Traveling through Central America by land is an adventure filled with diverse cultures, beautiful landscapes, and, admittedly, a bit of red tape at the borders. As a Filipino traveler aiming to visit every country in the world, my journey from Belize to Costa Rica last December gave me plenty of insights that I’d like to share, especially for those holding a Philippine passport. This guide is particularly focused on the process of land border crossings, fees, and important travel notes to help make your trip smooth and enjoyable.
Transportation Note: During my journey, I used public transportation to cross from Belize to Guatemala. For the rest of the trip, I relied on private transportation booked through a tour company, which made the process smoother and more efficient. This combination might be helpful depending on your budget and comfort level.
Location: Miami (USA) to Belize City (Belize) Requirements:
US Visa (required for Filipino passport holders)
Process: As a Filipino passport holder, I entered Belize by flying from Miami. To board the plane to Belize, I had to present my US visa at the airport. The airline staff asked a few questions about my travel plans, such as how many days I intended to stay in Belize and how I planned to exit the country. Fortunately, I had a pre-booked bus ticket to Flores, Guatemala, which I showed as proof of my onward journey. This was sufficient for them to allow me to board the plane.
Once in Belize, the entry process was smooth, and the key focus was ensuring I had a clear exit plan from the country. If you plan to visit Belize, make sure you have your travel documents in order and can demonstrate your onward travel plans.
Location: Benque Viejo del Carmen (Belize) to Melchor de Mencos (Guatemala)
Fees:
Belize Exit Fee: Approximately USD 20 or 40 BZD (Belize Dollar)
Guatemala Entry Fee: None at the time of my travel.
Process: While exiting the Belize to Guatemala border, fall in line first at the payment section where you need to pay USD 20 or 40BZD. You can pay by card as I did. After payment, proceed to another line for immigration, where they will stamp your passport after verifying your receipt. Once that’s done, head to the separate building just ahead of the Belizean exit immigration building to enter Guatemala.
At the Guatemalan immigration, the officer asked for my visa. I showed my Canadian visa, which was accepted, allowing me to enter Guatemala. The officer also inquired about my next destination, and I informed her that I would finish my journey in Costa Rica.
Important Note: The number of days the immigration officer puts on the stamp on your passport is the number of days you are allowed to stay in the CA-4 (consists of Guatemala El Salvador,Honduras and Nicaragua) countries. I met someone who was stamped only for five days during their visit to Guatemala, which caused problems when they enter Honduras. They had to pay a hefty amount to extend their stay in the CA-4 countries. Double-check the duration to avoid such issues.
Location: Corinto or El Florido
Fees:
Guatemala Exit Fee: None
Honduras Entry Fee: Approximately USD 4 (or 30 quetzals at the time of my visit)
Process: During my visit, a couple of days before New Year’s Eve, there was a long single line to enter the building used for both exiting Guatemala and entering Honduras. Once you reach the building, make sure to go to the correct line. Since I was exiting Guatemala, I joined the line where the Guatemalan immigration officer stamped my passport for exit. Then, I had to fall in line again to enter Honduras.
When entering Honduras, you need to pay the required fee at the designated window (approximately 30 quetzals during my visit) and present your documents. Even though I presented my Canadian visa, the officer asked for my US visa, which I found out is the most preferred visa for entering Central America. While Canadian visas are technically accepted, US visas are more recognized by immigration officers, making the process smoother. To avoid language barriers and potential delays, I recommend bringing your US visa if you have one.
Additionally, for some countries, entering Honduras requires proof of a yellow fever vaccination. I know someone from Paraguay who was held up at immigration because they forgot their vaccination certificate. Immigration had to call a doctor and run some tests before allowing entry, but surprisingly, they didn’t charge any fees.
Tip: The exit and entry points for Guatemala and Honduras share the same building, so pay close attention to which line you need to join.
Location: Valle Nuevo or Las Chinamas
Fees:
Guatemala Exit Fee: None
El Salvador Entry Fee: USD 12 for Filipino passport holders with a US visa.
Process: At this border, you will pass a building where you complete the exit process for Guatemala. The process is straightforward—fall in line to receive your exit stamp and then proceed toward the El Salvador entry building. If you are on a tourist bus, an immigration officer will board the bus before reaching the entry building to collect passports.
Some nationalities, such as US, Australian, and Canadian passport holders, are required to pay a USD 12 fee. As a Filipino passport holder using a US visa to enter El Salvador, I was also required to pay this fee because immigration officers treat a US visa as equivalent to a US passport. The officer collected our passports, paid the fees at the building, and returned the passports to us after verification. We then continued our journey.
Tip: At this border, locals offer currency exchange services. It’s a good opportunity to exchange your quetzals for USD. Take note that El Salvador uses the US dollar as its official currency, and they use one-dollar coin that might surprise you.
Location: El Amatillo
Fees:
El Salvador Exit Fee: None
Honduras Entry Fee: Approximately 3USD
Process: This border crossing is relatively straightforward but can get busy during peak times. On the El Salvador side, the process involves falling in line at the immigration office to receive your exit stamp. Ensure you check the details on your passport before proceeding to the Honduras side.
Upon entering Honduras, you will need to pay an entry fee of about USD 3 or the equivalent in lempiras. The immigration officers might ask for your visa or supporting documents. Having a US visa simplifies the process significantly as it is widely recognized and preferred over other visas. Once your payment is processed and your passport is stamped, you can continue your journey.
Location: Guasaule or El Espino
Fees:
Honduras Exit Fee: None
Nicaragua Entry Fee: USD 10 (tourist card) + USD 2 municipal tax.
Process: This border crossing requires a bit of walking. First, you need to get your exit stamp from the Honduras border control, which is located in a building near the border. Afterward, you must walk about a mile, carrying all your luggage, to the Nicaragua border control. If you’d prefer some assistance, there are bicycles with three wheels available to carry your luggage partway to the Nicaraguan border, but walking is still required to close the gap between the countries.
Once you reach the Nicaraguan border control building, the process involves two steps. First, fall in line at the outside windows for check-in, where they will check your yellow fever vaccination. Entry might be denied without this vaccination. After check-in, you need to go inside the building to join another line at the immigration office, where you pay the required fees.
As a Filipino passport holder, the immigration officers looked for my US visa upon entering. They held my passport temporarily for verification.
Important Note: Do not leave the immigration officer’s area until you have your passport back with you, as things could become complicated if you proceed without it.
Once your passport is returned to you, it will come with two pieces of paper: a receipt and a tourist card. Nicaragua does not place an entry stamp in your passport, so these documents are crucial and must be kept until you exit the country. After receiving your documents, proceed to the luggage scan. Once your luggage is scanned, you can exit the building and continue your journey.
Process: Nicaragua’s border process was slightly longer due to additional security checks. Have your tourist card fee ready in USD for faster processing.
Location: Peñas Blancas
Fees:
Nicaragua Exit Fee: USD 3 municipal tax + 1usd upon entering the building
Costa Rica Entry Fee: None
Process: To exit Nicaragua, you need to carry your luggage into the border control site and enter the building. There are bicycles available to help transport your luggage, but they only assist up to the entrance. Before entering the building, pay a USD 1 municipal fee to an immigration officer stationed outside and obtain a receipt. Once inside with your luggage, fall in line to meet the immigration officer for the exit stamp. You will be asked to pay a USD 3 exit fee and show your tourist card along with any receipts. After verification, your passport will be stamped for exit.
Be aware that rules in Nicaragua can change unexpectedly. For example, I know someone who was held up at the exit due to their cameras and binoculars, requiring documentation and paperwork. This caused a delay of several hours as officers addressed similar cases one by one.
After exiting the building, you must walk several kilometers to the Costa Rican border control. While bicycles are available, they only cover the distance to the border itself, not to the Costa Rican control building. Walking is unavoidable.
At the Costa Rican border, fall in line at a building that includes a bank. Ensure you are in the correct line for entering Costa Rica. Once at the window, you may be asked questions such as your intended duration of stay and proof of onward travel. Filipino passport holders are visa-free in Costa Rica, so I was not required to show a visa. After answering the questions and receiving a passport stamp, proceed to the luggage scanning area.
Once your luggage is scanned, you can exit the building and walk a short distance to the parking area to continue your journey. Local money changers are available near the border if needed.
Process: The Peñas Blancas border is busy, so patience is key. Costa Rica’s entry was smooth and didn’t involve any fees.
Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua operate under the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4). This means your immigration stamp provides a cumulative 90-day (if granted by the immigration officer) stay across all four countries, not 90 days per country. Exceeding this limit can result in fines or complications. Always check the remaining days on your passport stamp.
Currency and Exchange Rates in Central America
Belize: Belize Dollar (BZD) 1usd to 2bzd
Guatemala: Quetzal (GTQ)
Honduras: Lempira (HNL)
El Salvador: US Dollar (USD)
Nicaragua: Cordoba (NIO)
Costa Rica: Colones (CRC)
While each country has its own currency, USD is widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. However, be cautious of exchange rates. Money changers often have varied rates, so check the current rate online or with reputable exchange services before transactions. Choose those offering rates closest to the official margin.
Have Small Bills in USD: Many border fees are payable in USD, and smaller bills are easier to use.
Check Visa Requirements: Some countries may require prior visas for Filipino passport holders. Confirm before traveling.
Keep Track of Your CA-4 Days: Overstaying can lead to fines.
Avoid Peak Hours: Early mornings are usually less crowded at borders.
Stay Vigilant: Border areas can be hotspots for scams, so be cautious.
Required Vaccines: Ensure you have all required vaccinations for entry. For instance, Nicaragua requires a yellow fever vaccination.
Learn Basic Spanish: Knowing some basic Spanish phrases can be very helpful when interacting with immigration officers, especially in non-English-speaking countries. Exiting Belize was straightforward for me because English is widely spoken there, but Spanish is essential for smoother communication in other countries.
Carry a US Visa: For Filipino passport holders, having a US visa ensures a smoother entry across most Central American countries, as it is widely accepted and preferred by immigration officials.
I hope this guide helps you navigate the borders of Central America with ease. My journey through this region has been a mix of cultural discoveries, logistical challenges, and unforgettable experiences. Each border crossing taught me valuable lessons about preparation and adaptability, from knowing visa requirements to learning basic Spanish phrases to communicate effectively with immigration officers.
Why did I not go to Panama? I visited Panama a couple of years ago during my South American journey. Panama is a must-travel destination—check out my blog for my stories about Panama.
If you have any specific questions about the process or need more tips, let me know in the comments section of my blog! Let’s explore the world one country at a time.
very helpful