Are we there yet?

[KeyWestPirate]

Tica Bus is running from MGA to El Salvador. I don't know what Covid test requirements are for El Salvador, but it might be an option for the adventuresome.

I do know that Covid tests are available in Tegus in the $40 range. We paid $45 in Guatemala and got a 2 hour result.

The Tica bus we saw at Guasale was full. There was little private vehicle traffic, and was all C4 vehicles. No one was selling insurance in Guasale, probably because of the non existent demand.

We paid less than $300 to import the truck contents, but we did have to unload everything for revision.

The process was, first present evidence of Covid test. That went very quickly. Then to migration, price was $13 for Shelley, up a buck. Free for me.

This took a while,, there were two officials working and no lines. It took the same time for a Nica Salvadoreño couple to get their passport stamps.

The aduana guys we initially dealt with were very nice, and were lobbying for us NOT to have to unload. There is a large, separate, commercial clearance at Guasale, and a Señora from that side finally came over to review our load. There was a LOT of commercial traffic, as opposed to the minimal private clearance.

But,, everything seemed to be taking forever, not just for us. And the Tica bus must have been there at least an hour.

I had previously planned on driving back in a Ford F250 that I have here, but that requires getting the transmission up to Tapachula, rebuilt, and back.

Another option would be to find a transmission shop in Managua and ship the parts kit down.

We had no problem entering Guatemala, but Honduras requires a "Prechequeo" that you can do on your phone. Neither Honduran customs or immigration asked for it.

The Hondurans allowed our load to pass duty free. Unfortunately, El Florido is no longer just a private vehicle crossing. It used to be so pleasant, now clogged with semis.

We dropped into Copan for a quick afternoon lunch, a mistake. Via Via was closed, the town was clogged with Tuk tuks.

Like Antigua,,
":They paved paradise and put in a parking lot"
if only there was a parking lot

This Covod business has shown us the future.

[bill_bly_ca]

Not 1st hand but reading flts in and out are not full as they had been. Some company has a $650rt leaving MGA 29th, returning Jan 7th or so.

I seen that same ad - I said "Hey Chilo - here is a flight from Miami $650(US) return for one week." All she said was they can comir mierda ...

[Daddy-YO]

The Pirate is back in country! All is aright in Nicaragua. El-patron-mas-querido-de-Condega has returned. Women, laborers, hogs, chickens, maiz y frijoles, all are feliz in this Christmas season for the man has again assumed his place on the mountain. Joy to the world, well, Nicaragua's corner of it. And TRN once again regains proper perspective.

Tica Bus is running from MGA to El Salvador. I don't know what Covid test requirements are for El Salvador, but it might be an option for the adventuresome.

I do know that Covid tests are available in Tegus in the $40 range. We paid $45 in Guatemala and got a 2 hour result.

The Tica bus we saw at Guasale was full. There was little private vehicle traffic, and was all C4 vehicles. No one was selling insurance in Guasale, probably because of the non existent demand.

We paid less than $300 to import the truck contents, but we did have to unload everything for revision.

The process was, first present evidence of Covid test. That went very quickly. Then to migration, price was $13 for Shelley, up a buck. Free for me.

This took a while,, there were two officials working and no lines. It took the same time for a Nica Salvadoreño couple to get their passport stamps.

The aduana guys we initially dealt with were very nice, and were lobbying for us NOT to have to unload. There is a large, separate, commercial clearance at Guasale, and a Señora from that side finally came over to review our load. There was a LOT of commercial traffic, as opposed to the minimal private clearance.

But,, everything seemed to be taking forever, not just for us. And the Tica bus must have been there at least an hour.

I had previously planned on driving back in a Ford F250 that I have here, but that requires getting the transmission up to Tapachula, rebuilt, and back.

Another option would be to find a transmission shop in Managua and ship the parts kit down.

We had no problem entering Guatemala, but Honduras requires a "Prechequeo" that you can do on your phone. Neither Honduran customs or immigration asked for it.

The Hondurans allowed our load to pass duty free. Unfortunately, El Florido is no longer just a private vehicle crossing. It used to be so pleasant, now clogged with semis.

We dropped into Copan for a quick afternoon lunch, a mistake. Via Via was closed, the town was clogged with Tuk tuks.

Like Antigua,,
":They paved paradise and put in a parking lot"
if only there was a parking lot

This Covod business has shown us the future.

[cookshow]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn...est/index.html

Covid test to get into USA.

Only test in Nica $150 each, see if they go up now.

[el duende grande]

Gee, could the US only be 11-12 months late?

Googled rt flight to MIA, $700 plus for direct flight, options for 17-24 hr flights from $550 to $1100.
Plus 150 for test and ? for return test.

They are taking all the fun out of living at the end of the world.

Checked rt mia to sjo, non-stop from $183. Of course it wouldn't work because the CR land border is only one-way for tourists.

[Daddy-YO]

Fucked coming. After January fucked going.

Imagine the bureaucratic nightmare on entering the US. The CDC will not accept just any lab's test results. Otherwise . . . there are diploma mills, why not covid-test-results mills? Some local travel agent will be in on the con.

Maybe the CR land border will open to gringos soon?
There's always Ticabus to Tegus, San Pedro Sula, or San Salvador, whereever Spirit goes.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn...est/index.html Covid test to get into USA.

[cookshow]

According to TV the holiday surge is hitting now, guess yesterday was a record setter, & today expected to be same, and so on.

Bigger surprise than testing required to enter States is that any Country would allow someone coming from States to get in without a test. This morning hearing that they are recommending those entering to also be tested again 3 - 5 days after arrival.

Not sure why now, guess they figure going to get worse, or maybe taking a cue from Ortega and hoping to keep outsider prying eyes from observing Democracy at it's best.

Inauguration day is looking to be a bigger fireworks show than 4th of July if media is to be believed.

Strange times no doubt.

[cookshow]

Prices coming down, or just more canceled flights..

[bill_bly_ca]

Some perpetual tourists are making noise that their most recent 30 day extension will be their last and they will be compelled to take a charter out.

As it is 2021 maybe they want the fewest possible foreigners there the the events in Nov - Can't see why they would otherwise actively expel an influx of $US.

[cookshow]

And now after several extensions immigration knows exactly how to find you. Few months back immigration was going out and checking on people.

Saw a few reports in recent weeks of foreign biz owners being called into immigration and being politely reminded to stay out of Nica politics.

[el duende grande]

Don't try to go to c4 if you have been in Nic. more than 90 days. They will tell you to go to CR and try again. Except you cannot go to CR by land.

Report on another site that new permanent residences are for 6 months, not 5 years. You check in with them for a renewal, they no longer have to check in with you. Among other things, this is a real pita for travel, including c4. An expired cedula is only valid in Nic.

Ticos are bat-shit crazy, broke, and desperate. Could this be a negative indicator of future success?

Just practical tips from a practical person.

[Jonh]

Ticos are bat-shit crazy, broke, and desperate.

Costa Rica - the next Nicaragua! Get in on the ground floor!

[el duende grande]

Funny, I used to tell people online that CR and Panama were the closest places to move (for a 10 year hold). Now I say Portugal and Uruguay are the closest since none of us can afford the British or Dutch islands.

[el duende grande]

Copa resuming regular flights once a week for Jan-feb to test it out.
Bad news their direct Cd. P.- Las Vegas flight has not resumed. Vegas is a ghost town right now so no wonder. Somehow a 10 hour layover in Los angeles does not enthuse me. I am getting too old for this crap.

Other bad news, I expedia'd copa from MGA and they are offering flights that do not exist for the other 6 days of the week.

Interesting webpage--they list arrivals and departures from major airports. Seems to be accurate, other than mga page is cluttered with cancelled AA flights. Also shows weekly routes, including the Jan 20 to Cd. P

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/mga/routes

[Daddy-YO]

I noticed in one of the write-up about the coming covid test required by CDC to enter the US that both PCR and antigen tests will be acceptable. The antigen test is quick & cheap.

A quick glance at FlightRadar24, it looks like Spirit is flying in & out of San Pedro Sula to FLL. Viva Spirit! AA flights cancelled.

Inaugurate-the-Steal, virtually, of course, with twice the number of troops serving in both Iraq & Afghanistan, in DC as the only audience of the virtual thief-in-chief.

[cookshow]

I am doubting the COPA flights, even the Venezuelans pulled out. See posts about people bussing to El Sal to fly out. Not seen any posts about Hon yet but sure are out there.

Guessing once covid test for states kicks in MINSA will be overwhelmed, posts I see now say is already busy, people lining up few hrs before 7am opening.

[el duende grande]

They mentioned that this is a test. I bet if they have to cancel flights or reject too many paid customers they will back out. They are undoubtedly in a bad spot--they have to fly somewhere or go broke. 1 day a week keeps their foot in the door and keeps 1 plane running.

No telling where the xmas meltdown will lead international flight from feb-april. Same same land borders.

1 source, I think it was a health dept in the US, said they do not have the staff to do both testing and vaccinations. Minsa may be in the same boat.

[cookshow]

A bargain....

[bill_bly_ca]

Una Via is one way right?

[cookshow]

Si

[cookshow]

Saw this on the FB, crossing to Honduras to catch a flight.


"For those of looking for alternatives of leaving Nic other than CR. Yesterday we made it to Tegucigalpa through the Las Manos-border crossing. It was a 4.5 hour drive from Granada to the border (Tipitapa, Estelí, Condega). We were left by our driver on the Nic-side and our honduran transportista Orlando was waiting for us on the other side. It is a short walk from the first aguja to the migration and MINSA-office. It only is muddy and dirty, so don’t wear white sneakers like me ��. At the first aguja they check your papers and you have to fill the Customs-form as you get on the plane before arrival. We had our covid-tests made on saturday at Conchita Palacios and did the pre-check for the Honduran authorities at their INM-website (www.inm.gob.hr). Everything went smooth on the Nic side, they check your covid-test and you have to pay a 1-Dollar fee for each person (except Nicaraguans). The fee has to be paid in USD, they don’t accept Cordobas, preferably the exact amount, because they don’t have change. We were lucky to find a cambista, but he only helped us buying some lempiras, and gave me the change in US. Unfortunately, just at the moment we crossed to HDR, the medical personnel had been called for an important meeting, so there were no one to attend us and check our health-paperwork. At migración HDR they did not attend us and let us wait several hours, nearly 4 to be more precise. We were travelling with our 13- and 9-years-olds and they finally showed some compassion admitting us, without the special medical OK. After that, we were so happy, that we nearly didn’t feel the 3-hour drive to Tegucigalpa. If everything goes well, we will catch our flight on time within a few hours."

[Daddy-YO]

I saw in Zuck's domain that one clever fellow flew Avianca from MGA to SJO by connecting thru (waiting a couple hours) the San Salvador airport. Couldn't have been cheap.

Would still prefer Ticabus or Nicabus to Tegus or San Pedro Sula.

[el duende grande]

CDC seems to be in the CDC business now. Covid test to get in the US, plus another when you arrive, plus 7 day self-quarantine. Nobody asks why they didn't do this last January with all the flights from China. Remember the "xenophibia"?