Nicaragua-Realty.com

You have the exit visa for yourself and your vehicle. You have a valid passport and you assume crossing the border should be a snap. But not so fast! After all this is Central America....

The following step by step instructions should save you time and aggravation.

PREPARATION of DOCUMENTS

Make three sets of photo copies (Both sides) of the following

• Drivers license
• Circulacion Vehicular
• Insurance
• Your Cedula or Passport

(I put all of this on one sheet to reduce paperwork.)

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST 3 COPIES OF THE VEHICLE EXIT VISA PLUS THE ORIGINALS. The pink copy of that visa will be taken from you at the border. The white original will be given back to you. DON'T lose it!

CROSSING Nicaragua - Costa Rica

Nicaragua:

1. You have passed the long line of trucks blocking the driving lane in the southbound direction. (I hope you have because if you lined up behind the last truck you are in for a long wait....)
2. You can see trucks and cars entering a gate on the left hand side of the road. That's where you want to line up. At this point, someone will likely demand that you pay a municipal tax of one dollar per person in the vehicle. Just pay them, this is legit. I always ask for a receipt and they will gladly give you one.)
3. When you reach the booth at the gate, you will be asked to show your passport. It will be inspected (For what I have no idea...), and you will receive a form for you vehicle. Don't lose that form!
4. After you leave that gate, turn left, drive around the block of Duty Free stores on your right and keep to your right. You'll see a large platform for the bus passengers in the center of the Customs Yard. This will be on your left. Straight ahead you will find a row of vehicles lined up. This is where you want to park.
5. Now it is time to wait for the Customs Inspector. This is also the time when dozens of helpful people will harass you to hire them. They will promise you anything from getting you across the border in 5min to getting you car washed. I suggest you send them all away.
6. After the Customs person inspects your vehicle and signs the form you received at the gate, it is time to look for the police officer on duty. Now this could be interesting since they could be anywhere on the property. However, once you find him/her you are almost home free.
7. Now you need to get the paperwork for the vehicle processed. Enter the building in in front of your vehicle. (The bank is in the same building.) Go past the bank and take the corridor on the left. You'll see people lined up in front of several tellers. Start at the left hand teller. Your paperwork will be accepted there, processed by one or two other persons and finally emerge stamped and ready to allow you out of the country at the right hand teller.
8. Now that you have looked after the vehicle, you need to get your passport stamped for exit. Line up at the appropriate window on the Bus Platform.<

You are now ready to move your vehicle. When leaving the inspection area head toward Costa Rica you will encounter a Inspection Booth where your Passport will be checked for the exit stamp. Adios Nicaragua!

Costa Rica:

1. After leaving Nicaragua you encounter a fumigation station. Stop at the office, pay for the spraying and drive through the station. Then keep left and make a right turn at the stop sign. Follow the road until you see the customs building on your left. Park in front of that building.
2. Enter this building (Pray there isn't a 2 hour lineup..), and get your passport stamped.
3. Your next stop is the insurance office. It is located next to the bank in the same building you get the PP stamped. Purchase the insurance there. Don't forget to have them make a copy of the page with the CR entry stamp. You'll need that at your next stop.
4. Now it is time to get your vehicle inspected by CR Customs. Cross the road and obtain your vehicle form from the customs officer. (Not in Uniform !!!!)
5. Complete the form and return it with a set of copies of your documents plus the copy of the entry stamp in your PP. The officer will check all the documents, inspect your vehicle and send you on to the next stop.
6. Now you need to follow the large trucks to the commercial customs area. Look for the processing dock with many tellers. Line up where is says Tourists or something similar. These tellers are the ones on the right. If you can't find, just ask anyone of the commercial drivers. They are usually super helpful and will even get you to the front of the line.
7. After you receive your CR permit and a little paper stub to get you past the exit, you are ready to leave but don't put that CR permit away just yet.
8. Follow the truck route toward the exit and head to the gate. There you turn in the paper stub, show your insurance slip and you are on your way.

Enjoy the experience.