Board Crossing In Costa Rica.

Oh No!!!!

Good roads bring everybody!

Looks like Ill have to bump up the schedule on this run...

Spittlehill - I'd love to have some more detail of what there is on the Nica side. I live in CR, have a bike plated here, and have done all (three) border crossings into Panama but though have visited Nica am yet to ride across as the Main Crossing is a zoo. Any fotos or inside tips would be most appreciated of what is to be found on the East side of the lake and / or that side's ferry run (San Carlos?) to Ometepe (a fantastic Island - try the beach of Choco Verde at sunset- carbon and quartz as "sand").

If you are to be in Quepos M/A area, beer on me for a personal run down of the scoop. If you like the dirtier side of dual sport I'll share some personal CR routes as well.

PM for contact details

I'll be down that way late Jan., any chance you can get insurance for Costa Rica online before hand?

Just for your information there is a bigtime border dispute going on between Costa Rica and Nicaragua right now on the Caribbean side. Nicaragua has landed armed troops on the Costa Rican side of the San Juan river. I don't know for sure but I doubt you can get through until it has been settled. Look into it before you head that way.

We didn't do too much riding apart from the road, but this road does continue down to the coast for about 20 miles.

Sadly, you can not get insurance online, so I had to do the main crossing to get this. The alternative way on the chicken bus didn't sound appealing.

"bigtime border dispute going on between Costa Rica and Nicaragua right now on the Caribbean side"

lol, that was because one side was using google maps as their official map. This died down as quickly as it started, with some very red faces....

Would any Adventurer know the insurance requirements/availibility for a CR registered bike heading North into Nicaraugua and doing so at this crossing?

slightly off topic:
As far as the Border "dispute", yes it is related to a Google map reference for the National limits; the map was incorrect. The circumstances for the disagreement may be a bit more complex however. It deals with dredging through an island clearly within the territory of Costa Rica (with env. impact concerns) to possiblly offer an shorter access to the Rio San Juan, which is one of the only rivers in the World claimed as fully for right of passage/control of only one of the neighboriing Countries. Nica troops, flags, dredging equipment, ex-Nica rebel leaders, funding by Pres. H. Chavez, and National fervor on the part of the neighbor to the North are all in play. Costa Rica has declined to intervene in any physcial way and instead is looking for peaceful resolution in front of the World Court / Hague. There doesnt seem to be any threat/issue to travelers to either Country other than some travel restrictions to the exact zone (Atlantic/Carrib. side). For some reason it gets very little play time in International news but more can be found on www.amcostarica.com , a webbased english newspaper here, for those interested.

Any more news on this I am looking forward to riding around the lake or the ferry to the center on my way back North later this year.
I forget if insurance is mandatory in Nicaragua

Sounds like a good ride and an even better boarder crossing.

When we did the crossing we went from Los Chiles Costa Rica to San Carlos Nicaragua. I did this on Christmas eve. Last boat with no insurance. You do have to have insurance so when we got to the nicaragua side. I stayed with my bike and my girl went by taxi to get insurance (she speaks Spanish). They where closed so we went without.

At San Carlos fuel is $4.00 per gallon and the next fuel stop is 77 miles north. There is nothing, NOTHING during those 77 miles. Good news $1.00 per gallon up north for fuel. There is only 3 ok hotels at San Carlos and NON have hot water. Food was good and people where nice.

It's a cool trip but the other guys are right. The super highway is coming. When leaving San Carlos you will thing this can not be the road but yes it is. Then it turns into a gravel free way 10 lanes wide with almost no bends. I was going about 80mph average with my girl like nothing. It kind made me sad so see another highway like in the states. It's a cool trip I will do again.

I'm from the states but now call Play Del Coco, Costa Rica home. Anyone needs a place to stay or help send me a message.

Chris Fischer

I will keep this in memory and probably take you up on the offer when I finally get turned around and start heading North again. Thanks for the info. I bet a person could get all the way around the lake with out getting checked for insurance going from CR to Nic

I did make it all the way around the lake. Then back home to Costa Rica. The boarder people did not want to let me go without insurance. But is was Christmas Eve night (about 5pm) and that was the last boat. They had to let me go or let me sleep in there office. They let me go.

I just found the trip a did in Every Trail Program. Forgot I had it. Check it out it's a good ride and a cool program. I did not track the 1st day but still came out good.

http://www.everytrail.com/fullscreen.php?trip_id=916432&code=cbb68bc91d85c574a57429e0d321bfc4

Thanks for the link man, nice little loop! I guess I should go down to the main PanAm border and pick up some insurance and then back up to the other fun crossing and head North. I will be planning on this one, maybe see you around in a few months.

John in Cartagena for just a little bit longer...

Hi guys,

we are 3 guys on 2 motorcycles considering the San Carlos - Los Chilos border crossing going from Nicaragua to Costa Rica in a few days.

We were wondering if now it is possible to buy CR insurance right when you get off the boat or you still need to take the bus all the way to the big city and then come back.
Are there any other news about this crossing?