driving a north american vehicle while on visa in NICA

Submitted by edward1 on 25 August, 2006 - 09:31.

Will be driving to C. America shortly. Will be staying a year, primarily in Nicaragua, and some in C. Rica. In CR you can only drive a N. American plated vehicle for 6 months. At which point the vehicle has to be plated with CR plates, put in storage, or removed from the country. What are the regulations pertaining to bringing a vehicle into Nicaragua, and using it there over an extended period of time. Namely flitting back and forth from Nica to CR and back. Incidently, has Nica now got unleaded gasoonline?

Would appreciate any info, and/or advice. edwardo 1

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yes you can drive.

Submitted by rogertroll on 25 August, 2006 - 13:39.

I came down 27th of Mars with a Honda with Florida plates, the car still have Florida plates and I am still on the road. You will get 30 days, you can renew that for another 30 days and then your car has to live the Country. But there is other ways when you get to know some "good people" if there is will there is a way, suprisingly cheaper than actually leaving the country with your car and come back. Roger

foreign plates

Submitted by edward1 on 26 August, 2006 - 10:09.

thanks for your input Rogertroll. An I correct in assuming that u leave your vehicle in Nica, and when your 30 ddays are up,leave the vehicle in Nica while u cross the border to CR to re-enter on another visa? Am I correct in interpreting from your advise that the above arrangement is done because of connections with Nica authorities>

not really

Submitted by rogertroll on 26 August, 2006 - 17:11.

There is other ways where you and your car dont leave at all. Kind of bad policy to discuss this on a public forum, just come down with your car, you will figure out the rest. Roger

not leaving nica with car

Submitted by edward1 on 30 August, 2006 - 09:20.

appreciate your reluctance to discuss your experiences in this regard in a public forum, Roger. I'll take your word for it. thanks for input, and assurance re my low levels of anxiety in this regard.

30 days

Submitted by fyl on 25 August, 2006 - 10:26.

Foreign vehicles can only stay for 30 days before the must be nationalized. But, each entry resets you 30 days.

BTW, your driver's license is good here until it expires.

foreign vehicles

Submitted by edward1 on 26 August, 2006 - 10:14.

Thanx for your info Fyl. I assume u have a foreign vehicle, or no someone who does. Is the foreign vehicle taken from the country before another re-entry?

And, can a vehicle be nationalized even if there is at that point no effortsmade to obtain residency status?

Had

Submitted by fyl on 28 August, 2006 - 06:00.

I drove up here twice when I lived in Costa Rica and one more time when I was moving. I elected to sell the CR car and buy one (now 3) here rather than deal with nationalization.

As long as your vehicle meets the requirements (that is, model year, mechanical inspection and emissions test) you have no problem nationalizing it--other than the taxes you have to pay.

You and your vehicle are two separate things. Note that I don't have residency here but I seem to be able to buy and sell cars. :-)

Check Phil

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 25 August, 2006 - 10:37.

Last time I was checked,the officer told me my U.S driver's license was good for 30 Days as well

FAP

driver's licence

Submitted by edward1 on 26 August, 2006 - 10:16.

The Canadian Automobile Association like the AAA recommends getting an international drivers license which is good for one year anywhere in the world.

The law

Submitted by fyl on 25 August, 2006 - 11:09.

Transit law is at http://www.nicaliving.com/files/ley431.pdf. See article 144.

transit law

Submitted by edward1 on 26 August, 2006 - 10:25.

Thanx Fyl Unfortunately I can't read Spanish, and I don't know anyone here in Belleville Ontario who is fluent in the language. Could I impose on you to translate it - paraphrase it - for me. Thanx in advance.

Just what I said

Submitted by fyl on 28 August, 2006 - 06:03.

It just says your foreign license is good here until it expires.

But, you are going to drive through four Spanish speaking countries and you don't know Spanish? If nothing else, crossing the borders with a vehicle is not likely to be much fun.

crossing borders with nada Spanish

Submitted by edward1 on 30 August, 2006 - 09:29.

been south of the Rio Grande countless times. Drove behind the Iron Curtain for a year trying to figure out why Yanks were so afraid of the USSR. Talk about communication difficulties, and at every every soviet commie bloc border treating me like some kind of 007 spy operative! aa canadian stooge for the CIA. Am treating this particular jaunt from southern Ontario to Nica land as an adventure, the last kick at the cat so to speak.

Thanks Phil

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 25 August, 2006 - 11:16.

That is correct,dunno why I was told otherwise, hummm maybe he wanted a gaseosa like they sometimes call "Mordidas"

FAP

UnLeaded Gas

Submitted by Miskito Alan on 25 August, 2006 - 09:57.

Its been years since Leaded Gasoline has been sold in Nicaragua.

LFJW is the only current user of Leaded Gasoline; but, he has it imported and only sniffs it every few minutes and does not really use the stuff.

UnLeaded & Diesel are available everywhere.

Miskito Alan &#174

leaded gas

Submitted by edward1 on 26 August, 2006 - 10:20.

I enjoy your comments Miskito Alan. Sense of humor. There's a couple of web sites that claim that Unleaded can't be purchased in Nica, and hence to disconnect the catalytic burner. Can't tell u which web sites though because it was before I discovered NICALIVING. Could be by some Nica phobic discontents.

Leaded Gasoline

Submitted by geespott on 26 August, 2006 - 18:18.

I was in Nicaragua the past month and I assure you that there is no leaded gasoline. All the gas stations sell Unleaded gasoline. Don't worry about fuel.

UnLeaded Gasoline

Submitted by Miskito Alan on 26 August, 2006 - 12:21.

I'm not sure the removal of the catalytic converters helps; but, some say that since some unleaded gas is quite dirty and/or contains water that this type Nica gasoline will burn better.

Since Nicaragua now has an extensive vehicle inspection program; I'm not certain that one is able to remove a catalytic converter.

When the last leaded gas was sold in Nica about 1991(?); many problems relating to the outboard boat engines arose on the Atlantic Coast because of the fuel quality and the lower octane of the unleaded gas. The leaded gas had the same contamination problems; but, had the higher octane.

Miskito Alan &#174

Sorta Kinda

Submitted by Former NL Member on 25 August, 2006 - 16:31.

They probably sell 100LL (100 octane low lead) avgas at the airport. It'll cost an arm and a leg. If Nicanix is around he'll probably know how much, but they probably won't put it in a car; they won't even let you take a camera on the flightline.

Driving from Ontarion to Nicaragua?

Submitted by GEAdams on 26 August, 2006 - 14:25.

No one questioned the wisdom (or problems) of driving to Nicaragua in this thread. I have driven before and want to again but I understand things have changed in El Salvadore and Guatamala. I have friends in San Salvadore who tell me they are afraid of the gangs that have poped up and are considering Nicaragua as a safer place.

Depending on what type of vehicle you need, it may be cheaper and safer to buy and then sell or a long term rent from a private party and then there is safety and I think it would be cheaper. I know a private party that has a 1999 king cab pickup w- cold air and another party that has a nice 4 door all wheel drive that could be rented for 6 months.

Supreme Regards Supreme Regards from GEAdams

Driving to Nic.

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 26 August, 2006 - 14:37.

When driving from the US or Canada, You never have to or should go through El Salvador, you go from Guatemala,into Honduras.

FAP

No El Salvador?

Submitted by Miskito Alan on 26 August, 2006 - 15:32.

If one does not take a little sightseeing spin by driving in El Salvador; how in the world will a person know if the country is dangerous or peaceful?

Miskito Alan &#174

El Salvadore

Submitted by Jack Davies on 27 August, 2006 - 03:42.

There are so many bad El Salvador gangs in the U.S. now I'm surprised that some stayed behind.

Dead Man Talking

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 26 August, 2006 - 15:47.

or Writting lol.

There have been too many killings by La Mara Salvatrucha in that route, but if anyone wants to take it, be my guesst, explore a lil, sightsee El Salvador, the 2 times my Dad and I in 80 and 82 Drove from LA, we never vetured into El Salvador, saves you time and Trouble :-). BTW my Dad did All the Driving,since I was barely 11 and 12.

FAP

Shotgun?

Submitted by Miskito Alan on 26 August, 2006 - 15:58.

At 12 years old, you were probably "riddin' shotgun".

I went through the airport several times and the only problem I ever had was that the female bartenders wanted me to stay overnight. :-)

Miskito Alan &#174