Posts Tagged ‘passport’

Passport covers come in a variety of colors and styles but they all have one thing in common. They help protect your passport. Why does this matter? A damaged passport cannot be used for international travel. You will be required to apply for a replacement if your travel document becomes damaged. This is bad for two reasons.

One, passport replacements requires you to pay extra fees. The minimum cost is $100 but it could reach as much as $400 if you require rush passport expediting through a private expediter service. Two, passports that are damaged are not eligible for renewal by mail. You will have to start from the beginning and apply for a new passport. This requires signing the application form in the presence of an authorized agent at the nearest passport application acceptance facility. This will cost you both a good amount of money and a lot of your precious time.

Using a passport cover is a practical way to help protect this important travel document and avoid unnecessary expenses. Inexpensive passport covers start at about .95. Certainly, you could opt for a name-brand passport cover that would cost you quite a bit more if you prefer something that is a little more stylish. You will usually pay less for a passport cover than you will for a travel wallet that has pockets for your passport, currency, credit cards, boarding pass and more.

The cheaper passport covers are generally made from nylon although it is possible to find a fairly good leather cover that is fairly inexpensive. The majority of passport covers are made of leather. Some passport covers are made from harder, more rustic leather while others are made from soft, yet durable, leather.

Passport covers are being manufactured in an ever-increasing number of colors. Not too long ago, a traveler had the choice between either a black or brown passport cover and that was it. Presently, it is possible to acquire one in just about any color you desire. You'll find passport covers in black, brown, red, yellow, blue, purple, green, etc. You can choose your favorite color or get one that matches your luggage.

You will probably be surprised at the large number of colors and textured materials available for passport covers. There are those that are cross-stitched. Even faux alligator skin is available. Still others have stripes or abstact patterns.

When you purchase a passport cover, another option you have is to choose one that has either the word "Passport" impressed on it or a stamp of the emblem of the United States. You do not have to choose either one if you do not want to.

As you can tell, you have quite a few options when it comes to choosing a passport cover. While the purpose of a passport cover is to protect your passport from damage, there is the added benefit of choosing a color and style that reflects your personality and likes.

Crossing the border (frontera) from one country to another in Central America is relatively easy except going into Costa Rica. Without going through long border crossings you can drive the PanAmericanana Highway from Guatemala to Costa Rica all the way.

Every country likes to be unique. Costa Rica is no exception.They decided for you another adventure if you are planning to travel by road.

This can take anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours +…

Driving your vehicle when crossing becomes a little bit more complicated. If you are planning to take another’s person vehicle… It is prefarable if you do not try doing that.

The list below is more helpful for those who drive their vehicle. Not thinking of driving? Then just delete those parts ot items pertaining to vehicles.

Items required:

• a couple of pens – in case one gives up on you
• valid passport with current stamps
• valid exit visa stamp if you are a resident of Nicaragua but not a citizen
• valid exit documentation for your Nicaraguan vehicle should you be driving. At least, depending on your luck with the local officials this can take a half a day or two days. At the town where your vehicle is registered, this is given from a local Policia-.
• valid vehicle registration card – circulation
• proof of insurance for your vehicle
• cedula – should you be a resident
• valid drivers licence.
• 3 photocopies of your passport (main page), vehicle registration, insurance certificate, exit visa for your vehicle, cedula, (include front and back side of all documents that have printing or stamps)
• patience – generally more then usual – simply because you do not know what kind of adventure you are going to run into.
• a spare batch of patience just waiting for the real fun adventures you may have.
• a high dose of positive attitude and humor
• plenty of small denomination bills – Cordobas or dollars (US) on the Nicaraguan side and Calones or dollars (US) on the Costa Rica side. Contrary to what some believe the adventure of dealing with the coyotes can leave with a better exchange rate. If you plan to do that you would have to know the exchange rates.

Most of the time it takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour. it can take longer if the traffic at the boarder is heavier than the usual. Equal time for each country.

Leaving Nicaragua:

First charge. The charged for 4 people to cross the boarder with a vehicle is 80 Cordobas (about $4.00). Tax for the local town. Depending on the quantity of people in the vehicle.

After you have paid for the entrance into the boarder you must go to the offices where you obtain a free customs form. When you get to see all the buses lined up in the center that is where the building is. To register where you are from where you have been, and .where you are going….

Have your Passport out and ready to fill the proper information out. (Both in English and Spanish the forms are generally bilingual most of the times)

As soon as you have the forms completed you must stand in line…

…  Did I mention patience?

While the Migrations Officials stamp your passport and send you to your merry way. Non-resident’s charged $5. The prices can changed at any time.

IF you are traveling with your own vehicle you must also go to another office on the Nicaragua side.

On the Nicaragua side you will obtain an inspection paper from the local inspector; then if you are lucky and the Policia are close by you should have them sign off on the inspection.

With the vehicle inspection form signed off by both the

• inspector and
• Policia

you then get to stand in line to have the migration officer check for

• properly signed vehicle inspection,
• the proper registration,
• insurance,
• exit papers for your vehicle, and
• driver’s license.

Once they approve then you go to the next line to wait and have the Policia check for the proper registration, insurance, exit papers for your vehicle, and driver’s license.

To be able to continue to the next stop- the migration exit post, everything has to be certified previously so that you received a vehicle exit ticket.

At the exit before proceeding to the fumigation office; hand your exit ticket to the official at the exit post. The cost will be 60 Cordobas (approx). $4.00) and this for the spraying of your vehicle to disinfect it before going into Costa Rica.

Later, you drive to the Costa Rica boarder buildings and …

Join us for the rest of the adventure of crossing the border…Literally saving hours to other motorists!

Aside from airline tickets, you will need passports for you to travel across state borders and most especially, across nations. It is basically a means of identification during travel. Passports prove that its holder is a registered citizen of his home country. You can get a expedited passports but most of the time they cost more

Persons who want to have a passport should understand that different states and countries implement different rules and regulations when it comes to passport issuance. You will also be required a passport-sized photo along with some documents such as birth and tax certificates, clearances, and the like. Different locations also charge varying fee for passport application. Don’t worry it’s nothing that’s going to make you consider bad credit mortgage.

Conventional passports are issued in booklet form and attached in each page are your visas, while modern passports can go as far as embedding integrated circuits and chips on its surface. Aside from serving as travel document, it will also work fine as a valid ID. Its accurate and highly reliable data makes it a preferred identification means in most cases.

If you are to travel abroad, be sure to put your passport in your hand-carry luggage or better yet, place it in your suit pocket. It is one of the first things asked for in the airport and so, it is necessary to keep it accessible. You should also keep it safe from damage because you will certainly be in trouble if you had your passport spoiled.

In addition to its lawful purposes, passport also gives you discounts and freebies. It can also be a discount card in selected stores on the country you visited. However, this is not true in all countries and stores but still, this is a good news for travelers and shoppers alike. Techies will also benefit from this because bigger discounts await them if they buy gadgets and cool stuff such as digicams and laptops. Some stores slash 15 to 20 percent from the original price if you can present genuine passport. Plus, they sometimes offer free items such as memory cards and other goodies. They do this to attract foreigner customers and boost their sales and at the same time, help in promoting their country’s tourism.

Behind all these, you should be aware of some issues regarding your passport. You might face immediate deportation if you will fail to bring it with you while you are abroad. Lost or stolen passports should be reported to proper authorities at once. Remember that identity theft because of lost or stolen passports is one major problem that is common to most countries. Lastly, to continue enjoying your passport’s purposes, you should have it renewed regularly. It is easy to check when the passport is due to expire since this information is also indicated. Have a safe trip and make sure you don’t need a florida dui.