From San Cristobal we headed to Guatemala for our first Central American boarder crossing. The boarder crossing process varies from country to country but they all follow a consistent four step pattern.
Export the body (Immigrations)
Export the Moto (Customs)
Import the body
Import the Moto.
In Central America the borders are romantically called the “Frontier” or Fronterizo in Spanish. But there is nothing romantic or pleasant about them. The locals have discovered they can make money off of people from other parts of the world by helping them through the process. Most are unintentionally rude in their approach. They have to play on your fears and compete against the other helpers for your attention. Consequently, in 90 degree heat, a confusing mix of official and commercial activity and the drone of noises, they can get their victims to give in.
After doing a lot of research on boarder crossings, we decided we would run the entire Central American gauntlet without relying on helpers.
Getting out of Mexico, steps 1 and 2, was painless. We overlooked the need to stop at a bank in Mexico to pay the $25 USD visa fee. We were able to easily do it a the Banjicito Bank at the boarder. We also went to the office next door to cancel the $400 bond place on our credit cards. That was to reimburse the Mexican government if we later sold the motos in Mexico. We also got our passport exit stamp. In to Guatemala was step 3 and 4. It took a while because of the long lines, but we got through the process without using any helpers.
..and yes they make you pay for fummigating your vehicle as you enter the new country so you can't import the other countries nasties. Then it was off to Huehuetenago Guatemala for the night.
1 comment:
Once again, a great blog report. I was hoping you'd talk about the border crossings in Central America and you did. Having been through the Mexico process several times, it looks like the other countries aren't too bad.
The picture of the smoke above the volcano is fantastic!
Post a Comment