Crossing the border (frontera) from one country to another in Central America is relatively easy except going into Costa Rica. Driving the PanAmericana Highway from Guatemala to Costa Rica border crossings are relatively adventure free and relatively easy.

Costa Rica wanted to add to the uniqueness of their country not convenience.They decided for you another adventure if you are planning to travel by road.

This can take anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours +…

Driving your vehicle across becomes a little more complicated. Thinking about taking abother person’s vehicle… It would be a lot better if you did not do that.

For those who drive their vehicle the list below is very useful. If in your case there is no driving involved then just delete those parts having to do with vehicles.

Items required:

  • a couple of pens - in case one gives up on you
  • valid passport with current stamps
  • valid exit visa stamp if you are a resident of Nicaragua but not a citizen
  • valid exit documentation for your Nicaraguan vehicle should you be driving. At least, this can take a half a day to 2 days depending on your luck with the local officials. At the town where your vehicle is registered, this is given from a local Policia-.
  • valid vehicle registration card - circulation
  • proof of insurance for your vehicle
  • cedula - should you be a resident
  • valid drivers licence.
  • 3 photocopies of your passport (main page), vehicle registration, insurance certificate, exit visa for your vehicle, cedula, (include front and back side of all documents that have printing or stamps)
  • patience - generally more then usual - simply because you do not know what kind of adventure you are going to run into.
  • a spare batch of patience just waiting for the real fun adventures you may have.
  • a high dose of positive attitude and humor
  • plenty of small denomination bills - Cordobas or dollars (US) on the Nicaraguan side and Calones or dollars (US) on the Costa Rica side. Most believe you get a better exchange rate from the bank. This is true if you do not know how to deal with the coyotes. But for that you have to know the exchange rates.

Most times it takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour. If the traffic is heavier than the usual, it can tale longer at the boarder. Closely for each country there is an equal time.

Leaving Nicaragua:

First charge. Crossing the boarder for 4 people with a vehicle costs 80 Cordobas (about $4.00). Tax for the local town. The number of people in the vehicle being the determining factor.

By the time you have paid for the entrance into the boarder you must go to the offices where you obtain a free customs form. Where you see all of the buses lined up in the center - That is where the building is located. To register where you are from, where you have been and where you are going….

Have your Passport out and ready to fill the proper information out.   (most times the forms are generally bilingual both English and Spanish)

After you have the forms completed you must stand in line…

…Did I mention patience?

For the Migration officials to stamp your passport and send you on your final destiny. Non-resident’s cost $5. This could changed at any time.

IF you are traveling with your own vehicle you must also go to another office on the Nicaragua side.

On the Nicaragua side you will obtain an inspection paper from the local inspector; then if you are lucky and the Policia are close by you should have them sign off on the inspection.

With the vehicle inspection form signed off by both the

  • inspector and
  • Policia

you then get to stand in line to have the migration officer check for

  • properly signed vehicle inspection,
  • the proper registration,
  • insurance,
  • exit papers for your vehicle, and
  • driver’s license.

By the time they approve then you go to the next line to wait and have the Policia check for the proper registration, insurance, exit papers for your vehicle, and driver’s license.

Once all is approved you are then given a vehicle exit ticket to present and the migration exit post - the next stop.

At the exit, hand your exit ticket to the offical and proceed to the fumigation office. The charged will approsimately be 60 Cordobas. $4.00) and this for the spraying of your vehicle to disinfect it before going into Costa Rica.

Then, you drive to the Costa Rica boarder buildings and …

Join us for the rest of the adventure of crossing the border…Literally saving hours to other motorists! :)

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