Driving US to Costa Rica

yeah id say a hi lux or new ford ranger

 

I flew to El Salvador and when I got there a couple were in a old VW bus at the so called locals only spot. I'm like "what's your story?" They're like "Oh just drove down from California".blah blah... "How was getting through Mexico? "No problem, broke down once, got help...I mean we're talking semi-hippy please rob me looking people here". Here I am feeling all adventurous and then talk about feeling like a *****...! Just kidding, this was in 2010. It can be done.

 

Check out the books written by Allen Weisbecker specifically "In Search of Captain Zero" This guy is a surfer from Long Island who has done the trip you are talking about and wrote a book about it. The book is great if you surf.

 

Question for those who have driven to CenAm and also crossed border with vehicle into TJ and maybe were not exactly visiting las Iglesias (churches) while over the border. Compare this drive (aside from clear disparity in length) to driving into TJ and rate the level of perils and list specific to each. I've seen sketchy and also sketchy as can be. Anyone done both? Or similar/comparable?

 

I just want to second all the "cautions" that have been posted about the dangers of driving to Costa Rica through Central America/Mexico. The ''bad guys'' have absolutely no qualms about using a gun to take care of a dog or you for that matter! Dead is a long time. The advice on checking the import duties is excellent I believe it can be up to or even slightly over 30% of the original purchase price of the vehicle. The problem about parts is not so much how much they cost, which is incredibly high but the fact that some times you just can't get them and I'm talking about in Hermosa. Forget finding a good mechanic to fix something really serious without taking it or towing it to San Jose. There is one guy in Hermosa who is pretty good and reasonably fair.PM me if you want and I'll give you the names and numbers of a couple of myfriends who have lived and worked down there for over 15yrs.

 

You should read In Search of Captain Zero by Allan Weisbecker if you haven't already. Get a dog and teach em Spanish and you'll be alright. The trip will be easier if you speak the language but not impossible otherwise. My advise to you is be careful passing through the big American cities as well, just as much chance, if not higher of being hurt than passing through central american countries unless you are actively seeking to hang out with people from the drug cartels. Plenty of adventurous souls have made the trek. You can surely hit some classic breaks along the way if you plan it right. Or you could just curl up in a fetal position, wait for death, and not set sail on what you want to do with your life. Salud my friend, a toast to living!

 

You should read In Search of Captain Zero by Allan Weisbecker if you haven't already. Get a dog and teach em Spanish and you'll be alright. The trip will be easier if you speak the language but not impossible otherwise. My advise to you is be careful passing through the big American cities as well, just as much chance, if not higher of being hurt than passing through central american countries unless you are actively seeking to hang out with people from the drug cartels. Plenty of adventurous souls have made the trek. You can surely hit some classic breaks along the way if you plan it right. Or you could just curl up in a fetal position, wait for death, and not set sail on what you want to do with your life. Salud my friend, a toast to living!

Just saw NJ Glides post which is all the more reason to read it!

 

I have been to CR on multiple occasions and have talked to a few guys who made the trek and was advised not to pretty much for all the reasons previously listed. My wife and I are in the slow process of making the move and have been told to buy a connex box and put everything in it, lock the sh!t out of it and pick it up in limon, but buy a used local car when you get there. We'll be sailing. I would check out the ex pat websites, im sure you can find first hand experience.

 

agreed, in search of captain zero was one of my all time favorite books, and it was all about his trip from Montauk to costa rica. you could probably get in touch with him on his website.he could be a wealth of knowledge on this subject. go for it,im jealous.

 

live your life

I had the pleasure and luck to drive to costa from the U.S. and back twice. me and my amigos survived both times! I felt more afraid in the U.S. after each trip and yearned to go back. tips I remember off the top of my head; it might take longer but go to less traveled borders once your in the south land(mex and south) it will save u money, use the youngest person you can to help u through the border(it will save u money and time), bring plenty of playboys to bribe anyone and especially cops, candy and stickers and anything for the kids. take your time and now that the things u will remember will be most everything other than the waves, ironically!!

 

If you go and if it's allowed, make a video of your adventure.

 

I drove all around Guatemala, Southern and Central Mexico in the late 90s, early 2000s and I never had any significant problems. At the time I was told to avoid Chiapas because of the rebels and to not go to Mexico City because of the violence, and to absolutely under NO surcumstances EVER take a cab in Mexico City if I did happen to be foolish enough to go there. Well we did all of those things and never had an issue. You need to be a savvy traveller and stay on your toes but if you talk to other travellers and locals, and treat people with respect then I think you'll probably be all right. I don't know anything about crossing the US border or parts for a Nissan, but I do know that back then selling a US vehicle in Costa or Guat was an extremely onerous procedure with so many taxes involved that it wasn't even worth it. So you may want to plan on being stuck with that truck if you take it down there. Best of luck. Be smart, have fun and vaya con dios.

 

a thousand bucks seems like a good deal compared to today.
http://www.costaricalaw.com/Customs-and-Trade/costa-rica-importing-a-car-how-much-are-the-taxes.html

 

get on the road tonight guys! good luck and god bless.

 

stay out of Texas. Unless you want to feel safe. Cuz terrist er everywherr in that state and they hate us for our freedoms.
[video=youtube;9ob7BDGx3Zo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9ob7BDGx3Zo[/video]

 

If I'm ever cavity searched for insufficient reasoning I will defecate and urinate all over myself and the invasive hand.

 

best to go thru Wisconsin. They'll protect you from dangerous critters.
[video=youtube;A-2fTv0Isvw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A-2fTv0Isvw[/video]

 

yeah, I waiting for some TSA hose pail to grab my junk. then I'll be flopping like a fish screaming, "you crushed my nards. I can't feel my legs. I need black sand therapy. Send my check to Maruchu Ramirez in Mal Pais."

 

Seemed appropriate.

http://vimeo.com/71617189