Know Before You Go About Crime

This is such a huge topic when traveling into Mexico and Central America that one could ponder all the possibilities of what could go wrong; the question should be how does one remain safe on the trip of a lifetime?

In everything good there is also something bad and therefore I wanted to say a word on crime because this is such a huge topic when traveling into Mexico and Central America. My opinion (and experience) is that there is less crime in Mexico and Central America than in North America, which is also statistically proven. However, travelers are popular targets because they stand out and usually have something worth stealing. Thus the odds substantially increase because you, most likely, are a more desirable target to the criminal than the local farmer that earns in a year what you earn in a moThe best thing to remember is to use common sense and avoid putting yourself or your valuables in a situation that would invite crime. Most crimes in Mexico and Central America are victimless, but unfortunately not all. Victimless means that Señor Criminal will attempt to take your belongings without physically threatening or harming you.

They usually break into your car or hotel room when you are not around. Hence, park in safe places, stay in hotels that have locks on the doors and windows and think defensively when in large cities, (i.e. don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket). There is more about crime in the Guide, but you get the idea.

Updated 2011 Whats going on?

One of the biggest questions on travelers minds these days  is safety. In the last six months both USA and international news agencies have reported many violent attacts, in the areas of Tiajuana, Rosarito Beach and Ensenada between drug cartels and police with the public being in the crossfire. In addition, traveler's have been carjacked, mostly in the San Felipe area and the route between Tj and Rosearito, and armed robberies have been directed at campers and surfers, the most noted in Cuarto Casas and Colonet. 

(Note: In the last 50 years there has never been a tourist kidnapp in Baja!)

What is the governments response?

The Northern Baja State Police, and the Green Angels have increased patrols between TJ and Esenada and areas near the boarder crossing. Rosarito has a new tourist police force to help. The emergcy number in Baja is (066) but (911) can be used too. State police in the Tj. Rosearito and Ensenada area now have english speaking officers to help you.

Travel recommendations:

• DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT!
• DO NOT CAMP IN OPEN AREAS!
• DO NOT STOP FOR ANYONE SUSPICIOUS!

Surfers and beach visiters must leave all valuables at the hotel or in your locked car that you park in a secure area---which usually means that someone is watching it. When on route do not stop in a remote area for any unmarked cars with flashing red lights. Police cars are clearly marked "Policia" or "Federal" on the side of car. This will eleminate the chance of a car jacking.  Use major towns  as your stop for fish tacos, food, gas and stocking up on the stuff for your long travel days. 

Other travel info:

Good times to cross over the border into the United States are between the hours of 1:30pm to 3:00pm and 11:00pm to Midnight. Plan to be over the line before Midnight because stations begin to close at this time and the line starts backing up. Very bad times to cross is in the Morning between 1am through 10am. And Sundays and Saturdays during the Evenings.

Car travel going into Mexico has no waiting, except on Friday evenings so schedule extra time. On average it takes about one hour, to re-ener into the United States. Make sure you have all your USA documents in order because every car and person is checked! (Starting Feburary 1st, all US Citizens will need a passport or proof of passport application or birth certificate to drive back into the US. On January 1st 2009 only passports will be accepted) Walking into the the US can take up to 30 miniutes or less and can be much faster than a drive across!

The PAY roads in Mexico are very good and you may see random check points along with the regular check points for drugs and guns. There is usually Federal Police just between near border towns and larger cities, control your speed through these areas.

Read More

Sell Your Car in Costa Rica

• sending us photos or the vehicle
• your approximate selling price
• the year
• the motor size
• transmission type
• the date you expect to have the car in Costa Rica
• and the mileage on the vehicle
• copy of the title

Driving your vehicle to Costa Rica does have distinct advantages over shipping it. Any car that that is brought in by a tourist by driving, is given a 90 day grace period (similar to that of your personal passport) to leave the country or become registered in Costa Rica.

Should you choose to ship your vehicle, something we can help with as well, you can expect to pay customs tax immediately upon arrival or risk the government putting the vehicle into storage and charging a daily charge against the value of the vehicle. Once the daily charge exceeds the value of the vehicle, the government auctions the car at a ridiculously low price and you are just out. 

The cost for driving your vehicle across the border into Costa Rica is very inexpensive. You are required to purchase liability insurance from the government, at a cost of about $35 dollars for your 90 day stay.  There is the traditional, “oh no, it has a bug on the grill” spraying charge of a few dollars, but the rest of the procedure is relatively painless. 

Should you wish to keep your vehicle in Costa Rica after the 90 days, we strongly advise that you hire a company like ours to assist you in the import duty process as a personal representation with customs can save you a lot of money.
 

Ten Reasons To Move to Costa Rica

1) Year-round spring-like weather in the Central Valley. One of the most ideal climates in the world. No heating or A/C needed in this area, so you will always feel comfortable and at home in this environment.

(2) Latin America’s oldest democracy and safest country below the border.

(3) Costa Rica has no army and thus spends money on education and health care for its people.

(4) Costa Ricans who reach the age of eighty have the longest longevity rate in the world beyond that age.

(5) More North American residents proportionately than any other country outside of the U.S (sometimes we are not sure if this is a good thing :)

(6) An excellent quality of life. 

(7) Friendly people with a great sense of humor and a country populated by one of the “happiest people in the world.”

(8) Remarkable nature.

(9) Extraordinary surf and water sports in warm water.

(10) Because it's straight up beautiful

Military Stops

The police that will give you the most problems are the smalltime city police. These police are poorly educated, minimally trained and mostly corrupt. They think that as a tourist you owe them compensation for transiting through their minuscule town.

Often when stopped, the police or military will ask where are you going (donde viene?). Just tell them the next tourist town - looking like a tourist helps too.

In most Central American countries the police are part of the military, except Costa Rica and Panama. In the larger cities of Honduras traffic police are a common site. In Honduras they wear a gray uniform with a black strip along the side of their legs. In most Central American countries the likelihood of being stopped periodically for inspections is a common occurrence. The officials will ask you for your license and vehicle registration card. Often they will ask for your passport as well. Once they realize you are a tourist they will wave you on through.

The current administration in most Central American countries and in Mexico is trying to put on a good face for tourists, rarely would you expect to have any hassles. There are a variety of reasons for the periodic inspections. The main reason is to remind people that the military is in control, even in these "democratic" countries. 

Throughout Central America and Mexico the military presence is a fact of life. North Americans are not accustomed to seeing military men on a crowded downtown street with a machine gun, but this is a common sight in Central America. The reasons for the periodic military stops range from looking for stolen vehicles to inspecting for contraband, such as arms or drugs. An effort is being made to control the amount of arms in civilian hands, this is one of the major efforts now being made.
 

Europeans: Buy A Car in Canada