I had been cycling for many days, occasionally taking a bus but mostly making my way on the bike. When I started it seemed like it was going to take a long time to get anywhere, but later when I checked a map it was hard to believe I was in the middle of the country, and then I was getting close to the Nicaragua border.
The last leg from Playa Hermosa though looked questionable. I knew it was more than I could bike in one day but there didn’t look like there were any towns or possible places to stay along the way. I have a tent for emergencies, but spending the night in the countryside in a tent wasn’t really what I wanted to do. So, I decided to take a bus to the border.
I was very glad I had made this decision. I was correct that there was nothing out there but untamed land. There is the Parque National Santa Rosa, and then the Parque National Guanacaste. Beyond them is the town of La Cruz which might have a hostel or two but was definitely farther than I could ride in a day. I was safe and comfortable on a bus that would get me to the border in plenty enough time to bike from there to the ferry to Ometepe Island.
We made it to the border in a couple hours, a distance that would have taken me a couple days to cycle. It was also hot, windy, and sunny so I know the weather would have been a challenge. With the bus though, I was at the border fresh and ready to go.
The border crossing went wonderfully smoothly. I paid my $7 exit tax out of Costa Rica, took the receipt to customs where there was no line, and was stamped through immediately. Then I rode a short ways to the Nicaragua border where I was shown to the first stop. They took my temperature by shining a little red light on my wrist, pronounced me fine and gave me a small piece of paper. Then I was sent to customs where I paid $1, I am not sure for what. I took that receipt, the filled out customs form, my health paper and again with no line, gave it all to the agent who asked me where I was going and stamped me through. The next stop was baggage check where they took one look at my loaded bike and just waved me through. The final stop was leaving the area for the open road where an agent checked my passport, asked where I was going, and welcomed me to Nicaragua as he sent me on my way. I don’t think it even quite noon and. I was ready to get rolling!
The Panama Adventure 
I love it when there are no queues, especially when I’ve gotten myself prepared to have to queue!
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That was definitely a pleasant surprise!
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I’m with you all the way.. So glad you cleared the hurdles between the borders, but I’m wondering if there were guys trying to help you on the Nicaragua side, “Miss.. Miss.. come this way.. I help you..” ….. “Lady, Lady.. I help you… ”
Well next is that grand ferry ride! Say Hi to Debbie and Ron for me! Z
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There are always guys willing to help anywhere that people might be confused and a few cents can be made. I kind of remembered it from before though so it wasn’t hard.
Deb and Ron say hi too!
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Looks like you are getting around well. I hate to read maps, so I know I could never do what you are doing without getting lost. What a great adventure to remember later. Drive safe, enjoy your trip.
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Thankfully here it is very hard to get lost since there is usually only one road going through. They also have good signs here and you can always ask if you aren’t sure. You would probably be fine here!
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I’m so impressed with you for attempting this dufficult journeu and adventure . you ate an inspiration me and many others . R u alone now? to I’m confused to whether you’re still traveling with someone? I wish you safe journeys and hope tour safe and well. Hope to me you this fall in David
Mike from maine
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you so much 🙂
We traveled together until Quepos where she went to San Jose, and I continued along the coast.
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Shining a light on your wrist must be a new device to measure temperature. I never heard of that before. Glad you got through the border easily.
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I’d never seen anything like that before either, but it seemed to work well enough. It was nice that the border crossing was so easy, for sure 🙂
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Joyussi@gmail.com. Hi. Joy I have been so frustrated not being able to reach you. Thanks for your kindness brim. Bringing us home etc overlook the errors love leonie
On Saturday, July 4, 2015, The Panama Adventure wrote:
> Kris Cunningham posted: “I had been cycling for many days, > occasionally taking a bus but mostly making my way on the bike. When I > started it seemed like it was going to take a long time to get anywhere, > but later when I checked a map it was hard to believe I was in the middle > of “
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Did you get connected OK?
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