We did our usual research and decided to cross the border between Guatemala and El Salvador at Valle Nuevo. We had read a few blogs and it seemed that most people crossed here with vehicles. All the usual paperwork was ready. Copies and Originals of vehicle documents passports and licenses etc. And most importantly the Import permit from Guatemala for the vehicle.
The first stop is at a station on the Guatemalan side of the bridge. Here we went to an office to get our exit visas for Guatemala in our passports. Then you go round the other side to another counter where a lady took our car documents and processed them, checking the car for authenticity. We got an export visa for the car. We had officially left the country.
Then it was on to the bridge and the El Salvador side. Here you pull in on the right. It’s far less official looking. Just a gazebo and a few lazy looking officials. They were very friendly though. No passport checks, no visa stamps just a temperature check at the gazebo opposite them. These guys just gave us a bit of paper proving we’d been checked and passed. Then you return to the first gazebo, they check the bit of paper and tell us to go on to the car import terminal which is across the street.
Here you knock on a door and a policeman takes your car documents and passport. Bit worrying but he did come back with them. They processed the car without too many checks. It seemed a little unofficial but they assured us we were good to go. And that was it. Probably the easiest crossing we have done.
We met some American cyclists who had cycled all the way from Alaska and were heading for Argentyina!! Fuck that. But good for them. We passed them again a couple of kilometres up the seriously steep hill away from the border and wished them well through the window of our air conditioned and extremely powerful motor. Thankful that we were not that mad after all.
Straight away, after the border, you notice the quality of the roads. Not a pothole in site. Smooth and well cared for. A big surprise for such a poor country.
And also a smile and a wave from every single person we met. It felt like they were expecting us and wanted us to feel at home. And we do already.
