Rides
Requirements
| Carnet de Passage | not required |
| Insurance | compulsory third party insurance |
| International driving permit | require IDP 1949 |
| Travel Visa | 90 days |
How to ride your own motorcycle in South America
Taking your own bike to SouthAmerica is as easy as it gets. Unlike many countries you don’t need an expensive and complicated Carnet de Passage (effectively a passport for the bike); instead you just need to get a free-to-apply-for letter of exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency, sort out some insurance cover for the bike as your UK policy won’t cover it, and finally find a way of getting it there.
Air freight is more expensive, but quicker and more predictable. You can fly a bike into any major city, have a couple of hours process collecting your bike, dealing with customs documentation and then be on your way. Price wise you’re looking at around £2,200 return for sea freight, and approximately £2,500 for air freight in and sea freight out.
How to rent a bike in South America.
Bike rental in South America is set up for the incoming tourist, with most of the main tourist hubs having shops with bike rental facilities. Most offer only Harley Davidsons or Indians, with few other options for sports or adventure-style machines, with prices from around £200 for a day or £1,300 for a week by the time you’ve added the insurance options.
You need understandable documents.
It is also worth printing off the Constat Amiable D’accident Automobile, which is used across numerous and other countries (the downloadable one on our website has English as well as French).
Bike insurance for riding in South America.
Medical horror stories abound from South America, with cost of treatment in the event of an accident not to be taken lightly, so good travel insurance is a must. Check the small print: a lot of companies exclude the riding of bikes over 125cc, and most insist on you wearing a helmet, irrespective of State laws – whoever you choose, always check everything’s covered. Motorcycle specific policies should cover costs incurred if your rental vehicle breaks down, as well as costs of any damaged gear in the event of a spill. Also look for off-road riding cover to avoid any grey areas if you do wish to ride the trails.
If you’re taking your own bike, then you’ll also have to insure it with a broker out there. Fernet and Motorcycle Express are more expensive but do explicitly cover a foreign vehicle for fully comprehensive with breakdown cover included. Expect to pay a few hundred pounds for a month’s cover, depending on your vehicle’s size and age.
Do I need travel insurance?
Just like any holiday, a trip on a motorcycle – be it in the UK, Europe or beyond – can be ruined by delays, lost documents, illness and more. There are plenty of travel insurance options, but you need to make sure you get a policy that includes riding motorcycles, and if it does, that it’s for bikes of the engine size you’ll be riding (many only cover up to 250cc). At its most basic, you should look for insurance that provides cover for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Loss or theft of personal possessions
- Lost or delayed luggage
- Loss of your passport and other documents
- Travel delays and disruptions
- Having to cut your holiday short
In addition though, if you’re taking a motorcycle (or you’re renting one while you’re away) be sure that your insurer will cover you for any medical expenses, should you have an accident. You must also think about where you’re riding – some policies won’t cover you if you’re trail or enduro riding, or if you’re on a race track. Remember – this isn’t about your bike being covered, it’s about your medical expenses, should the worst happen.
If you’re only going away once, a single-trip policy will likely be all you need, but also consider an annual policy, which could extend to cover your family holidays too (a good insurer should also be able to offer cover for your whole family).
Maps
Costa Rica Adventure Map £14.93
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Please note, this page was correct when written in August 2025.