US PASSPORT Relaxation this summer?

[Duesouthpacific]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19107675/
The site above is an article of the new plans this summer to catchup on passport applications.

Please inform us about entry and exiting countries and some of the easiest times you've had and some of the most difficult.

[lastconch]

The US may have relaxed but commerical transportation back requires a passport. There are heavy fines and penalties for bringing a person into the United States without proper docs. Even just from the Bahamas.

[Duesouthpacific]

I need to get a 4X4 down to Costa Rica from Texas. You don´t have to cross the Panama canal to get it to me.

[hellosailor]

DueSouth, what's to stop you from just driving it down? Otherwise, look up "auto transporters" in the TX or CR yellow pages, some of these services probably will carry internationally.

[Duesouthpacific]

Thanks for you help! If any one else knows of any ideas please let me know.

[Pura Vida]

Duesouthpacific,

Some friends of ours drove to Belize from the US. They hit the Mexican border with $5000 us and were broke when they finally crossed into Belize. Another group of buddies went climbing a couple of hundred kilometers outside of Mexico City and were stopped for bribes multiple times by the police.

As for getting into and out of countries Costa Rica is the most efficient, the Bahamas the most fun, Mexico the easiest, and the US is the worst period. On a flight from San Jose to the US it took us four hours from the time we landed to taxi to the gate, and get through immigration. When we got to customs the lines were hours long. A customs agent approached us and asked if Houston was our final destination. When we told him it was he escorted us, and several other people past the customs search points and onto the street. So much for security.

Your results may differ.

Tell everybody in Tamarindo howdy for us...

pv