Getting across this border on my motorbike into San Salvador was supposed to me a nice riding day in the gorgeous sunshine. I headed for the Terrestre Las Chinamas border crossing at first light. I chose this border because it was supposed to be not as busy. On arrival, I was told that the border was closed because of a strike and I had to go back and reroute north to the Aduana Terrestre San Cristóbal.
Not the start to the day I wanted. Adding an extra 2 hours to my journey. I was also going to now arrive at the border around midday, so, it could not be a worse start to my border crossing by motorcycle.
Leaving Guatemala
- The first thing you will need to do is take your bike right up to the bike the big blue building in the middle. Stop there.
- Then you will need to get an exit stamp on your passport at the counter. (you will also get a small docket, make sure you do not lose it as you will need it when you enter El Salvador.
- After you have your passport stamped head to the Audiuana and get your import permit canceled. For some reason, they also want copies of your title, rego, license, and passport. Keep all documents they give back to you ready for El Salvador and don’t forget docket.
Entering El Salvador
- As you enter El Salvador, you will find a booth on right side and a few officials outside waving you in to stop. They will ask for the copies from Guatemala side.
- You will need a copy of Passport, Title, Registration, License to enter.
- Hand over copies of documents and they will check over your bike (VIN etc)
- He then went somewhere for over an hour and told me to wait by bike, it was horrendously hot and people were coming up to me all the time trying to skin me of my money. I ended up paying a kid $5 USD to tell them that he was handling it all. Problem solved!
- After one hour the guy came out again and gave me a form to fill in (brilliant)
- I completed form and then handed it back to him. He then escorted me to another big building and got my passport stamped in and then went to the right (Aduana) to get my vehicle import permit.
- After another hour I finally got my import permit.
- Ok so now to enter El Salvador. You will enter the bridge and just before this they will ask for docket from Guatemala side and other papers. Then you go again.
- About 50 meters on is a military checkpoint and then check over import permit. 2 minutes later you are off.
- Total time was 2.5 hours on El Salvador side in blistering heat!!!
Onto San Salvador
I had another 4 hours to get to San Salvador and got right on it. I had already wasted 4 hours getting to and across the border, so now it was time to get moving.
After my troubles, I then got an email from my hotel in San Salvador to tell me that they had to cancel my booking because they had double booked. I didn’t have time to respond so headed to the city. I spoke with a reception in the city, and they told me everything is booked out.
Not the greatest start to my stay in San Salvador and it was starting to get dark. I decided to head 30 minutes outside of the city to a coastal resort town of La Libertad and booked a hotel at a rest stop. You won’t believe this, but I arrived in the dark, and they didn’t even know they had a booking and they had no electricity. You have got to be kidding me.
They found me a shady place near the water about 10 minutes drive away, and I settled in for the night. Went to a local bar and downed a few beers. What a day!
San Salvador
San Salvador (English: Holy Savior) is the capital and largest city of El Salvador and its eponymous department. It is the country’s political, cultural, educational and financial center. The San Salvador metropolitan area, which comprises San Salvador and thirteen of its surrounding municipalities, is one of the largest urban centers in Central America, with a projected population of 1,767,102 in 2015
La Libertad, El Salvador
La Libertad is a port city on the Pacific coast of southwest El Salvador. It’s known for beaches with strong surf, such as the Punta Roca break. Near the Malecón waterfront esplanade is the renovated 19th-century pier and fish market. To the west, the black-sand El Tunco Beach is famed for its consistently strong waves. To the east is the forested Walter Thilo Deininger National Park, with numerous bird species.
- I have a USA Registered Motorcycle
- 100% Owned by Myself (No Loan)
- 2 Copies Passport (+Original)
- 2 Copies Title (+Original – If you do not own, get letter from owner)
- 2 Copies Registration (+Original)
- 2 Copies Drivers Licence (+Original)
- Vehicle Import Permit + Copy
Exiting Guatemala
- About 1 mile out from the Guatemala, I had 3 motorbikes (locals) chasing me (obvious helpers) and I had to stop and tell them to back off as they were surrounding me.
- There was a massive line of trucks. Just carefully drive up past them.
- As you approach border you will see a big blue building, this is where everything is done. Park your bike on the left side next to the blue building.
- Get your Passport stamped out (you will also get a small docket with your stamp to give on El Salvador side (don’t lose it)
- Then proceed to get your import permit canceled. This is on the corner of the blue building (not easily found – so ask an official) You will need a copy of Passport, Title, Registration, License and Import permit to exit.
- They will require you to get copies of your stamped import permit (ridiculous I know). There is a little booth across the street, costs only a few quetzals
- Now for El Salvador
Entering El Salvador
- As you enter El Salvador you will a booth on right side and a few officials outside waving you in to stop. They will ask for the copies from Guatemala side.
- You will need a copy ofPassport, Title, Registration, License to enter.
- Hand over copies of documents and they will check over your bike (VIN etc)
- The border guy then went somewhere for over an hour and told me to wait by bike, it was horrendously hot and people were coming up to me all the time trying to skin me of my money. I ended up paying a kid $5 USD to tell them that he was handling it all. Problem solved!
- After one hour the guy came out again and gave me a form to fill in (brilliant)
- I completed form and then handed it back to him. He then escorted me to another big building and got my passport stamped in and then went to the right (Aduana) to get my vehicle import permit.
- After another hour I finally got my import permit.
- Ok so now to enter El Salvador. You will enter the bridge and just before this they will ask for docket from Guatemala side and other papers. Then you go again.
- About 50 meters on is a military checkpoint and then check over import permit. 2 minutes later you are off.
- Total time was 2.5 hours on El Salvador side in blistering heat!!!
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 Bother Borders: 3 Quetzals + $5 USD for a kid to get rid of wannabe helpers.
