Only 3 days before the big start so I’ll try to cover documentation, maps, my itinerary and budget in one post.
Documents and Bureaucracy #
Border crossings in Central America are complex. I have prepared several photocopies of my passport, driving licence, and registration.
I imported my vehicle online in advance for Mexico to simplify the border crossing.
Useful links for Mexico:
- Vehicle Import: Banjercito
- Pre-authorization: INM
The cost is about US $75 plus a US $500 refundable deposit. For insurance, I chose MexInsurance for a 6-month plan. I also paid the Argentina reciprocity tax online at Provincianet.
To protect against potential integrity issues with law enforcement, I have organized 3 separate identical wallets hidden on the bike. I plan to provide only copies of my documents at first contact. If an officer tries to keep my original licence for a “fine,” I have backups ready so I don’t have to play that game.
Navigation and Maps #
My primary navigation is a Zumo 550 GPS.
- Central America: Cenrut
- South America: Proyecto Mapear and Perut
- Global Backup: OpenStreetMap for Garmin
On my iPhone, I use Maps.me and Google Maps (offline areas). I have identified hundreds of points of interest (POI) in Google Maps, which I can export to my Garmin via Google Takeout.
Itinerary and Philosophy #
The plan is flexible:
- September/October: Mexico and Central America.
- November 14: Sail from Panama to Colombia on the Stahlratte.
- December/January: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.
- February: Patagonia (Chile and Argentina).
- March: Buenos Aires.
I have spent years reading blogs like South on a Bike, RideDOT.com, and ADVrider. While Tierra del Fuego is the objective, it is not an obligation. The freedom to change the path is the most important part of the journey.
The Budget #
Major fixed expenses:
- Insurance & Fees: $1,000
- Stahlratte Crossing: $1,700
- Return Airfare: $3,500
- Daily Expenses: I am aiming for a maximum of $85/day for gas, food, and lodging.
I have spent about $15,000 on gear over several years. The bike (2010 BMW GS) has 54,000 km and is fully paid for, which reduces the financial risk in case of theft or accident.
This completes the preparation steps. The trip starts on September 11th!