Traveling by own car from USA to Panama
I have been thinking about driving from USA (Texas) down to Panama.
My concern is about safety, such as whether the risk of getting robbed or killed would make this sort of trip dangerous?
One reason for this concern is that a colleague told me that drug cartels own the highways in Mexico. Not sure how true that is but it made me wonder if they expect some kind of payments?
I'm a 35-year old white male and would be traveling by myself. My car is not particularly fancy, it's a 2014 Ford Escape so a tankful of gas right now costs about $20 USD and can take me about 500 miles. It is registered in Texas, however, so it has the Texas plates (not sure if this increases the risks of getting mugged?).
Is this type of endeavor too risky nowadays? If I do undertake this trip, are there any particular precautions I would have to keep in mind?
Best Answer
I love long car trips. To enter Mexico you will need a car-import permission. Each country has special requirements as ownership of car, international assurance for the car, etc. If you are asked to fumigate your car at a border crossing, do not allow it. It is not necessary.
I've travel by days from USA to Costa Rica and is really very nice, a lot of hidden places that you definitely will lost if you travel by air. Just take the generally reasonable considerations: avoid do long trips (>1hr) in the night. At 1/2 gas tank level always refill at first gas station that you see. Often there are long roads without gas stations. In every country the first thing: buy local sim card in order you get Internet Access in your mobile phone. Use Google Maps to plan your trips and always be sure to use (as possible) toll roads. And be careful with circulation restrictions to foreign cars in Mexico City and surrounding areas (you can get a special permission in www.paseturistico.cdmx.gob.mx/pasetur/). If you do not speak Spanish prepare the most common phrases in order you can communicate to ask food, gas, directions or recommendations. Local people are generally friendly with foreign people.
In my experience, just in Managua (Nicaragua), traffic police are very very strict in transit rules. Just be sure you comply and avoid giving them money. Avoid San Pedro Sula (Honduras) and enjoy the trip.
Pictures about "Traveling by own car from USA to Panama"
Can I drive my car from US to Panama?
Even though geographically North and South America are connected by land, on the edge between Panama and Colombia there is no road linking the two countries and continents therefor you cannot drive from one continent to the other.Can you cross Panama by car?
There is no way to drive from North America to South America nonstop. Building a road through the Darien Gap has been discussed for over 100 years, but there are reasons why there is no road between Panama and Colombia.How much does it cost to ship a car from the United States to Panama?
Typical Shipping Prices \u2013 How Much Does It Cost? Most auto transport costs to Panama from the U.S. fall between $1,500 and $4,300. Additional costs can accrue for vehicles that are oversized (or won't fit in a shipping container), premium services, and vehicles shipped from more distant parts of the United States.Can I drive from California to Panama?
Yes, the driving distance between California to Panama City is 6302 km. It takes approximately 3 days 3h to drive from California to Panama City.What I Drove From California To Panama In 100 Days
More answers regarding traveling by own car from USA to Panama
Answer 2
Not directly your question, but things you should have also asked: Check for consequences if you lose your car for some reason and Mexico deems it to be imported, charging you import tax. I'm quite sure there was a corresponding question on this site not long ago. And check what your insurance thinks about it. They may not be happy and not cover you at all on your way.
Answer 3
I don't think it's extremely risky if you stick to Major thoroughfares. It would also be advantageous if you speak the lingua populi. If you're dead-set on this trip i'd say you should only stop in relatively well off areas. Mexico is not as lawless as the headlines make it out to be, at least, compared to other central american countries.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Tim Samuel, Quintin Gellar, Jacob Morch, Tim Samuel