Every time I fly in or out of Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica, the procedure is different and the employees are a little bit stricter. Rapid changes are taking place. Just four years ago, I could show up 30 minutes before a flight and board with drinks and all kinds of liquids, no problem. Just one year ago, my friends could saunter off the plane and through customs without having to know where they were going or what they were doing. They used to play pleasant Latin music over the loud speakers, now they are starting to follow the Western trends of broadcasting possible perils and threat level warnings.
It’s definitely different now.
Entering Costa Rica
I had a friend come to visit me in June, and he was held in the airport and not allowed through customs because he did not know my exact address. Sure, he could have just mumbled something about staying in any one of the big name hotels, but he was tired from a 12-hour flight, and under the impression that everything was pura vida. Not so much.
Customs turned him away and denied him entrance into Costa Rica. My friend forgot to bring my phone number with him, couldn’t find it online, and then resorted to trying to contact me through facebook. After an hour and a half, he finally got through to one of my friends in Costa Rica on facebook, who called my cell phone to let me know he was stuck inside and needed my address. Customs let him through no problem after he gave them the exact address… 200 north of the old bar that’s not there anymore, 100 meters east of the orange tree…
The last time I flew into Costa Rica from EWR (New Jersey), I was prohibited from checking in online. The airline’s message stated I had to show proof of exiting the country to the airport personnel. When I showed up to EWR, I tried to check in at a kiosk, which also denied me. An airport employee then came to assist, swiped her card to grant me permission to check-in, but never asked for my ticket out of the country. I had a ticket out, but never had to show it.
On the other hand, I was coming back into the country through the Nicaraguan border back in April during Semana Santa and despite there being 500 people in line behind me, the border guard insisted I show proof of exiting Costa Rica before I entered. It didn’t matter that I had four years of stamps in and out of the country, none of them EVER going over 90 days. I showed him my Tica bus ticket for the trip I was currently on and, miraculously, he let me through, although not without a scowl.
A couple years ago I was re-entering Costa Rica on foot through the Panamanian border at Sixaola. There were backpackers in front of and behind me. They were all stopped and denied entrance because they didn’t have exit tickets. I was admitted without an exit ticket and without question.
I know expats here who get stopped and interrogated every time they re-enter the country. I know expats who have never been stopped. It all depends on the border guard, but based on recent trends I think it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The problem is there are hordes of innocent tourists, volunteers, and temporary residents, including me, who want to travel and live short term in Costa Rica and they do not know the exact date they are leaving. It’s not that anyone is trying to rip off the government or trick someone; we just don’t know the exact date!
My solution is simple.
Buy a refundable ticket before entering the country. You can put a $1000 fully refundable ticket back to your country on a credit card, then cancel it as soon as you get the chance while in Costa Rica and it should be refunded within your card’s grace period so no worries. OR buy a 24-hour grace period ticket that allows you to cancel it without penalty within 24 hours of purchase. As long as you follow the law that says you have to leave every 90 days, it’s all good.
Bus tickets outside of Costa Rica are like 30 – 40 dollars, and change fees on airline tickets are like $150, so why waste that money if you are like me and can use it to buy cervezas or a day at the hot springs spa?
Requirements for entering Costa Rica
- A valid passport, with an expiration date outside of 6 months from the date of entry
- A ticket that has you exiting the country within 90 days of entering the country
Exiting Costa Rica
I can’t believe this has become a pain. I used to love going to the airport, being surrounded by the nice Latin music and calm security guards. Now, each time I go through security, they search deeper and deeper. Here are some things to keep in mind when exiting Costa Rica:
- You have to pay a $28 airport departure tax (exit fee). This can be done at the airport, or at Banco de Costa Rica on the day of or before departure. You are supposed to be able to pay it online, but this just looks like more hassle because you still have to pick up a receipt, so my advice is just don’t do it online. If you pay it the day of, give yourself extra time in case the line is long. The departure tax kiosk in the SJO airport is inside to the right. Pay with cash, Visa, or Mastercard, but beware that it’s a cash withdrawal (debit) so you might get stuck with charges from the credit card company. This particular tax is not required at the border crossings into Nicaragua or Panama, only at the airports.
- At the airport, there are 2 security checkpoints, not just one. The first one looks like all the others around the world. You check in, then stand in a line to go through the metal detector and x-ray machine. You have to take your belt, jacket, and shoes off. You have to take your laptop out. Etc. etc. etc. But they don’t check for liquid. However, the 2nd checkpoint is alllll about some liquid. This happens in the breezeway as you are boarding the plane. You and your bags get searched thoroughly by hand and if you have liquid, it better be small and in a plastic bag. They will take it if it is not. This SUCKS for those of us who like to take a bottle of water onto a dehydrating flight, but it’s their law and procedure, so we have to deal with it. Hmmm, I think I should also note here that this is where the racial profiling takes place. If you look slightly Middle Eastern, you will be taken out of line and practically strip searched. At least, this is what I have noticed only on the times I’ve flown. It’s not like I’ve sat down and done any formal research on the matter.
Wow. I thought I was going to write some quick tips about entering and exiting Costa Rica, but I totally got carried away with four years of pent up frustration at the trending change towards Westernized paranoia. I miss my pura vida airport workers. Lucky for me, I’m going through the process to get a work visa, so I don’t have to deal with this crap anymore. …Although, I guess we should all be incredibly grateful that we have options and it’s not completely screwed like the process foreigners go through just to enter the United States… yet.
Good stuff … thanks.
When leaving SJO last month, I was asked (very politely) to remove 5 metal clothes hangers from my garment bag … the same bag I have used as a carry-on for years, around the world (including CR many times). The times they are a-changing.
The bank tip still works great (departure tax). Sometimes, when I have time, I cross the street from arrivals, go up one level, cross street again to departures and pay the tax immediately upon arriving. Just have to remember to keep the receipt.
That’s a great tip to pay the tax when you arrive! (as long as you plan on leaving within 90 days) I used to pay it in advance but now I’m getting lazy and wait until the last minute at the airport. Ticos are rubbing off on me… 🙂
Hello Erin. I am moving to Costa Rica later this month. Is there a way that I can get in touch with you when I arrive there? There are several things that I need and maybe you can help me. I am an American, coming there to live permanently.
Thank you,
Jim
Hi Jim,
If you need graphic design or writing services, I am available for hire. If you need help moving, then I suggest getting in contact with a group such as ARCR who has made a business out of moving people to and setting them up in Costa Rica. I haven’t used them myself, so I can’t say what the experience is like except I have heard they are expensive. I think there are other options out there, too. I was lucky and had a huge Tico family help me.
Great article. The second security check always flips people out, that they’ll confiscate their airport purchased water, especially since sometimes (most) they set it up last minute.
I have had them take water from me at the first checkpoint but I haven’t tried lately since I know in the past they have taken it (this while they had second checkpoints).
On the airport departure tax if you use a plain old charge card (not tied to a bank account) they’ll charge it like a “cash advance”, which is going to have a $5-$10 (or more and maybe a percentage) fee from your credit company, that’s huge for a $28 charge. It’s the only feed I’ve even NOT been able to get my credit company to waive.
I usually don’t mix and match, but they’ve always been great with taking cash as part dollars and part colones from me.
I got hit with a $10 charge once, but got the money back from my credit card company by telling them that there was no notice that the charge was going to be a cash advance. Which was true. There is a sign up now, though, so I imagine the credit card companies got on the airport’s case.
You’re right about people flipping out at the 2nd security line, some of them go nuts when their drinks or lotions are confiscated. I was told once by an airport employee that the 2nd security check was set up because the airport wasn’t secure enough for international standards, but I haven’t verified that so I have no idea if that is true or not. Just a rumor.
The rumor may be true, but if you travel from SJO to Panama to the US, the 2nd security check is done in Panama, rather than in Costa Rica. I am guessing it has something to do with the airline flying to the US rather than the airport. Just a guess though.
The second security check on the flight ramp was originally designed to search carefully for narcotics. Colombia did this over ten years ago, and Costa Rica followed suit around 2005. It has been effective in reducing freelance drug trafficking. Keep in mind that just a kilo of cocaine is worth $50,000 in the U.S. or more in Europe.
There is also some racial profiling, believe it or not toward non-Costa Rican Latinos, especially those traveling to Europe. Typically this group is targeted for narcotics.
Airport planners are currently working to segregate arriving travelers. When completed, you will not be able to freely roam the terminal after arriving, and will be herded directly into immigration control, much like entering the United States.
Oh this is very interesting, thanks for your input!!
I wonder why they are so strict about liquids if they are really looking for drugs…maybe people hide drugs in liquid? …I’ve been watching too much Breaking Bad 🙂 Or maybe the process is simply evolving to include the infamous liquid search.
the 2nd security line is only for flights departing to the US for the most part, there is normally no such thing for flights departing South America etc. Its the ‘we have to be ULTRA careful because if there is ever a mess coming in from SJO the US will kick our behind”
Havent flown to the South in a while but if I recall correctly the liquids rule is only for heading North
and not sure if you have seen the latest and greatest idea imported from the US, they are spending 7 million dollars in building glass corridors to separate incoming and departing passengers, so if you are connecting in SJO (not that its a big hub but still!) you now have to be re-screened!!!!!
7 million to separate arriving passengers from the duty-free liquor store = TRAGEDY!!!!!
Adhere to passport rules, I’ve had more than one tour client be forced to go back to usa, overnight in fl to get new passport because it was within 3 months of expiration. -Stacey, san jose walking tours
That’s so sad! Make sure it’s good for 6 months, not just 3.
I love this conversation going on here in the comments – so much valuable input from everyone!
Having traveled in and out of CR this past year, I was much more fortunate in my experience and regret reading yours. The only thing security requested from me was my lighter as CR now has changed it’s smoking laws and these are more reinforced at the airport than they are in other places.
Other than this, my travel was a breeze and I lok forward to mty return very shortly!
My experiences are fine compared to my friends. I even have one friend who gets detained and questioned every single time she enters the country and she is so innocent, it’s a mystery why… unless they are hitting on her, maybe that’s what is going on lol.
The smoking laws are taken very seriously in the Central Valley. There are even plans to make them more strict. We’ll see… I hope your future flights go smoothly 🙂
to be fair, anyone that continously enters/reenters a country is suspicious. let me be the devils advocate ………..working in here without a work visa is ILLEGAL …….if we CRicans go to the US and do the same……..it wont work………our laws are STUPIDDDDDDDDDDD ,anyone that enters 3 months and exists for 3 days is NOT a tourist.
My ex once came into SJO with me and she had the stupid habit of not showing her cedula when you hand your docs, of course the guy pulls the list of ins/outs and he goes to call a supervisor ………I start to get upset and tell her to show her freaking cedula and by the time the guy comes back he is like ‘ohhhhhhh’
Yes, most people have no bad intention YET its not the way its supposed to be.
Luckily the idiots of my government have figured out that a different visa process is needed and it has improved to some extend.
All in all, despite whatever ‘obstacles’ I challenge someone from the US/Canada /Europe /Australia /etc to find ME a place where I can go 3 months in /3 days out and do nothing but spend money (and that is my situation , I wouldnt even have to take a job in place, I am one of those poor guys tortured by computers and my location doesn’t matter)
Keep this in mind, just as Americans may come to CR and be perfect visitors…..the same laws can be used by whatever misfit you can think of……3 months in/3 days out ………and not to be paranoid or xenophobic but I can pull out plenty of examples
Same deal goes with the anchor baby stuff………our laws are TOO LAX.
I don’t see any reasons to support your devil’s advocate argument that staying 90 days and leaving for 3 is suspicious. Maybe if Costa Rica was a desolate miserable place to be – but come on, it’s paradise here. Anyone that has the balls and the means to do so, tries to stay as long as they can. Is there a time limit on being a tourist?
As far as misfits abusing the system. What misfit is going to obey the 90 day in 3 day out law? Wouldn’t a misfit find a way around it or just outright disregard it? If they don’t have money, they can’t afford these border runs, if they do have money then they can just pay someone off. So catching misfits at the borders with these laws is not logical. I think they created it to generate revenue and keep track of how many perpetual tourists are here.
Anchor baby – are you referring to the law that allows residence (or is it citizenship?) to parents of a child born here? I think that’s awesome. Why do you want Costa Rica to be so closed off? Is no one else allowed to share in the beauty of this country? I don’t agree. Just like I don’t agree with how strict the US laws are. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to close the States off. I mean look at the money people have to spend and the crap they have to go through just to visit. The US is huge. And the current governing body was founded by immigrants, so it’s hypocritical. The laws in the States are too strict, trust me, you do not want Costa Rica to follow suit or you’ll become paranoid and start looking over your shoulder at every turn.
Perhaps it’s more distasteful to listen to the political opinions of foreigners who have some sort of opinion about how this country ought to handle its international affairs. If you have an opinion, then I encourage you to vote it, if indeed you are a fully functional part of this culture with voting rights.
Resident and tourist are just two different kinds of foreign visitors with a few extra, but important legal privileges, which can be revoked at ant time.
Costa Rica designed it’s 90 day thing for its own reasons. The immigration law was changed two years. If the powers that be wanted to really change it, then they would have done so.
As far as the “anchor baby”, political speak, just ask one of the 100,00 Nicaraguans who are applying for residency under an amnesty program how easy it has been for them.
I do tend to write long emails , my boss tells me
Let bring a hypothesis, you only get to deal with the good side of these so called perpetual tourists 🙂
The reason staying 90 days and leaving 3 is suspicious is because thats not the normal behavior of tourist. That’s crystal clear. A tourist does NOT work,if someone can live here for years without working there SHOULD BE a way to grant them legal residence, charge them a fee and go about their business, if they have some skill we dont have or lack enough people , again ,charge them , issue a permit and let them work AND pay taxes just like everyone else.
I don’t see how the goverment here benefits from ‘visa runs’ , its not like they own airlines /bus lines etc or prefer people to go and spend $ for 3 days somewhere else.
I know that in CA-4 countries (Nicaragua, Honduras etc) they put a STOP to these ridiculous ‘visa runs’ as you now have to exit their common area (if you are in honduras , going to nicaragua wont do, you have to go to Belize or CR)
Also they are working here on limiting how many times you can do these visa runs, as many other things, its in the works, may be it will never see the light of day (See this from a year ago , perhaps you already knew about it http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1879767 , now THAT makes sense, want to stay longer? show me a certain amount of cash/docs/bank statements or pay 100 dollars)
I also dont think its just the US that is ‘closed off’ as you call it (is it ‘closed’ with the amount of illegal and legal immigrants that are in ???) , any developed country has to be like that or else it will soon be swamped with people from everywhere. Canada, Europe, Australia etc. You can try the in 90 days /3 days out in any of those, it wont work. Controlled immigration is one thing, out of control like we (or the US ) has it is a very different one. (US visa system however IS ridiculous as it doesnt let enough legal people as it really needs for its economic support)
Ours laws are ridiculous and easy to abuse, visiting CR for “10 years” is ridiculous, marriage by proxy (Where you have never even met your ‘husband’/’wife’) is also ridiculous and the anchor baby , imho is also ridiculous. They are also ridiculous for not allowing people in that we need to let in and charge them something.
The cost of living here is out of control so that will decrease both perpetual tourists but more often people wanting to retire here, they will just look for a cheaper/better/safer place (Panama for the ones that liked developed or Nicaragua for the opposite, two people I know just moved from Puerto Viejo to Roatan for example)
I have NOOO objection to hot American girls working as bartenders in Puerto Viejo BUT that they are taking a job , they are. And no country in the planet likes when a foreigner takes a job from a local, thats why the fine for businesses if you are found out working illegally is now (I am told ) 8k USD, there should be something like a job/exchange program like there is for CR and other students to go and work in resorts in the US (Australia etc also has even better agreements with the US)
I don’t know about you but I do watch over my shoulder when I walk anywhere 🙂
and to finish my diatribe, I recently heard of a study claiming that opening up the borders everywhere would benefit the economy (After an initial decrease in wages in the richest countries).
ok done now 🙂
People have to pay taxes and fees to the Costa Rican government every time the border is crossed. The gov’t also benefits from the taxes paid by companies earning income from people moving from one place to another: gas, transportation tickets, food, etc. Movement generates revenues, revenues generate taxes…
From 2005 to 2009, the number of people who work from home increased by 60+%. In 2016, it’s estimated that 1 out of every 5 people from the US will be location independent. http://mashable.com/2012/07/30/the-wireless-generation/
Location independent. Why stay in one place if you don’t have to? Being location independent, falling in love with Costa Rica or some other friendly warm weather place – this is not suspicious behavior. It’s the future.
Location independence would work if the World had equality in many things (access to resources, conditions of living etc) , that future is veryyyyyyy far away if not a total utopia. If not, look at Haiti, Cuba, Miami and Saint Lucia, all nearby and they are from different Universes almost.
I’m talking about location independence for people from the US.
I find it ironic that citizens from the US end up here, its always a puzzle to me, US is so large you can pretty much find any type of weather/culture etc and yet here we have all these ‘tourists’ , I think the peak of Americans in here was around 2002-2005 with all the sportsbooks being here, after that its seen a big decline.
What makes them want to move here? No clue, CR is wonderful to visit but to stay is a different deal.
Life here is harder in CR than in the US. (says this as I finish my day of work from Montana 😛 , tomorrow off to Yellowstone)
It is all about perspective.
If you can find me an area in the US with the same biodiversity, climate, cultural mindset and health care system as Costa Rica, I would move back immediately.
take a look at this
http://www.nacion.com/deportes/futbol-costa-rica/Extranjeros-juegan-pais-permiso-trabajo_0_1293270681.html
both systems **ck :), in one you can end up bankrupt for having a SMALL problem. In the other you can DIE while waiting for them to fix you up. 😛
Biodiversity can’t at least in such small area then again, keep in mind its mostly insects 🙂 climate may be Hawaii? but too expensive. Puerto Rico probably has the same weather as us too.
And about the cultural mindset I wont even comment 😛 ,its about the same situation as the healthcare.
Well, I love Costa RIca. I don’t think I’ll be here forever, but for now, it’s perfect for me.
Erin,
Read your article about entering and leaving Costa Rica. You indicated that you need to have a return air ticket if flying in. Do you really need a hardcopy ticket? I always use electronic tickets and kiosks when I travel by air. Do I need to request a hard copy for my upcoming visit in November?
Also, what do I need to do to get fingerprints taken by the police, while I am there, to facilitate the residence application process? Do I need an application letter filed there before I start the process? I am trying to make an appointment with ARCR legal, but they have not returned my e-mail yet.
I also plan to get registered at the US Embassy. I believe the registration certificate is also part of the residency application process.
Any advise to a first time CR visitor, trying to get ahead of the game in applying for pensionado residency?
Thanks
Bill
If you have a ticket leaving the country, and it’s on the same itinerary (roundtrip), then you should be in the airport’s system as already having a ticket out and should not have problems. If it’s an airline ticket purchased separately, you can just show it to them on your smart phone or go ahead and print a copy of the itinerary. It doesn’t need to be a plane ticket though – you can have a bus ticket out. And there’s always the chance they won’t even bother to ask.
Fingerprints…residency… no idea. I’m getting a work visa right now and my school is sponsoring it. They pay a firm to handle all this for them, so all I did was gather my paperwork from the States and then show up for fingerprints. After my hellacious experience of importing my car, I decided it’s too much of a hassle to handle these complicated bureaucratic processes myself and totally worth paying someone with a good reputation, experience, and connections to do the job for me. At the end of the day, it’s all about who you know.
Thanks for the info.
Do you know anything about the Beacon Hotel in Escazu? My wife and I will be staying there a couple nights.
Bill
ooo the Beacon is nice. I’m jealous.
I would think twice about using ARCR for getting your residency. I had to move mine to another attorney as my paper work sat on someones desk for almost a year with absolutely no action taken at all. N
ot even a phone call on my behalf. Just say’in.
Thanks – any recommendations?
Roberto Umana—San Jose. Do not have his number as it is in my cell phone and I am not in the country at the moment.
Delta actually gave me a hard time when leaving the US. I had to go buy a ticket to show them so that they would let me leave and then was supposed to cancel it later.
That’s a bummer to have to deal with when setting off on a trip. I hope you don’t show up last minute to the airport like I do…I’d never have time to leave the line, go buy a ticket and make my flight!
(That’s weird, I had replied higher up, but it showed at the bottom.)
Actually it worked out pretty good for me in the end.
1) I picked the day I’d been interested in but had been higher prices ()I checked many times) and they got me a good price (so I actually kept it for the day).
2) I lost my seat in the meantime and somehow got bumped up to first class!
ARCR –
I’ve gone to their two day relocation seminars twice (this year and 4 years ago) and I’d say they seem super great (I think they’re an awesome value for the price). They have many many speakers come in and speak; some speakers are from companies offering services but some are from the U.S. Embassy and other organizations. Some people even come back and take the seminar several times AFTER they moved, I’ve met a few. It’s super cheap at $70 for two days, which includes great meals and snacks (20-30 people attended both times I went).
They have a happy hour after one (both?) of the days and some members and show up and seem pretty happy. Everyone seems pretty positive.
I did a short review when I went in 2008 http://GarySaid.com/association-of-residents-of-costa-rica/
FYI, I’ve really got to like something to give it a good review. Let alone go twice.
Even if you don’t want to use them for your paperwork, I’d REALLY recommend the seminar. It’s really educational. The english paper, The Tico Times, comes in and offers some great deals on subscriptions too.
The session a good price and at the end if you want to join their group at $100 a year (they take off $20 since the seminar is offered as a discount to members), once you relocate to Costa Rica, it’s only $50 a year. I did join the first time and got the quarterly (bi-monthly?) magazine. I used them to get a bank account (free service) and they did all the paperwork and sent me everything I needed. I also paid them to help me get my Costa Rican drivers license (I think that was $35 in 2008) and they had someone drive me there and walk me through the process (this includes a medical test and blood draw) and is way more complicated than here. It would have taken me more than $35 just for the round trip cab ride!
http://GarySaid.com/getting-my-drivers-license-in-costa-rica/
No big push to re-sign up for them when my year expired, maybe one renewal notice. Which was surprising,
They also offer discount phone cards, computers for internet access (if you’re in San Jose) a used book section (leave 2 / take 1, I think) and gobs of other stuff. Some social events, referral services to service businesses (and if you complain about the businesses, they get the business to make you happy or they stop referring them).
I think they meet the last Thursday/Friday of every month except December.
Again, it’s hard to get a good review out of me and I loved these seminars both times.
its not the ‘airline’ per se giving you a ‘hard time’ , they are all supposed to do that, if you get rejected here, they faced fines and on top they have to pay to get you out
its the same everywhere in the World
1. You do not have to leave the country for 3 days on a VISA run, it is even advertised in AM Costa Rica to fly to Nicaragua in the morning have lunch and fly right back…
2. If you don’t like the entrance and exit problems join the ARCR and get your residency $1500 -$1800 but then you have to get CR caja insurance which non of my friends who have it ever use.
3. If you dislike the laws here go somewhere else, like the Philippines. You can stay there for 2 years by just extending your visa at any tourist agency.
4. Remember that what ever the laws about entering and leaving Costa Rica they apply to all nationalities that come here. Some people come here from nations with the purpose of working illegally so we are all treated the same although 99% of Americans and Canadians just want to live here and enjoy PURE VIDA.
5. Last but not least just enjoy what there is about Costa RIca that brought us here in the first place.
lol this comment made me laugh. Read my other posts – I love Costa Rica.
1. The law states 72 hours. Yes, it is easy to circumvent this.
2. I got a work visa. I don’t need to join ARCR. I’m on CAJA, I don’t use it either. I prefer my $5, 5-minute private doc.
3. lol
4. Good point. Although, if you have ever had the privilege of working here you will notice that not all immigrants are treated the same. In fact, in my experience, the Nicaraguans were treated more fairly than the Gringos in terms of receiving what was legally due to them salary-wise.
5. Yup.
From my experience it is NOT required to leave CR for 72 hours as stated in many places on the web. This 72 hour exit is only if you are bringing in duty free purchases. I have done the visa run 4 times now and have stayed in Nicaragua for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. each trip.
“A common rumor is that you must leave CR for 72 hours to get a renewal. this is not true… urban legend! That 72 hour thing grew out of the fact that if you DO leave for 72 hours, you get another $500.00 tax exemption on imports.”
Like many things here in Central America, it will depend a LOT on which line you end up in. The onward ticket requirement used to be more hit or miss, but now they have signs posted on the windows at the re-entry area into Costa Rica stating that you need an onward ticket.
The last trip I made to Nicaragua the number of hours that I needed to stay out was 3hrs.
I don’t think the law actually spells out how many hours. It’s totally up to whoever you talk to at the border. For a 10MIL propina, you can get thru fast ! It’s all about the money.
When i flew out of the USA last trip, I bought a one way airline ticket and was asked for an onward ticket before I was allowed to board. I used Safe Passage http://www.costaricabustickets.com/ to purchase an onward bus ticket online. They have a lot of good info on their website too.
Hope this helps!
Doc
I recently visited Costa Rica but spent most of my time at a resort. The few days I traveled into town I was intrigued by the locals and their culture. Especially their crafts and laid back “pura vida” lifestyle. I plan on visiting again soon and was wondering if anyone could guide me in learning more about the modern culture.
Thanks,
Jonathan
I just got back from a few days at a resort. It was sooooo nice, but you are definitely missing out on the rest of Costa Rica by staying there the whole time. I would suggest going to a Tico-family-owned bed & breakfast in any of the not-so-touristy towns. They will have relationships built up with area businesses and can arrange fun activities for you. If you really want to learn about the culture, you can find a family-stay – stay with a family, in a room in someone’s house. Sign up for Spanish lessons and let the school recommend a family for you to stay with.
Thank you for the suggestions! Staying with a family might be a little to extreme for me but do you know of any way that I could contact a high school or college student living in or native to Costa Rica?
There are different ways… Why do you want to contact a student?
Because I am currently in high school and would like to see how their daily routine, hobbies, social life, etc. differs from high school students in the United States.
oh ok! I am friends with one of the high school EFL coordinators. Let me ask her if it would be alright for you to contact some of them or for them to contact you. Can I pass along your email address?
I recently has my passport replaced at the US Embassy in San Jose. We pan to go back to the US on the 17th of April. The passport is blank, no stamps showing we have been going in and out of the country for the residency requirements. Do you think I will have a problem leaving the country?
That is a really good question that is beyond my realm of expertise. They look at my stamp every single time I pay the Costa Rican exit tax, even at the bank. They also look at the stamps upon entry into the US. You probably need to get an official letter from the US Embassy explaining the situation. Official letters go a long way here in Costa Rica. If I were you, I would go asap to the embassy get that taken care of. Good luck!
Carry the receipt you took to pick up your passport. I just did it a few weeks ago
Very useful! Thxs!
I entered Costa Rica with bus tickets for my return and it works well.
Keep on posting!
Glad to hear! Thanks!
We’re living in Guatemala and wanted to drive down to Costa Rica for a short holiday. My car has Guatemala licence plates.
Has anyone heard how the onward ticket would apply if you arrive (and will leave) by car? I’ll be with my wife and two young kids.
Thanks.
It’s been years since I imported a car, so I don’t know if the laws have changed. When I did it, the car was given the same visa that I was given – 90 days tourist visa (the amount is up to the immigration officer). My car was from the US. I have no idea if laws differ for different countries. The Trans America blog couple have driven all around Central America – that might be a better resource. http://trans-americas.com/
Good luck!
Thanks Erin. I will check with the Trans America.
I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciate finding this blog, I’m planning on moving to Costa Rica at the end of the summer but it’s hard to find sites that are actually very helpful as far as advice goes. I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me on bit wasn’t sure exactly where to ask them so I just chose here. How much money should I have saved up to insure I’ll be able to service until I get on my feet (how much did you bring) I plan on living cheaply but have no idea how that translates from US to Costa Rica. I have a lot of experience in customer service (bartending, serving, ex.) but no experience in work beyong that, how hard will it be for me to find a way to support myself, how easy are jobs to come by? Is it as cheap to servive there as many websites make it sound? I understand life anywhere is expensive and it is necessary to work but I cannot continue to drown in debt while working my days away as I do in the US. Anything else I should know before moving there blindly? I would appreciate any help you could offer more than you know! You are an inspiration, seeing others living the dream I am preparing to follow
Hey Natasha,
I’d bring about $1000 a month. I’d love to tell you more, but everyone’s journey is so different. Be patient with yourself and Costa Rica. Know that Costa Rica has many different types of places, so don’t give up if you don’t find the perfect fit the first try. Also, don’t force yourself to stay if you realize it’s not for you. Learn Spanish! Best of luck, let me know how it’s going once you get here!
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I’ve found something which helped me. Many thanks!
Having lived in Costa Rica for 4 years, I can say it is not the tropical paradise that is said to be. Four years ago it was nice. Good prices, pleasant natives, and all around nice place. Since then prices have increased dramatically, The exchange rate for the American dollar and CR Colone, is outrageous. Every day laws change without any notification. Foreigners are constantly harassed.
If you are looking for a better place to go, try Belize, Mexico, or Panama.
When leaving CR, DO NOT pack anything but the very bare essentials. They will confiscate anything they want to.
Not my experience…and there are holes in yours. For example, laws do change as the country develops, like many other places. The new laws are published in La Gaceta to become official, but even before that there is discussion on news sites like La Nacion and Teletica.