All the way south

Costa Rica, like entering, was very easy to exit.  I entered the border zone and was shuttled into a packing space by the different but non-unique border helpers.  There we stepped up to the first window nearest the parking space and canceled the migration stamp in our passport.  Thirty seconds later we walked to the left to Aduanas.  Sixty seconds later the bike permit was canceled.

Thanks CR!

Panama:

We were being herded by helpers to park towards the front of the covered area of the main border building.  You actually want to park in two different places, towards the front, where Migration is.. then towards the rear by Aduanas.

Documents:

Standard Title, DL, Passport.  I think we needed 2 copies of each here.  I don’t remember.  Just always have TONS of copies with you of everything.  It makes things so much easier and faster.  They have a copyshop on site though for $.10 or $.02.  Really cheap.

Fees:

$2 gringo fee, IF and ONLY IF you are from the United States of America

Otherwise, I’m prety sure we spent no money.

Process:

Towards the front of the building is the Migration windows.  This was very easy for Teo because he’s German, but required two steps for me.  I had to first start the paperwork, then go to the bank next to Aduanas to pay for my gringo entry fee of $2.

Once you get the proof of payment, you hand it to a lady walking around who gives you a sticker for your passport.

Then go back to the window and get the official entry stamp.

Return to the Aduanas window towards the back of the covered area.  Get entry paperwork here.  It was quick and easy to get the paperwork.

Once you get that paperwork, you need to complete it by getting a signature by the Customs Inspector.

For me, I had the paperwork for both bikes and he signed the forms then gave them back to me.  In spanish, he started asking for a propina, or tip in order to not search the bikes.  What is funny is that the beginning of the time I was joking around with him in Spanish then when he took me to the back office to sign the paperwork he got serious.

Then he asked for money and all of a sudden, I forgot how to speak spanish.  He kept saying that he wanted money in several different ways and I kept looking at him confusedly.   He then looked at me and smiled and said, “You understand exactly what I’m saying, quit lieing”.  With that, I chuckled and walked out of his office with the signed papers in my hand.

Lots of CamoPolice

Strange police building

This is a pretty bad picture, but the roads in Panama are fantastic.