Looking for the length of time of car permits are issued by various Central American countries.
I am currently driving around Central America and I am "not quite done" touring. I would like to park my car somewhere, fly back to Texas and then return here in 6 months or less. Is Mexico the only country south of the border to provide 180 days for a car permit? I can't find this information anywhere online. Strange!!!!! Maybe everyone else is just traveling through and not lingering around here like me :-)
So far I have found Mexico provides 180 days, Guatemala 45 days, Honduras 90 days. Honduras is as far as I have gotten in the past 6 months. Wondering about the other CA countries and if any approach Mexico in the length of car permit time, and also looking for any ideas on finding a 6 month car parking place that is safe and will not break the bank.
An initial desired answer would be Nicaragua and the maximum time for a car permit, followed in raking by El Salvador, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama.
Thanks in advance!
Reply to this Not so sure about soufh of Honduras. I do know however that there may be some legal problems with your plan. When you enter the country you iwll get a stamp in your passport that you brought in a car. The permit you recieve is a promise that you will take the car with you when you leave and that you will not stay any longer than the permit allows. I would imagine that this means when you get to the airport and try to elave and get your passport stamped they may detain you, or levee some kind of steep fine. The problem with telling them that you are simplying leaving your car there for a few months is that they will assume you sold it illegally. Nicarauga may be you rbest bet as their border system and their import laws are pretty lax. Costa Rica charges a crazy tax on all imports and probably would be a tough place to find a cheap parking lot. I would really check with the local consulates about the legality of your plan.... but good luck....
Reply to this I am leaving my car in Mexico. Here it is OK to fly out of the country and return, just as long as you cross out of Mexico into another country at the end of your 6 month permit. I talked to the car bonding bank at the border and the embassy and they said A-OK. I'll let everyone know when I return in a few months if there is a problem or not.
Reply to this This link might help answer your question for Costa Rica (http://www.livecostarica.net/blog/?p=49), for the other central america countries... I am not sure what the laws are.
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