www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have not researched what is required for a visa yet but would like to know if anybody has any experience with this. My girlfriend lives in Medellin Colombia. I would like to take a week of vacation with her in Costa Rica. What is the simplest way to get her into Costa Rica? Thanks in advance for your help. - Okie

Four years ago, a tourist visa to Costa Rica for Colombians was very straightforward and easy. All that was needed was a current passport, airline ticket and hotel reservation (or letter of invitation) in Costa Rica. The travel agency handled the paperwork, and mailed it to the Costa Rican embassy in Bogota. The passport with visa was delivered to the applicant by private mail or courier. That changed about 3 years ago, and the requirements are now more stringent. A Colombian citizen may apply for a CR tourist visa in person in Bogota at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated travel, and the cost is $32 US. The passport must have at least 6 months of validity. The applicant needs to provide the following documents: passport, two photographs, previous 3 months bank statements, judicial certificate and immigration record (from DAS), ticket/itinerary, hotel treservation (or letter of invitation, if a guest) and a Labor letter (proof of employment and benefits). If the Colombian already has an active visa for the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea or any of the European Union countries, these requirements are waived. The Colombian may enter Costa Rica and receive the standard tourist visa upon entry. Unless, your novia already has a visa to one of the previously-mentioned countries, or is willing to go through the "tramites" for this visa, I would seriously consider taking her to one of the many beautiful spots in Colombia instead.

I'm not aware of any shortcuts... perhaps some of the members "in the know" can shed some more light on this.

Great post Lots of good info.

And I concour; unless there is a very compelling reason to visit CR (and you list Ohio as your home, not CR) I'd go elsewhere as suggested above.

While she likely could get the visa, why bother? Don't get me wrong, CR is beautiful - and a great place, but lets face it - as Americans, its easy for us to travel much of the world w/out much hassle - for citizens of many other countries - not so much

Thanks for the information guys. I do have a compelling reason to be in Costa Rica and since the number of trips I can make is limited by my ability to get off work I was hoping to be able to import my favorita for some fun. We've been to quite a few other places in Colombia. I thought she would really like to see Costa Rica. I sure would like to know how all those Colombianas I met in San Jose got there. I am sure they are not getting a visa since I doubt that have regular work and a bank account.

Take her to Panama. All she will will need is a plane ticket and she can stay 30 days.

Many of them where smuggled in, through Panama, by coyotes and then entered into sham marriages with Ticos. Every time they raid the HDR and cart the Colombians off to the immigration jail they wind up letting them go when the girls show proof of marriage to a Tico. The funny part is when they are questioned and asked the name of their husband they have to look at the paperwork before they can answer the question.

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Pura Vida
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...and one more thing, she will also need to show proof of yellow fever vaccine entered into her international shot record.

Okie....u guys kissed and made up?

BD... good info...thanks

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

My friend claims that she cannot live in CR because she has no visa. However, she was in CR a few months ago and showed me a Panama stamp from the day before on her passport. So what does all that mean? Can she cross borders via bus? Is she illegally crossing from Panama to CR? I'm just trying to figure this deal out. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

At Paso Canoas it is nothing to just walk into Costa Rica from Panama. If you stay in the border area its no problem. But any vehicles moving along the highway towards san Jose...buses especially and private vehicles at random will be stopped and you will need to produce ID and visas.

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

Got me...just can't seem to resist.