About sheilaeflanagan

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Past Expat Posts:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Nicaragua

Panama

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: in search for camper van:

Visit drivetheamericas.com. Long haul, hardcore overlanders buy & sell campers quite often and most have been uniquely modified. Good Luck! Happy Motoring!

Belize: Driving Texas to Belize:

My husband & I drove from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl and just reached Panama. We entered Mexico on Feb 1st from Pharr, Texas and drove the Gulf Coast through Lake Catamaco and snaked all around and south along the Atlantic /Carribbean Coast and entered Belize a few weeks later. We took major roads, back roads & toll roads. NO problems, beautiful country. You WILL go through checkpoints. Sometimes you are waved on, sometimes they want docs. You mentioned trouble trying to enter in Arizona. What trouble? Did you actually get into Mexico before turning around? Good Luck & hope this inspires!

Panama: Temp car permit extensions:

Hey! I need your help in finding out about current & possible temp car permit extensions. I had a horrible time crossing from CR today. The information I had said I could get a 6 month tourist visa & 3 month temp car permit. They would only issue me a 30 day car permit & insurance policy. I had bank docs to show our pensions / income, but my Spanglish & their shift change did nothing to accomplish anything else. Is it possible to get an extension after the initial 30 days and where? I was mentally prepared to do border runs in 90 or 180 day increments, but 30 is loco!

Panama: Border crossing to Rio Sereno:

Thanks for the 411 . Any chance you know the name of the new auto shop? and/or location? Again, we have parts, so if they have hydraulic lift/tools for the shocks, we are golden! The rest is oil change & radiator flush ( we have the stuff). We will give them a go and post a great review! ALL the best!

Nicaragua: By Car Through Central Ameri to Nica:

Hey Guys! EXCUSE my bad!!! I accidentally hit the thumbs down instead of reply. Anyhow, My husband & I just drove from Miami, Fl to David, Panama over the last 3.5 months. We are a retired (54) & (62) gringo couple and drove our personal vehicle through 8 borders. Time is not an issue, money of course is. I got by with extremely BAD Spanglish, lots of smiles and knowing cash is king. Is it like driving on US interstates? NO. Is it a really amazing adventure I would recommend? YES! Here are a couple more websites to visit for info & inspiration. www.liferemotely.com (free ebook to download), www.drivetheamericas.com Buen Viaje!

Guatemala: Crossing into El Salvador:

Hey! I need your opinions on border crossings. I will be in Zacapa, Guatemala for a couple of days before crossing into El Salvador with my personal (foreign) vehicle. On paper (haha) the Anguiata crossing appears closer but I can't find any info on hours of operation or if this viable for my transit. It seems the San Cristobal crossing is popular but that is a bit more travel on my end. I don't mind the extra drive & expense if it is a better option. Any & all thoughts & experiences are GREATLY & ALWAYS appreciated. Thanks!

El Salvador: Which border crossing?:

Hey! I need your opinions on border crossings. I will be in Zacapa, Guatemala for a couple of days before crossing into El Salvador with my personal (foreign) vehicle. On paper (haha) the Anguiata crossing appears closer but I can't find any info on hours of operation or if this viable for my transit. It seems the San Cristobal crossing is popular but that is a bit more travel on my end. I don't mind the extra drive & expense if it is a better option. Any & all thoughts & experiences are GREATLY & ALWAYS appreciated. Thanks!

Guatemala: Overlanding suggestions:

Hey Guys! I will be entering Guatemala from Belize (Cd. Melchor de Mencos) next month in our personal vehicle. We will visit Tikal & the Candelaria Caves and would love any suggestions on what else to check out. We wish to be heading south/southeast with a plan (?) to hit Puerto Viejo CR and on into Panama. We are laid back with no timeframe. As always, I appreciate this forum and look forward to your responses. Buenos Viaje!

Guatemala: Car insurance requirements?:

Hey Guys! I will be entering Guatemala from Belize (Cd. Melchor de Mencos next month with a US passport and Fla plates on our personal vehicle. I am finding some conflicting responses to whether or not we need to purchase Guatemalan car insurance for our drive through the country. Some of my intel is 4-5 yrs old so recent info would be appreciated. My US & Mex ins are current. Also, since we are so close, we will visit Tikal & the Candelaria Caves, but are open for suggestions on what else to check out. We wish to be heading south/southeast with a plan (?) to hit Puerto Viejo CR. We are laid back with no timeframe. As always, I appreciate this forum and look forward to your responses. Buenos Viaje!

Mexico: Temp car permit issuance:

Hey Guys! ON 2.1.14 I entered Mexico on a 180 day visa & 180 temp car permit (US passport & plate). On 4.2.14 I surrendered both to enter Belize. If I wish to return to Mexico on 4.30.14, does any one know if I am able to get a new 180 day temp car permit to accompany my new 180 day visa? I have read that in the past, I should have requested a "double entrada" stamp on my visa and not cancelled my car permit,in that, I would only be issued a 15 day temp car permit upon return. I tried a couple of embassies for answers, but have heard nothing back regarding the temp car permit, just that my visa will reset for 180 days. ANY & ALL insight IS greatly appreciated. Thanks

Date Joined:

8/2/2013

Total Posts:

20

Posts/Day:

0.01