I want to drive to Colombia

[elcolombiano]

I would like to drive to Colombia from the US in November. The
plan would be to enter Mexcio through El Paso, TX. Then dirve
through Guatemala, Nicaragua,Costa Rica and Panama. I would
have to take a boat from Panama to Colombia as the Panamerican
Highway is closed south of the canal into Colombia.

Does anyone have any experience doing this. How much is the
insurance in each country? What bonds do I have to post to enter
the vehicle in each country. What is the process of doing this?

[david hagar]

... in response to I want to drive to Colombia, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 13, 2005

I have always wanted to drive the highway from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina. That would be an adventure that I would never forget

Beattledog

[Malandro]

... in response to Re: I want to drive to Colombia, posted by david hagar on Aug 14, 2005

have you seen the movie?

[elcolombiano]

... in response to the Motorcycle Diaries, posted by Malandro on Aug 15, 2005

Yes I saw the movie. I am a BMW motorcyle rider and we have an owner
magazine that has published numorous articles on cycling America. I even saw
pictures of the bike on a canoo in the Darian Jungle between Panama and
Colombia. Also as a  teenager I dreamed of doing it by bicycle.

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: the Motorcycle Diaries, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 17, 2005

I ride a BMW also, are you in the club?  If so, contact a member in each country of the member directory and they'll fill you in on all the customs details and such. Good luck -TNC

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Re: Re: the Motorcycle Diaries, posted by thundernco on Aug 17, 2005

Great idea. Thanks.

[david hagar]

... in response to the Motorcycle Diaries, posted by Malandro on Aug 15, 2005

no, I have not

Beattledog

[pablo]

... in response to Re: I want to drive to Colombia, posted by david hagar on Aug 14, 2005


Mark McMahon did exactly that and wrote about his adventures.

Here is his web site:

http://www.liveyouradventure.com/

[thundernco]

... in response to I want to drive to Colombia, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 13, 2005

how is your marriage, life going?  Please give us an update. -TNC

[elcolombiano]

... in response to More importantly EC,, posted by thundernco on Aug 14, 2005

Yazmin, just got her 2 year green card. She is looking for a job and taking a
summer break from full time ESL classes. If anyone has any suggestions for
employment please let me know. A lot of employers in my area will not even talk
to you unless you have US work experience.

The trip to Colombia by car is an adventure I have always wanted to do. I am
amazed at the lack of information on the subject on the internet. What I am
most worried about is customs officials at the borders asking for unreasonable
bond requirements or fees to enter my car in to their country. If you stay on the
main toll roads and travel only durring day light I don't forsee other major
problems. I am also considering getting to Colombia by going to Costa Rica then
flying to San Andres and then on to the main land.

[doombug]

... in response to Re: More importantly EC,, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 14, 2005

Have her use the services of a temp. agency.

I guarantee you they'll find her something, and probably very quickly.

My ex-novia from Mexico used temp. agencies a lot, and at a time when she was still learning English.

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: More importantly EC,, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 14, 2005


in a hospital, nursing-home or a child-care center. It'll provide your wife with invaluable networking contacts & work experience.

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: More importantly EC,, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 14, 2005

Good for you EC, glad to hear things are going so well.   Which area do you live in, I think it was SoCal but I may be wrong?  -TNC

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Re: Re: More importantly EC,, posted by thundernco on Aug 14, 2005

We live in Redondo Beach, 5 miles south of LAX

[Pete E]

... in response to I want to drive to Colombia, posted by elcolombiano on Aug 13, 2005

You are lucky the Pan American Highway is closed going in to Colombia.The Darrien Gap area is about the LAST place anybody should be driving.Gurrilla central.
I presume this is for adventure?Its quite an undertaking.Lots of time and expense I think.And  off course you have to remove the car from Colombia and post a bond you will,no used cars are allowed to be imported in to Colombia.I'm not sure how long they will let it stay,but for a vacation time OK I think.
The sister of a friend of mine was working in Ecuador,something helping the people.She drove a motorcycle with a teenage Ecuadorian kid on the back from Ecuador to the US.I guess it was quite well known at the time,60's or 70's I think.Probably alot safer then,although things have been improving the last 3 years or so.

Pete