Border crossings are a two step process: first you exit one country and then you enter another. Exiting should not cost anything and entering should cost no more than $40 U.S. There are usually two major steps to entering, immigration and the vehicle permit. You will need your original vehicle title to bring your vehicle across borders. Also, it's a good idea to have at least one copy of your title for each crossing. Mexico is the only country that requires you to purchase auto insurance. You can do this right at the border, although we purchased ours ahead of time from Vegabundos.

When passing through Central America, it's usually worth hiring one of the guys that hound you the minute you get near the border crossing. We usually pay them about $5 for the help.

 
MEXICO TO GUATEMALA (La Mesilla)

The La Mesilla border is the easiest and most lax border. Mexico was the only place where we did not exit. Our tourist visas and vehicle permit were good for 180 days and we assumed that we would be back within that time frame. The good news is we were back in time and had no problems upon our return. After exiting Guatemala, we drove straight through as there was no inspection. We paid $5 for fumigation and kept driving.

Entering Guatemala is fast and simple. First pass through immigration on your right, and then present your original title at the next window. They will type up a SAT and tell you to pay about $25 at the bank window next door. Place the SAT sticker on your window and present your paper work to the border police.

When traveling in the opposite direction, you will be inspected for fruit a few kilometers before the Mexican border.

 
GUATEMALA TO EL SALVADOR (Hachadura)

A. Exit Guatemala
1. Get passport(s) stamped at immigration.
2.Pay 100 Quetzales and obtain another type of SAT for intra-border crossing within El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua at the small kiosk on right, just before the border crossing. Some people refer to the intra-border SAT as the "gia." Also ask for at least one photo copy of the new gia SAT.
3. Make 2 photocopies of your old SAT, that you got when you entered Guatemala, at second kiosk on your right, just across from immigration.
Don't be surprised if someone approaches you and demands payment for permission to leave the country. This is not necessary and you shouldn't pay.

B. Enter El Salvador
1. Go to Immigration to have passport stamped and buy a tourist visa for $10 U.S.
2. Go to Customs with the new gia SAT, your vehicle title, plus one copy of the title, passports and visas. Customs will sign and give you two new copies of the new SAT.
3. Just past the gate, stop at the police desk on left and give them a copy of the new SAT.
4. Pay $9 U.S. at Collectivo and get a recibo (receipt).
5. Go to police officer, just outside of the Collectivo for your car inspection. He should sign one copy of the gia SAT.
6. Give the signed copy to the police booth just around the corner from the Collectivo. They'll keep one copy and stamp the other for you to show at the gate.
7. Go to El Salvador gate, they'll look at all the documents and keep the second copy of the gia.
This took us about 2 hours.

 
EL SALVADOR TO HONDURAS (El Amatillo)

We hired a guy named Carlos Gunera who help us tremendously at the border crossing into Honduras. He only asked for $5.00 to help. Without him, we would have never figured out all the copies, stamps, and people with authority to move us to the front of the line. This took us about 1.5 hours.

The sign pictured below, left, describes exactly what is required when entering Honduras.

 
HONDURAS TO NICARAGUA (Guasaule)

Avoid the Guasaule border if you can. It was full of crooks and corrupt officials working together for bribes. Upon entering Nicaragua we hired a crook who took over $100 of our money in bribes for himself and his friends. Finally, Marty had enough and got us out of there before he tried to swindle some more with a fake police inspection. You should not pay more than $40 U.S. for any border.
This took us about 2 hours.

Regardless of where you cross, the Nicaraguan police are well known for their corruption. We were pulled over one many occassions and ended up paying a couple $20 bribes just to keep going and not deal with the hassle, although we had done nothing illegal. However, if you have the time and energy, you can always talk your way out of it through the art of negotiation.

Try to cross at El Espino or another border if you can. Not only is the border a bit less shady, the roads are ten times better, which will save you even more time getting to Managua. Nicaragua offers the best and the worst roads. While the road from Guasaule to Managua was like swiss cheese with deep pot holes, the northern route, through Estelí and Somoto, was paved with fresh black top.

Also, on the way back into Honduras from Nicaragua, I took a picture of this sign (below, left) that clearly describes what to expect when entering Honduras.

 
NICARAGUA TO COSTA RICA (Peņas Blancas)
The border crossing into Costa Rica was pretty simple and only took about an hour. We also learned that Costa Rica does not require the gia SAT. Roll up your windows, your vehicle will be fumigated before entering Costa Rica.
 
COSTA RICA TO PANAMA (Paso Canoas)

Crossing between Costa Rica and Panama is very easy. U.S. citizens have to pay an additional $10 for tourist visas. Immigration and vehicle inspection offices are located right next to each other.

Unfortunately when we were returning to Costa Rica, I had just finished some light grocery shopping in Panama. Upon inspection, they found potatoes, which were not allowed. So, I offered them to the inspector. Instead of taking them, he helped me peel them on the spot, and allowed me to carry them into Costa Rica peeled. Roll up your windows, your vehicle will be fumigated before entering Costa Rica.

 
 
 
[Home] [About TWR] [Map] [Logs] [Photos] [Trading Post] [Ask Us] [Affiliates] [FAQ] [Links] [Site Map] [Privacy] [Contact Us] [Join]