Panamericruiser - An Overland Journey through the Americas

[Ruined Adventures]

By the way, contrary to what it is being said often on the web, don't bother making tons of photocopies of all your documents thinking that you will save money/time at the borders. They always need copies of the receipts/stamps/permisio/etc that you got in the country or the one before - which you don't have back home... So no matter what, you are going to have to go make copies - it is impossible not to.

Would you say it's worthwhile to bring a small printer & paper? Or just make multiple copies of EVERYTHING after a border crossing? I've played with the idea of a printer, but I'd hate occupying precious space over something so trivial...RMP&O, care to comment also?

 

[Christian P.]

Would you say it's worthwhile to bring a small printer & paper? Or just make multiple copies of EVERYTHING after a border crossing? I've played with the idea of a printer, but I'd hate occupying precious space over something so trivial...RMP&O, care to comment also?

I will discuss this with RMP&O when I see him in Panama in a couple days....

Seriously, so far at each border there was at least one document/stamp that we had to have done on site - for instance a copy of your passport with the new entry visa in it.
So even if you have a copy of your passport, since it does not have the latest entry stamp it would not work.

We did indeed discuss having a small printer in the car, mostly as a joke. I think the trip to the local "FedexKinko" office is part of the process and trying to avoid it is more hassle than just accepting it....

 

[Christian P.]

We are in Granada, Nicaragua heading to Costa Rica today. Border crossing at Los Manos was a total breeze and driving through Honduras was a very pleasant experience - no hassle whatsoever. More details later...

 

[Scott Brady]

It is still a good idea to have a bunch of copies of the title, your drivers license and your passport and appear well organized and prepared - it sets a tone.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

we have heard from multiple overlanders that driving on the east coast is not bad, but the short stretch on the west coast (the one we used) is a nightmare.

Everyone has a different experience, even in the same border. I am glad you had an easy one.

 

[Christian P.]

Re: Photocopies.

Perhaps I should have been more clear - I was not suggesting not to make copies at all.
It is indeed important to bring copies of your documents with you.

We have a folder that contains high quality laminated copies of all our documents - title, registration, etc.

What I wanted to point out is simply this - do not expect to avoid the trip to the copy office by bringing a stack of extra copies with you.

We just crossed the Nicaragua - Costa Rica border about 1 hour ago and the same scenario repeated itself. The officer that delivers the permit wanted to have a copy of our passport with the "Entrada" stamp from the immigration ("migracion), which we had just received about 10 minutes earlier. He also wanted to have a copy of the "Seguros" (car insurance) we had just purchased. So of 4 copies that he needed, 2 had to be done on the spot.

So we still had to go to make these 2 copies. He also needed a copy of the title and registration, which you could bring with you if you want.

I personally prefer to keep my copies hidden away in the truck as a backup if necessary (in case of theft or if the office is close), and pay $.50 to a $2 to get new ones made on the spot.

The second reason why I point this out is to help people avoid frustrations. More on that on the next entries.

 

[Christian P.]

Copan and Honduras

We spend a day in Copan exploring the city and the ruins.

While in Copan, check out Via Via - it's the most popular bar/resto/hotel around

Going through the Eastern route of Honduras has been a very pleasant experience. The road is in decent condition and traffic is very light in general. It was ecstatic to ride the KTM through the mountains with the sun coming down.

All and in all it added a day to our a trip but it was really worth it.

Contrary to some other traveler's trip reports, we have had absolutely no problem going through Honduras.

The fact that the truck is rather "interesting" and that Shaun looks like a Colombian drug dealer means that we get stopped at every single check point.

However we did not have to pay one single bribe - in fact we never ever been asked for anything. The officer have always been very polite and shook our hands on several occasions.

It might be a pure coincidence but we have developed a few techniques which I strongly believe helps.

-Remove your sunglasses.
-Turn off the radio
-Keep the inside of the truck clean.
-Be polite and prepare to answer their questions.
-Push a couple good jokes.
-Show respect.

My take is that these officers are usually just doing their jobs. They are curious and interested in our story. We have not been searched once and always felt very welcome.

We were glad we decided to take this route...!

 

[1leglance]

I love the list of suggestions and agree completely...
being fun, nice, respectful and honest are prime rules for everyone in life, but especially travelers in other countries

 

[Christian P.]

Exiting Honduras and entering Nicaragua was again extremely simple.
I believe Los Manos is the way to go.

The process is pretty much the same everywhere:

-get exit stamp
-cancel car permit

-get entry stamp
-get car temporary import permit.

A couple interesting notes here:

-The car permit for Nicaragua was free. You can obtain it from the lady at the window next to the Expedition Portal sticker...

-There was an "exit" fee of a few dollar, for which I forgot to ask a receipt so I am not sure if it was legit.

-You need to get insurance. We got asked for in Nicaragua a couple time. It was $12 for 3 month.

-The cost for the tourist permit was $12 each. We got all the receipts for that and we confirmed it with other tourist

-Not one single copy was needed!

As previously posted, we have had no problem whatsoever. We had fun with the helpers - as they were running toward us and started offering their help, we asked them if this was the border to Mexico and Bolivia. That sort of confused them for a minute, just enough to take control of the situation.

To be totally honest, we were actually surprised how quickly everything went...we were the ones lagging!
We were bracing ourselves for a couple hours at the border but we were out after 45 minutes.

We even took a few minutes to chat with the local truck drivers before finishing our ice cream...

The main road in Nicaragua is in extremely nice condition and with virtually no topes!

We eventually reached Granada - at night as usual.

On the way, I had the chance to observe a bus being "attacked" by the locals...I must say that I have seen a lot of overcrowded buses in my life but it was the first time that I see the entire crowd jumping in it so quickly. Quite a spectacle.

Grenada was a very nice surprise - in some ways, better than Antigua I believe.

Oh, and Nicaragua is the epicenter for Land Cruisers in Central America...like this nice example:

We started the next day with a quick stop at San Juan Del Sur where we had lunch on a remote beach...too bad I did not have my longboard.

This beach is South of the main village and was remote and quiet...until about noon, when the local surf tour companies brings in dozen of backpackers to teach them how to surf.

It would be a great place to spend the night though, you would probably be alone there.

 

[Ruined Adventures]

Luis, Scott, & Christian thanks for the info. I understand the need to carry several hi-quality laminated copies, several of these copies definitely should stay locked inside the vehicle at all times.

I was more curious if a small printer would be useful for the copies you need "on the spot" like for receipts or recently purchased insurance. I've read on other trip reports where it's just very inconvenient to have them made, even having to drive several kilometers away. I suppose it'd have to be a printer that scans, or maybe a picture could be taken of the paper, then printed.

We are bringing a dog, which will add to the red tape & paperwork. I'd hate to need an "on the spot" copy, and not be able to make one. But please, if a mobile Kinko's is a completely ridiculous idea then feel free to say so :sombrero:

By the way, great pics Christian! We're following along with every post...:lurk:

 

[Christian P.]

Luis, Scott, & Christian thanks for the info. I understand the need to carry several hi-quality laminated copies, several of these copies definitely should stay locked inside the vehicle at all times.

I was more curious if a small printer would be useful for the copies you need "on the spot" like for receipts or recently purchased insurance. I've read on other trip reports where it's just very inconvenient to have them made, even having to drive several kilometers away. I suppose it'd have to be a printer that scans, or maybe a picture could be taken of the paper, then printed.

We are bringing a dog, which will add to the red tape & paperwork. I'd hate to need an "on the spot" copy, and not be able to make one. But please, if a mobile Kinko's is a completely ridiculous idea then feel free to say so :sombrero:

By the way, great pics Christian! We're following along with every post...:lurk:

No it is not ridiculous at all. Are-you driving all the way to South America?

So far all the photocopy places were functioning normally and really close to the office.

But it could indeed very well happen that one of these machines don't work and then you would have to go back to the village with the nearest one, which may or may not be close.

So far the only "inconvenient" is that we did have to wait one morning for like 1.5 hour for the office to open.

If I were traveling with a group of people - with several trucks - I would probably bring one with us.

And one more note on this topic - the people working there usually know exactly which copies you need. By mismatching your own copies with the ones that you need on the spot, it may make things even more confusing for everyone. Just handle your documents to them and let them do what they do best...



I seriously believe that the whole border crossing "trauma" is largely exaggerated.

The only real thing you need to bring with you is a bit of patience....as you will see in the next installment.

:sombrero:

 

[Ruined Adventures]

No it is not ridiculous at all. Are-you driving all the way to South America?...I seriously believe that the whole border crossing "trauma" is largely exaggerated. The only real thing you need to bring with you is a bit of patience....as you will see in the next installment.

Yes, we are going all the way thru South America...maybe even further depending on funds.

Sound advice, I will keep it simple and just rely on patience for now :sombrero:

 

[unURBAN]

Interesting discussion about bringing a small printer. We talked about the same thing, but concluded that it wouldn't be necessary. I guess we'll find out soon enough if that was the right decission.

But! I was looking for a nice small unit that could fit in the back of our car, but didn't really find any. Do you guys know of a unit that could be a good alternative? (just curious about size and features...)

unURBAN
E

 

[Scott Brady]

The printer really depends on the size of the vehicle. In an EarthRoamer - sure.

In a Suzuki Jimny - I will use the space to bring a stove and pot set

I will tell you from personal experience though, having a printer is a nice luxury. Certainly not a necessity, but nice if you have the space.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

I seriously believe that the whole border crossing "trauma" is largely exaggerated.

The words of someone who has not experienced a bad border crossing... YET. It will come my friend, it will come.

I agree though, patience and a smile are of utmost importance.

I was more curious if a small printer would be useful for the copies you need "on the spot" like for receipts or recently purchased insurance. I've read on other trip reports where it's just very inconvenient to have them made, even having to drive several kilometers away. I suppose it'd have to be a printer that scans, or maybe a picture could be taken of the paper

We considered a small portable Canon printer that digital warriors use, I even tested it out. Pretty nice. We thought about using it in combination with a Neatreceipts portable scanner, but in the end it proved an extra expense we could not bear. It would be nice to be able to print photos for people along the way, especially local kids who still love our digital camera. It would also be nice to have the scanner for receipts and hotel cards, even personal cards of other travelers we have met (I highly recommend making cards with your website and email).

I agree with Christian about using copiers at borders, they usually know all the copies you need and will automatically make them for you. We carry an accordion file with tons of copies of title, registration, drivers licenses and passports. All we usually need at borders is entry or exit stamp and insurance copies.