Driving...

Got a Car Fixation?
OK...I'm gonna go over when and where not to drive and why. Then I'll hit what you gotta do if you want to drive.

2. How much money do you have? Take a rough estimate of budget...double it.

3. What are you driving? Is it sold all through the region? If not its a no go. Remember...you gotta be able to get it serviced. California vehicles have some mechanical quirks. Go to your local dealer. Develop a first name relationship with the parts department manager. But you want someone that you can trust to DHL or FedEX that part that the local dealer in Bolivia can't even pronounce. BTW...If you stay to the central valley of Mexico, the Panamerican in Central America and mainly the Pacific Coast route in South America...the roads are going to be a lot better than most would suspect. Even some of the Andean side loops are paved.

4. Are you aware of security concerns? Carjacking is only an issue really in a couple cities. If fact...for places like Mexico City...maybe a couple others...I would suggest finding a really secure parking place for a few days and taking public transport in to town.

5. How much time do you have? Me...I'd budget the better part of a year to go all the way to the tip of South America.

6. Buy insurance...even when not mandated.

7. Whatcha gonna do when you get to Tierra del Fuego? You are..I hope...aware that selling a car is a difficult process in most spots. When you enter the country it will be stamped in your passport and you better have the vehicle when you leave...could be some serious fees. Can you sell? Yeh..both legally and illegally...but it is a pain in the ass. Claiming it was stolen, wrecked or kidnapped by space aliens may seem like an idea...but very difficult to pull off.

8. OK..that is a start. Me...I wouldn't do it. Why? I go to have fun...not to become anal about my stuff. If you are going to do this you better be anal retentive, paranoid, schizophrenic(helps to have someone look after things part time) and obsessive compulsive...though the dodgy situation with handwashing facilities will present a whole other line of problems.

9. Uh...if you don't know what the Darien Gap is you have no business even thinking of this.

So what are the pros? Freedom - lots of freedom. You can go where you want and when you want.

Absolutely true. BUT...get a really good map of the country you want to visit...especially the big ones in South America. Now find a road that goes somewhere which is not serviced by either a bus or truck(common transport in remote areas). Ah hah...somewhere you can only reach by car. BUT...if no one goes there the likely reason is there is nothing there. AND...if you drive there and something happens(think paranoid at this point)..who is gonna be around to pull your nuts outa the fire?