Russian Rule #1 for Driving Across Borders - Avoid Popular Crossings
🏎️ After a year of driving through Latin America, I’ve learned the golden rule:
Never cross the border at a popular checkpoint. Expect three-hour lines, full vehicle searches, and customs agents who will confiscate your bananas (did you know banana fruit flies only travel in 4x4s with air conditioning, and can’t cross borders without the right passport color?). Also, you’ll be told you needed to pre-purchase a one-dollar printed toilet-paper-style form - and if you don’t have it, well… go find it in the dark somewhere, good luck.
The Best Border Crossings Are Remote, Dusty, and Empty
Always switch countries via high mountain villages or impassable jungle roads. Wind will be howling, no one will check your car, and every customs agent (and their dogs) will want a selfie with the random “ruso gringo turista.” You might even get offered coffee. As long as you don’t arrive during the lunch break of the single immigration officer, you’ll be through in 10 minutes flat.
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