Job Discussion Forums

momoflowjo · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

OK, so I am also the adevnturous type and am considering on driving my vehicle to CR from N.America. I don't nec. care about having a vehicle as much as I do taking my dog down there. Can anyone tell me if there is anyway around vehicle import taxes, having to change registration info etc. if I will only be there for around 1 1/2 years? If I hopped the border every three months, could I and my vehicle remain in CR for 1 1/2 yrs on a tourist visa? I will have a student Visa in Aug. for one year; could this help me with keeping my vehicle conveniently and legally in CR?
I read it takes one year to get a metal plate and that seems pointless if I am not going to be there an exceptionally longtime. Is it feasible and how can I jump through the hoops to possess a vehicle for a short amount of time w/out paying ridiculous fees?

I am sure some of you CR veterans have some incite to my questions.
Thanks, Amanda

John Hall · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 1:01 am Post subject:

I have heard of people driving from the U.S. down to Costa Rica, but they have been mostly negative experiences. Too much hassle from Mexican cops. Bribes to pay at the border crossings in Central America. Then there are all those problems with "The Mara" and other gangs in El Salvador and Honduras. Etc., etc. I think your biggest problem is going to be bringing a dog across the border in all those different countries; I don't think it would be allowed, unless you have arranged papers for each country.

I don't own a car at present, so I'm afraid I can't really answer those questions.

momoflowjo · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

Thanks for the input, I should prob. put my energy into flying Willow out there. But for anyone else who has details or knowledge about my post I am still interested in hearing your responses.

John Hall · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I would go with flying your dog down.

I'd also like to add that travelling through Central America is not a dog lovers delight. Far from it! You would see way too many abandoned half-starving, mangy mutts wandering around. Not to mention all the poor people living under similar conditions.

momoflowjo · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

I would imagine that border crossing with an animal could get sketchy. I do have to say that many of the feral dogs I saw in CR looked surprisingly good. I am well aware that conditions are much different (worse) for the rest of C. America. Teaching Eng. is just going to be a means to survive for me for a little while, but I am actually going down there to study and focus on issues such as poverty. I would never want to see only the sugar-coated side of a country and though the degree of poverty is very different for many countries, it is sad that it can be found everywhere.

zeddiez · Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 34

I've heard of one teacher taking his car from Florida to Costa Rica. He had to take his car on the 90 day border run. The car is only good for 90 days in Costa Rica from what I've heard