Driving from Florida – Mexico

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  • #192601
    scrasie
    Member

    1)WE ARE DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO COSTA RICA,GUANACASTA REGION,anyone know the pitfalls?are there any dutys payable on belongings initially entering on a visitors visa?
    2)will customs question belongings on a visitors visa?
    3)Has anyone got past experience on the drive from southern mexico to Costa Rica Guanacasta region?
    4)Is it possible to get from southern Mexico to Guanacasta in a day?
    5)How long is it before vehicle has to be reg in Costa Rica? what insurance is advised.?
    6)What are the must haves to bring to Costa Rica by road?
    7)Where is good to stay on route?
    8)2 dogs as passengers fit and healthy any musts?? any probs???
    9)What not to bring?
    PHEW !!! lots of need to knows…would be so very grateful for your tips,ideas,experiences and advise. MANY thanks to all.

    #192602
    mmessier2
    Member
    #192603
    sammysdream
    Member

    We drove from Illinois to Costa Rica in January of 2008. I can tell you first thing that if you do not speak Spanish you should not take this trip. The borders take 3 to 5 hours. There are little kids there who want to help (for a fee of course) and they might rip you off or there are adults there who really want to help and will for a fee. It is almost a must to have help. Treat the border people like you would want to be treated and you will be fine. Always stay in a big city and at a gated hotel for your vehicle. Plan your day on this because you want to be in your hotel before dark. The gas was cheaper in Mexico than anywhere else. It is a wonderful trip. We took 9 days and there is no way you could make it in one day. We drove the secondary roads and not the toll roads so we could see the scenery. I would recommend this trip to anyone who speaks Spanish. We own a home one the Nicoya pennisula and have been going by plane for ten years. We hope to do this trip again in a few years.

    #192604
    costaricafinca
    Participant

    First off, it’s Guanacaste not Guanacasta.
    Secondly, I’ll second the motion not to try this without being reasonably fluent in Spanish.
    There is no way you can do this in a day, since half the day will be taken up at the borders.
    You you will have to pay duty on your belongings. You will not have to pay on a vehicle, at the time but you will need to pay it later if you ‘overstay’.
    You must have the proper papers for the dogs will all inoculations up to date. This alone will add extra time at the border.
    If, you are contemplating staying in Costa Rica, you will need the documentation from your home country.

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