Vehicle choice

[alanymarce]

How did I forgot that.. 13% of the original cost tacked on. How I ever miss the mid 2000's when our dollar was near par with the Americans

The FX is irrelevant - when the CAD was par with the USD, the actual prices were different. If Canada switched to the Yen, it wouldn't mean that things would then cost a hundred times more than when they were priced in CAD.

 

[Joe917]

This is always a discussion; FIA recomends one for Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, United States of America, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Now, I'm not disputing that you can probably get into most, if not all, of these without one but the carnet simplifies the process, and avoids the possibility (which is real) of having to provide a deposit for a temporary import. There are local practices which permit some cross-border movement easily (in betwen the USA and Canada for example, or within MERCOSUR). We've used a carnet to enter every country in South America except Brazil (which uses a TIP) and the "Guianas", and recommend getting one, It's a cheap and effective way to avoid what could be a hefty deposit.

Just back from Columbia,Ecuador,Peru,Chile,Argentina,Brazil,Bolivia and Uruguay. Carnet not required.
Wiki Overland : "No Country in North, Central or South America requires a Carnet for entry with a vehicle. "