FAQ's
Q: What is the best type of vehicle to take on the trip? A: Well the most important consideration is vehicle clearance. The speed bumps (topes) are one of the biggest hazards of the road. And when I say biggest, I really mean BIGGEST. They can be anywhere from the size of the average speed bump like you'd find in any parking lot here in the States to something you need to crawl over at low speed in order to avoid bottoming out. They are also not always clearly marked so the odds are very good that you will hit one at some point while traveling at speed, which happened to me several times. After a while you develop a sixth sense for them. I even developed my own method for knowing when I would come across one and it served me well. Although a 4wd isn't necessary, it does help to have one. Not only do you have the added clearance, but in the event you have problems with the drive-line or u-joints, you can disconnect it, lock the front hubs and still be able to keep going by engaging the 4wd, which at that point really makes it a front wheel drive vehicle. Also, just pulling off the highway onto the shoulder, when there is one, can be treacherous and a good off-road vehicle can save you from damaging your vehicle. Q: What type of paper work do I need to cross the border? A: For You - You will need a valid passport and driver's license. Be sure that they are valid for the entire time you plan to be on the road. You will also need photocopies of them as well. A: For your vehicle - You will need the original title and registration in your name. If you are still making payments on the vehicle then you will also need a notarized letter from the lien-holder authorizing you to take the vehicle out of the country, not something that is easy to get from the lien holder. Your best bet would be to buy a used vehicle and get a clear title for it. You can always sell it once you either return to the States or in one of the other countries. You will also need photocopies of them as well. Q: What kind of insurance do I need? A: For Mexico - You will need Mexican insurance regardless of how far across the border you plan to travel. It's cheap and you can easily purchase a policy online. The cost depends on how long you plan to travel in the country. It's a good idea to purchase a policy that covers you for more time than you plan to stay in the event you get delayed for any reason. A: For all other countries - You will have to buy insurance at the border of Nicaragua and Costa Rica even if you have a policy already for Central America. It's mandatory and cheap. For all other countries, they do not require insurance and you won't be able to find a place to sell it to you at the border. Q: Can I sell my vehicle in another country? A: Yes, No and Maybe. Selling you car in another country isn't easy and can be very problematic. Many of the Central American countries now also have age restriction regarding the importation of used vehicles. I sold my truck in Panama and was lucky to do so. Remember you only have a limited amount of time to find a buyer and get all the paperwork done before the permit on your vehicle runs out. The Customs lots are full of vehicles that had to be abandoned by their owners because they weren't able to find a buyer or had problems with the import of the vehicle. Yes they do stamp your passport noting that you took a vehicle into the country. In the event you need to abandon your vehicle in a country, there is a way to get around the stamp they put in your passport, but you'll have to wait for my book to find out what it is. Q: What do I need in order to bring my dog with me? A: You will need to get a health certificate from your veterinarian. These are valid for 30 days but must be issued within 10 days if flying. You need to make sure that your dog's rabies vaccination is current. If your dog is due for a new vaccination while on the road, you can get a rabies shot from any local vet. Q: Is it hard to find a vet? A: No. It's surprisingly easy to find a veterinarian. Finding a good one though is a different story. They are also much different than what you find here in the States. They primarily deal with live-stock as most people south of the border don't bother to take a sick dog in for care. Q: Are fleas and ticks a big problem? A: YES!!!! - If you use Frontline they are still a problem. I tried it once and Nota remained flea free for all of three days. After trying several suggested products, one requiring she get a shot every three weeks. I finally found one that worked and it also turned out to be the cheapest way as well as the most effective against fleas and works well for ticks. Ticks are also a big problem and can make your dog very sick and cause death. You should check for them every day. If you are in an area that is heavily infested with them, such as the desert areas of northern Mexico, you can use a product called CombaTick. It's a concentrated solution you mix with water and then pour over the dog. It's highly effective against ticks but will do nothing about the fleas. Q: Is it difficult to find heart-worm preventative medicine? A: No, you can find Heart Guard at many vet offices and unlike the States, you don't need a prescription. The downside is that it has probably been sitting on the shelf a very long time. Alternatively, you can also purchase Ivermectim at any vet office. This is a liquid solution usually given by injection but can be administered orally. You can find more info on it on the web regarding dosage and how to mix it with grenadine since it doesn't taste very good. It is also the primary ingredient of Heart Guard and considered very safe to use even at high doses. Q: I know the water isn't safe for me to drink, but what about my dog? A: Local dogs have no problem drinking the water because they have built up an immunity to it. Your dog on the other hand may develop problems. It's best to avoid letting your dog drink from the tap. Bottled water is cheap in Mexico, about a dollar for five gallons. The general rule is that if it's not safe for you to drink then it isn't safe for your pet as well. Also, don't let your dog drink any standing water on the street. It's full of bacteria and microbes and your dog will likely develop giardia or other intestinal problems. Q: Is it hard to find really good quality dog food? A: Yes. Usually the best you can get is the Pedigree brand which is considered the top of the line so it isn't difficult at all to find regular kibble for your dog. If your dog has special dietary needs, you'll need to bring plenty of food with you. You can also make your own but unless you have a way to keep it refrigerated it becomes a real hassle to buy small quantities and prepare your dogs food daily. Q: Is it hard to find lodging that allows pets? A: Not really. Although people south of the border don't normally travel with pets I didn't have any trouble finding places to stay. Even though I mostly camped, the times I did rent a room I was never turned away because of my dog and with the exception of one place in Panama, I was never charged extra. Just remember to be responsible for your dog and ensure them that the dog will not be allowed on the bed or furniture and that they are clean and free of any parasites. Q: What else do I need to know? A: A lot!!! The amount of information would be enough to fill an entire book, which is why I am working on just that, a book that tells you almost EVERYTHING you need to know when driving through Mexico and Central America with your dog. | Links
Below you will find links to other sites with info about driving in Mexico, Central and South America. - Drive the Americas One of the best resources on the web for driving both North and South America. It has a ton of useful information from people who have done the trip. |
© Copyright 2010 by Jeff Sarmento. All Rights Reserved.
|