t stamped on entry).
  1. Make copies of your cancelled vehicle permit. You will need one to exit El Salvador and three on the Honduran side.
  2. Get back in your car and drive to the start of the next bridge. An official will likely stop to collect your white slip of paper saying you went through immigration.
  3. At the start of the bridge, another El Salvadorian official will collect a copy of your cancelled El Salvadorian permit. Drive over the bridge.
  4. Just over the bridge you will be stopped by a Honduran official. He will ask for your title and the passport and license of the person driving. If you have any doubt that this guy is an official (and not a tout) ask to see his ID.
  5. He will instruct you where to park, about 150 meters ahead on the right at the aduana (customs) building.
  6. The official will return the driver’s passport and send you to immigration.
  7. Walk over to immigration, pay a $3 entry fee per person, fill out your tourist card. Don’t leave immigration without a passport stamp, a receipt and a tourist card.
  8. Go to the copy shop. You will need three copies of: vehicle title, vehicle registration, driver’s passport (photo page), drivers license, driver’s passport page with the new Honduran stamp, driver’s tourist card and receipt for the tourist card and the cancelled El Salvador vehicle permit
  9. Take your stack of copies back over to the aduana (customs) building. The official will take your pile of copies and spend a good bit of time entering it into a computer.
  10. The official will add a vehicle import stamp to the driver’s passport and then ask for a fee (around $40) and will present a receipt.
  11. If it’s Sunday or a holiday fees are paid in person, otherwise you will be directed to pay at a bank nearby.
  12. You will need to go back to the copy shop and make three more copies of the receipt. The official will keep two copies. You will need the third copy when you leave the border area.
  13. Make sure you have all of your original documents, and the numbers on the permits match the VIN and driver’s IDs. Get back in your car and drive around the immigration building.
  14. You may need to stop for fumigation here. We saw the white sign with green letters, but no one was around, and no one ever questioned us. We drove on.
  15. In about a kilometer a guard will stop and ask to see a pile of paperwork. He will check the numbers and return everything except the copy of the permit receipt.
  16. Drive away slowly, and be prepared for the 14 police checkpoints between El Amatillo and the Nicaraguan border.
Publisert

Border Crossing Guatemala to El Salvador

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Guatemala to El Salvador Border Crossing 

Border name: San Cristóbal
Closest major cities: El Progreso, Guatemala and Santa Ana, El Salvador
Cost for visas: $0.
Cost for vehicle: $0. ($.60 for copies)
Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

The steps:

  1. Stop at the small booth on the right side of the road and tell the nice officials you need to have your vehicle permit cancelled. They will instruct you where to park.
  2. The SAT (permit officials) will remove the sticker from your car and double check the VIN and paperwork you received when entering.
  3. The official will walk you to the customs counter and present your paperwork to the officer.
  1. Before your paperwork can be cancelled your passport must be stamped. Go to Guatemalan immigration across the street and have your passport stamped.
  2. Return to the customs area and have your permit cancelled.
  3. Drive through to the El Salvador crossing.
  4. Go to the copy shop and make a copy of your Guatemalan cancelled permit. Also, make sure you have copies of your title and the driver’s passport.
  5. Park your car on the far right (not in the lane for immigration)
  6. Go to the customs windows (the first set), and ask for a temporary permit (permiso). They will need your title, drivers passport, and cancelled Guatemalan permit, and copies of all of these.
  7. Fill out a long form for your permit, you will need to know all the details for your car: VIN, CCs, type of car, color, cylinders, etc (in Spanish please).
  8. When you have your permit, go back to the copy stand and make two copies. You will surrender one when you leave the border. The other you will need when you leave the country.
  9. Drive into the main immigration lane. Wait in your car until your car is first in line.
  10. Present your passports. Immigration will stamp and let you drive through.
  11. Drive about 100 meters to the road block. Hand over both the original and a copy of your El Salvador permit. The official will keep the copy and return the original.
Publisert

Border Crossing Belize to Guatemala

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Belize to Guatemala Border Crossing 

Border name: Melchor de Mencos
Between cities: Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Belize and Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala
Cost to exit Belize: BZ37.50 ($18.75 USD)
Cost for visas: Q20 ($2.60 USD) per person (unofficially)
Cost for vehicle: Q18 ($2.34 USD) for fumigation, Q160 ($20.78 USD) for Vehicle Import Permit
Total time: 55 minutes

The steps:

  1. Go to the Belize immigration building.
  2. Pay the exit fee at the first counter.
  3. Have your passport stamped at the second counter.
  1. The driver takes the Belize vehicle permit to a third counter (the customs desk) on the side. Where the permit is cancelled.
  2. Passengers meet the driver on the other side of the customs checkpoint and proceed to Guatemala.
  3. First stop is the huge fumigation area. Your car is sprayed as you drive through. Pay the man upon exit and get a fumigation receipt.
  4. Walk to the open air customs and immigration building.
  5. Stand in the “Entrada” line. Get passports stamped and pay Q20 per person fee. There is no receipt for this fee, it isn’t official. And we probably could have argued our way out of it.
  6. Go to another man on the left side of the long counter. Present vehicle title, drivers passport and copies of both documents. He will give you a printed form with your vehicle information and the amount you have to pay.
  7. Go to the cashier window on the other side of the big building. Present the vehicle paperwork and pay the fee. The cashier will stamp the paperwork and return it to you.
  8. Go back to the vehicle import counter and show the official your stamped receipt from the cashier. He will issue you a permit sticker for your windshield and give you a paper permit and the receipt. He will keep the copies of your title and the drivers ID.
  9. Return to your car and affix the sticker, we were told on the top drivers side corner of the windshield, then drive towards the bridge.
  10. An officer will stop you and ask for your permit paperwork. He may take the paperwork to the side and consult with his gun toting colleagues. Then hopefully, he’ll return the paperwork and wave you through.
Publisert

Border Crossing Mexico to Belize

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.

Mexico to Belize Border Crossing  

Border name: Santa Elena or simply Chetumal
Between cities: Subteniente López (Chetumal), Mexico and Santa Elena (Corozal), Belize
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $5 USD for fumigation, $23 USD for 2 weeks insurance
Total time: 45 minutes

 

The steps:

  1. Go to the Mexican immigration booth, hand in your tourist cards and have your passport stamped.
  2. Go to the Mexican Banjercito and have your Vehicle Import Permit cancelled and your vehicle deposit ($200-400) refunded.
  3. Drive over the bridge.
  1. Stop at the fumigation area to have your car sprayed.
  2. Park in the marked lot outside the immigration building.
  3. Go to the immigration counter and have your passports stamped or visas issued.
  4. Go to the customs counter, present your vehicle title and get an import permit.
  5. Go back to the car and drive through the gate, an official may inspect the contents of your vehicle, the VIN and the plates to make sure they match the permit.
  6. Go to the Insurance office and buy mandatory insurance for the duration of your stay in Belize.
  7. Put the insurance sticker on your car windshield.
Publisert

Border Crossing USA to Mexico

I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely. Border Crossing USA to Mexico Border name: San Ysidro Between cities: Chula Vista, USA and Tijuana, Mexico Cost for visas: $20 USD per tourist card Cost for vehicle: $48 plus $200 USD refundable deposit Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes The steps:

If you’ve imported your motorcycle from Europe to the USA you must get papers on the border of the United States that the motorcycle will be exported from the United States. EPA Nonresident Exemption and copy of export papers must then be submitted to EPA Imports Line Exemption so that it will be deleted from the list.

  1. Drive through the border
  2. Clear Mexican customs (red light, green light)
  3. Find the Banjercito / Migración office
  4. Go to the Migración office and fill out the tourist card paper.
  5. Go to the Banco and pay the tourist card fee. The bank and Banjercito are the same place at this border.
  6. Go back to the Migración office with your receipt and get a stamp on your tourist card.
  7. Go to the copy shop and make copies of your vehicle permit and the vehicle owner’s passport, tourist card and green card (if applicable).
  8. Go back to the Banjercito line. Give them the official copies and originals of vehicle and driver IDs. Pay the vehicle import fee. Give them a credit card for the vehicle deposit.
  9. Affix the registration sticker to your car.