Crossing from Panama into Costa Rica by Motorcycle
Entering Costa Rica - Update 33 (June 2023)
Panama to Las Cruces Research Station, Costa Rica
This is actually the second update that covers Panama. The first is under the South America heading as most of the update was about Colombia.
It wasn’t far to the border from David in Panama. My repaired rear tyre was going fine and I reached the town of Rio Sereno in less than two hours.
Rio Sereno, Chiriquí Province, has a smaller crossing that mainly seems to cater for locals. This is my type of crossing. I try to avoid the main, busy ones. Leaving Panama was just a matter of parking the bike under a shady tree and walking to the Panama Customs office to complete my motorcycles temporary import. Then it was over to Migracion for me to be checked out of Panama and I was on my way.
I then rode 100 metres around the corner to the Costa Rica offices. Migracion was quickly taken care of. Customs was not so easy. I had forgotten that Costa Rica requires an original of the vehicle registration or ownership papers. I had become aware of this while still in Australia and did a little preparation but I was wary. My problem was that Australia does all of the vehicle registration online or electronically. You pay your money and they email the document as a PDF. Australian Police cars have cameras that read your license plate and instantly know all the details and payment history. So the original in Australian terms is really just a confirmation email I guess. I had even previously spoken to my states Department of Transport about the dilemma but got nowhere. For other countries so far, a printout of the document has been fine. It has everything they need for their system. But I had noticed that other travellers with vehicles all had official looking printed documents.
So the first response I got was, this is a copy, Costa Rica law says you must provide an original. And so began the debate. I seriously thought the bike was not getting in for a while there, my mind was spinning over all the contingencies, which were not appealing. And I must admit the document does look like anyone with a little talent could have created it on their home computer. Luckily the lady spoke English and was nice (but firm). And luckily it was very quiet, I was the only visitor she had while I was there. I had brought some other proof. I had the original email, the purchase papers for the bike and some other evidence. Eventually after discussions with people in another office, I was clear to go. I then had to walk back into Panama and buy SEA Insurance (third party) at the nearby hardware store, then go back to Customs and wait for that to clear. Then it was a quick ride across to quarantine for a treatment on my riding boots, a check about fruit etc and I was on my way in to Costa Rica.
Rio Sereno in Panama. The Policia, Migration and Customs were all to the left of my bike.
I collected some Costa Rica Colón at an ATM in Sabalito, then a SIM card at a convenience store and made my way to my accommodation. I stayed two nights at La Cruces Research Station. Here is their website link- La Cruces Research Station
The property was originally a botanical garden and farm, until the Organization for Tropical Studies purchased it 50 years ago. Now it is a research centre and also a place where tourists like me can visit. The rooms were nicely set with views of the forest, the food was good, if prepared a little like school camp, and the staff were all switched on and super nice.
So the rest of this update is all about plants. I was right into this some years back. Many of the plants below are available in northern Australia, if you seek them out.
I spent my time wandering around and did a walk to the nearby Rio Java. There are more Toucans around in Costa Rica and I saw a few up fairly close while eating breakfast. I have since had one zoom in front of me while I was riding too. They are such an exotic and cool looking bird to an Aussie.
There seemed to be up to a dozen young researchers staying. I think I was the only tourist, apart from some day visitors.
The next lot of photos were taken on a walk down to Rio Java.
I used to grow Calatheas Lutea(?) like this in Australia, but then we had a drought and I just couldn’t keep up enough water to them.
It’s grow, grow, grow around here.
I am not sure that this beehive ginger belongs in the forest? I think they are from South East Asia? I guess like every country, Costa Rica has its weed problems.
This Musa was actually in the forest but I am not sure that it belongs there either.
This fig looks like it could be straight out of the Queensland rainforest. The lady that was helping me find my way around the Station nodded when I mentioned strangler but I didn’t ever work out whether that’s what they actually call them and what their relationship is to the Aussie variety.
The rest of the photos are from wandering around the Wilson Botanic Gardens that surround the buildings at the Station. So the plants could be from anywhere around the world (in a similar climate of course).
New growth (culm) from the bamboo above.
I’d love to say this was taken as I was chased through the forest by a Costa Rican Panther but sadly not.
Northern Colombia and into Panama
Update 32 (June 2023)
San Vito to Puerto Viejo to Liberia, Costa Rica
Update 34 (June 2023)