Hey all, I'm currently on the heart of Mexico, and about a week away from Cental America. Im on my KLR650 en route to Argentina. I think I have the basics of the border crossings down, but would love any advice people have from their recent experiences. I.e. best border points to cross at, best time of day or day of week to cross, new scams, etc. Any and all advice appreciated. Thanks guys!
Hi Funzo & welcome For theCA border crossings always pick those where you can have the required entry procedures done officially by the country you are leaving and by the country you are entering. Avoid crossings which have no customs personnel on duty.You might get in but you will be setting yourself up for lots of problems. Leave Mexico either for Belize at Subte . Lopez or for Guatemala at El Ceibo ( avoid Mondays) or at Cd Cuauhtemoc/ La Mesilla Mexican exit process is done 4 km before the actual border up the mountain If you go toGT VIA Mex 200 get the exit formality and TVIP refund done at the customs terminal at Colonia Viva Mexico on Mex 200 on the west side of Tapachula. I recommend that you use the crossing Northeast of Tapachula at Cacahoatan . Came through there on Sunday and it was a delight , very light traffic , no masses of big rig trucks nor so- called helpers chasing us as would be the case at the Cd Hidalgo crossing SW of Tapachula . Always time any border crossing to be in daylight .you donot want the sun to godown while you are in there That applies to every border anywhere Stay calm.grin and bear it and be ready for delays if buoads of travelers line up ahead of you. Only ONE border tossing in a day 😝 .
I had a fairly detailed write up on the border crossings from Mex to Costa Rica and the craptacular interweb took a dump and lost it all.... Kind of used to it. Crossed into Guate at Mesila, easy crossing and painless. Make sure you get your papers taken care of to get your 'deposit' back from Mexico. I used a card and was reimbursed within 3 or so days. Guate/El Salvador crossing was done at Hacienda Vieja/La Hachadura. Painless and pretty easy. Didn't take that long, but was late in the day when I crossed and drove part of the way to El Gulsnay in the dark. The El Salvador/Honduras crossing was a pain, almost 3 1/2 hours. Busy to say the least. When you're on the way to the Honduran side take the left fork to the border as the right fork is for commercial vehicles. It's easy to spot the 'fork'. As with any of the border crossings, bypass all the big trucks and get to the front of the line. I'm sure there will be a line. Being patient is the key at this border. You can go from El Salvador to Nicaragua in day. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to the Nicaraguan border the same day. I crossed into Nicaragua at Guasaule/Somotillo border. The road past Choluteca sucks as it's pretty cratered with pot holes, as though the road Honduras forgot. Not only are you trying to miss the pot holes, but cars that are trying to miss the pot holes. Fun ride though, but kind of slow going at times. The Honduras/Nicaragua border was pretty easy and relatively quick. insurance is obligatory in Nicaragua and is good for 30 days. You will be stopped when you get over the bridge. The border of Nicaragua and Costa Rica is kind of a pain, but not really that bad. You Need 2 or 3 signatures to leave Nica, from the aduana, inspection guy, and police. The Costa Rica side is ok but you need to drive about a block or so past migracion to the aduana which is a little road on the left past an office looking building. Leaving Costa Rica back into Nicaragua was pretty painless, but still those damn signatures. Make sure you get them or you wont get through. The border of Nicaragua into Honduras was quick and easy. Came through from Somoto, Nica kind of late and in total took about 45 minutes to an hour including the ride from border post to border post. Crossed back into Guatemala at El Guarinal to Esquipulas, Gt. Easy border crossing and the only hang up was we showed up around the lunch hour. The bank was closed making for about a 45 minute wait. Aside from that no problem. As with all of Latin America if you speak some Spanish it makes things easier. Patience and a good attitude goes a long way. I'm currently in Quetzeltenango, Guatemala not sure in a week or so, but send an email and let's have a beer. Cheers
