www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Dose anyone know the penalty for staying over 90 days and where you pay the fine? I know you can leave the country and return after 72 hours, so I don't need information on that. My question is really, why go to the trouble if it is easier to pay the fine? They don't have this information at the bank where you pay your departure tax.SEAHAWK

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Americans have been detained, deported or fined due to their failure to demonstrate their legal status in Costa Rica.

So it's not always a fine. I think your biggest issue as is in most countries with deportation you may/will not be allowed back.

From The Costa Rican Embassy Information systems...
It was highly unusual for the line to go through security to be backed up from the security check point all the way to the BANCO DE SAN JOSE in the aiport last week. The guy checking passports who was being selective I might add was opening them up and looking for entry stamps to see if you had overstayed your Visa or if you had gained entry to the country illegally.

BELOW IS FROM THE COSTA RICA EMBASSY!

Note: The government of Costa Rica decreed that after November 17, 2003 the practice of accepting U.S. driver licenses/IDs and U.S. birth/naturalization certificates as entry documents is discontinued on a permanent basis.

If you are considering staying for more than 90 (ninety days), a valid passport will be required and you must file for a stay extension at the Immigration Department of Costa Rica. Or, you may exit Costa Rica and re-enter. Most tourists visit Nicaragua or Panama - Costa Rica's neighbor countries - for a day and come back into Costa Rica.

A $20.00 U.S. dollar fine will be charged upon departure from Costa Rica if you overstayed your permitted length in the country. ( I BELIEVE THIS IS PER DAY BUT AM NOT SURE)

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This doesn't sound bad - I can live with the $20 but I wonder if it will affect future visits to Costa Rica as officials will have on record your overstay and may prevent future visits.

Any info on that anyone?

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$20/day sounds like a chica fee at the Holiday Inn. A few months ago I returned to the US after overstaying my 90 daysby some 6-7 days.No one even noticed from my entry stamp that I had done so. However I have been told about the tightening of immigration laws recently.

I have twice left over the deadline (couple years back) and never paid a fine. What are they going to do if you dont want to pay...keep you in the country?

I would say thought that it is best not to get caught over the deadline. They can keep you our ot CR for 10 yrs if they deport you for that. There are also other blackmarket ways to get you fresh stamp.

Easiest way is...just take a nice long weekend to San Andres Island or Panama City.