Carnet

"The Carnet guarantees to a foreign government that the vehicle it identifies, having been granted temporary importation status, will be removed from the country within the time limit imposed by the respective jurisdiction or if not, that the country will be paid all duties and taxes that would be required to permanently import the vehicle. Using the Carnet is an alternative to leaving cash security deposits with foreign governments. It allows free movement and unencumbered access between foreign countries. Use of the Carnet is restricted to the countries listed on the back cover. It is valid for one year from date of issue." - Canadian Automobile Association.

Fortunately, no governments in the Americas require a Carnet, so we're off the hook on this expensive piece of paperwork.

Health Insurance

We're looking into global Life-Flight type services and insurance at the moment.  There are a few good options, but we'll keep you posted on the service best suited for our ride.

International Driving Permit

The International Driving Permit is required for 'operation of a motor vehicle' in most of the countries we'll be going through. It's valid for one year after the issue date and costs $15 from AAA.

Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycle Insurance...

Vaccinations

Having no better place to put this section, the inoculations we'll need are listed below.

Update: Tony got his shots!

Having already been shot with Hep A and B 5 years ago, my doctor (Dr. Douglas) recommended Yellow Fever and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (TDaP), which I was promptly injected with. 

I was prescribed Doxy cycline for Malaria and told to try it for a week during the summer to see if I have an allergic reaction or breakout.  I need to start taking one pill/day 2 days before entering an affected area and continuing  28 days after I leave the affected area.

He also gave me a prescription for 4 months worth of Typhoid tablets, as well as 20 Cipro pills for extreme cases of Montezuma's Revenge (recommened Immodium AD for mild cases).

He also gave me an interesting idea for Mosquito Repellent - Dilute Deet 50% with Eucalyptis oil to help it apply easier and smell better.

Recommended:

• Malaria (2 weeks before travel)
• Polio
• Typhoid (10 days before travel)
• Hepatitis A (2 weeks before travel)
• Tetanus-Diphtheria (3 months before travel)
• Yellow fever (10 days before travel)

Sometimes Recommended
• Tuberculosis (3 months before travel)
• Rabies (1 month before travel)

Visas

Brasil requires a visa for US citizens, granting a 90-day tourist stay beginning no later than 90 days after it's issued.

Paraguay requires a visa, but is not currently in our route plan, so we're not worried about it at this point.