After only one night in El Tanque Rojo, Nicaragua it was time to go to Jaco, Costa Rica on a riding day of only 230+ miles (377 kilometers) a trip which took me all up around eight hours.
Even though I was early approaching the border at Peñas Blancas I encountered quite a lot of traffic and the usual hordes of “helpers”. However, I was getting a lot more comfortable now, but still for $10 was worth hiring a guide to get me through.
I met a few other adventure riders here. One great little family from the USA (Father, Mother, and Daughter) and heard all about their little adventure south. Great family, inspiring!
I had a really good day riding today, although my front tire was still leaking at about 1 PSI an hour, which needed extra air about every 6 hours or so.
The bike was running well though and had not seemed to have suffered from its little”off road” adventure the day before.
By the time I reached the border, I still had a good 6 hours riding to get me to Jaco, Costa Rica.
This border crossing was filled with tourists and had a little bit of a carnival feel to it.
The border crossing occurred in mid-November 2016 on a KTM 1290 Super Adventure Motorbike. I headed for the Peñas Blancas crossing and got there around 10 am.
Leaving Nicaragua
- Make your way past all the truck traffic and drive up keeping to the center lane. You will be stopped by a security guard to check your passport and then pointed ahead.
- You will see a big building on the right side with parking on the far aside. Park right out front (another far/side of the building) and head back around the other side of the building where you will see an entrance.
- First, you need to pay a stupid processing fee (I think that is what they called it) $1 USD at a booth on the left as you go inside (you get a little docket).
- Then get in line and wait to get processed for the exit in your passport. You will also get a customs declaration form. Complete this form and go to next step.
- The next step is for an official to check over your bike (there were about 4 of them waiting). They will then stamp your declaration form.
- With this, you then go into the next room with desks and chairs (pretty empty otherwise) which is the Aduana area, show your passport and stamped import paper (which they will keep) and you are free to go. Now drive through all the trucks and people and go to Nicaragua border building.
- Total Time was 45 minutes and $1 USD Processing Fee
Entering Costa Rica
- As you approach the Costas Rica side you just have to remember there are three areas you need to go to in total. First, is left-hand side building which is customs and on the right is a “shack” for your vehicle “Aduana”.
- Go to left building first. Get stamped into Costa Rica
- Then go across the road to Aduana and get vehicle import form and complete it and hand it back in for processing.
- Then you have to go to the third building for insurance. This was the longest wait. You also need to get a copy of your stamped passport and also your import document before purchasing insurance. There is a copy machine right nearby. They will point you in right direction.
- Once you have copies got to insurance booth window and wait for someone to serve you. There were a lot of people there doing nothing!
- The cost of insurance for me was $20 USD for one month (even though I was only staying 2 days.
- Get on your bike and go. You will have a checkpoint about 100 meters up the road. They will want to see Passport Stamp, Import Permit, and Insurance.
- Total time was 1.5 hours on Nicaragua side and $20 USD for Insurance. Now to get to Jaco, Costa Rica!
Jaco, Costa Rica
Jaco is a town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, southwest of the capital city, San José. It’s known for its surf beaches and nightlife, and as a gateway to national parks. Rocky, gray-sand Jacó Beach is west of town. Southeast, Hermosa Beach has big waves. To the north, Carara National Park has crocodiles at Tárcoles River and scarlet macaws. Nearby, a path through rainforest leads to Bijagual Waterfall. From Wikipedia
Oceano Boutique Hotel & Gallery, Jaco
I stayed at the Oceano Boutique Hotel & Gallery in Jaco. This hotel was about 500 meters from the main strip and quite a new hotel. Service was really good, rooms were lovely and I even had a little spa bath on the balcony (good for washing my riding gear) Again, Wifi was just average. I only had one meal here, and it was only average.
They had security 24/7 and I was able to park my bike right out the front. The bedding was nice and aside from the street noise, it was a cool place.
It has a nice little swimming pool and dining area as well. I stayed 2 nights in Jaco. Which is a very touristy town.
- I have a USA Registered Motorcycle
- 100% Owned by Myself (No Loan)
- 3 Copies Australian Passport (+Original)
- 3 Copies Title (+Original – If you do not own, get letter from owner)
- 3 Copies Registration (+Original)
- 3 Copies Drivers Licence (+Original)
- Vehicle Import Permit + Copy
Leaving Nicaragua
- Make your way past all the truck traffic and drive up keeping to the center lane. You will be stopped by a security guard to check your passport and then pointed ahead.
- You will see a big building on the right side with parking on the far aside. Park right out front (another far/side of the building) and head back around the other side of the building where you will see an entrance.
- First, you need to pay a stupid processing fee (I think that is what they called it) $1 USD at a booth on the left as you go inside (you get a little docket).
- Then get in line and wait to get processed for the exit in your passport. You will also get a customs declaration form. Complete this form and go to next step.
- The next step is for an official to check over your bike (there were about 4 of them waiting). They will then stamp your declaration form.
- With this, you then go into the next room with desks and chairs (pretty empty otherwise) which is the Aduana area, show your passport and stamped import paper (which they will keep) and you are free to go. Now drive through all the trucks and people and go to Nicaragua border building.
- Total Time was 45 minutes and $1 USD Processing Fee
Entering Costa Rica
- As you approach the Costas Rica side you just have to remember there are three areas you need to go to in total. First, is left-hand side building which is customs and on the right is a “shack” for your vehicle “Aduana”.
- Go to left building first. Get stamped into Costa Rica
- Then go across the road to Aduana and get vehicle import form and complete it and hand it back in for processing.
- Then you have to go to the third building for insurance. This was the longest wait. You also need to get a copy of your stamped passport and also your import document before purchasing insurance. There is a copy machine right nearby. They will point you in right direction.
- Once you have copies got to insurance booth window and wait for someone to serve you. There were a lot of people there doing nothing!
- The cost of insurance for me was $20 USD for one month (even though I was only staying 2 days.
- Get on your bike and go. You will have a checkpoint about 100 meters up the road. They will want to see Passport Stamp, Import Permit, and Insurance.
- Total time was 1.5 hours on Nicaragua side and $20 USD for Insurance. Now to get to Jaco, Costa Rica!
Notes:
Make sure you have multiple copies of all documents for all border crossings. Also, keep USD with you and try to change money with money exchanges at the border if you do not have local currency for the country you are entering.
Just get enough local currency for fees, fuel, and food!
Know the total cost You and bike both sides) before you enter any border. Helpers in many cases will try to scam you.
Total Cost Both Borders: $21 USD.
