🚐 Planning the Pan-American Highway

Hey adventure seekers!

We’re back with a brand new update as we prepare for something massive. After four and a half unforgettable years in Costa Rica, the next chapter of our journey is about to unfold.

We’re planning to take on The Pan-American Highway — the ultimate road trip from North to South (or vice versa) across the American continent. This blog is all about how we’re prepping for it, what we’ve learned so far, and how it all came together.

But before we dive into planning and logistics, let’s rewind a little.

🌍 A Trip Down Memory Lane

Back in the late 2020s, we left everything behind—our jobs, our belongings, our routines—to start a life of full-time travel. Our original plan? Kick things off in Australia. But then… yeah. 2020 happened.

Borders closed, flights were canceled, and we were grounded—literally. After months of searching, we found a small window of opportunity and landed in Costa Rica. What was meant to be a short house sit turned into one of the most profound chapters of our lives.

We discovered a true paradise on earth. Over the years, we explored every corner of the country, producing more than 780 videos and Shorts. Costa Rica wasn’t just a stop—it became our home. Until life nudged us again.

The long-term house we were staying in got sold. Around the same time, our hard drive crashed, taking all our Costa Rica footage with it. That loss hit hard. But it also sparked something: a sense that it was time to continue what we originally set out to do.

And what better way to hit the road than to take on the most legendary drive in the world?

🛣️ The Pan-American Highway: What to Know Before You Go

This journey stretches from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina. You can't drive it completely though—there’s a wild stretch between Panama and Colombia called the Darién Gap, where you’ll have to ship your vehicle and fly over.

We estimate the full trip will take 18 to 24 months, depending on how deep we dive into each country.

We’ve done a ton of research, and here are some key planning tips:

🌞 Alaska is best visited in June–September for good weather and possible Northern Lights. (end September to April)

❄️ Avoid winter in both hemispheres. Ushuaia (Southern Argentina) is ideal between December and March.

🚫 No drones in Nicaragua — they’ll be confiscated, and you’ll be fined. You’ll need to mail them around the country via Costa Rica or Honduras.

🚙 No right-hand drive vehicles allowed in Costa Rica. So if you're thinking of bringing one from the UK, think again.

🔍 Finding the Right Vehicle (Without Spoiling the Surprise)

We’re not revealing what we bought just yet but we can share what we learned along the way.

Let’s just say… this process has been a rollercoaster.

Our original idea was to get a brand-new motorhome. Comfortable, reliable, long-lasting… and wildly expensive. Prices ran anywhere from $70,000 to $150,000. And most were too heavy for our driver’s license limit (3,500 kg max for a B license).

So we started exploring converted vans, truck campers, and lightweight rigs. We had to consider a lot:

🚿 Do we really need a shower? (It adds a lot of weight and space.)

🛏️ Can we fit in the bed? (We’re tall!)

🍽️ Is the kitchen inside or outside? (Think wind and cold.)

🪑 Is there room to sit inside comfortably?

🧠 How reliable is it — and how easy to repair on the road?

We talked to seasoned overlanders, posted in Pan-Am travel groups, and spent weeks researching and scrolling listings. Every day taught us something new—and revealed new hurdles. But in the end, we found what we were looking for.

One thing was clear: gut feeling and timing are everything. Like our first car in Costa Rica, which we bought sight unseen and which served us flawlessly across the country. We trusted that the right vehicle would show up. And it did.

We found a converted RAM ProMaster 2500 that had the right size bed, a shower, a portable toilet, kitchen, solar panels and a bunch of extra's. Of course we will give a tour once we pick it up. We are super excited and are looking forward to see the car for the first time. Then hit some shops and the road. The adventure begins, up up & away!