www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've often wondered when traveling to Costa Rica and Immigration asks me where am I staying and names like Sportsmen's Lodge, Hotel Amistad, and Hotel Castillo are mentioned, does the public/immigration officer have a negative view on such places?

Tell them you are staying at Hotel Nunya. I doubt they would ask anything more but if they do just tell them its Nun Ya Damn Business. Seriously I do not think they give a shit. I have been telling them Hotel La Amistad for years and I still get asked where is it. I tell them Barrio Amon and they send me on my way. You could make up any name you want and tell them its a new place in Jaco and be on your way.

Immigration has started asking for your hotel information. About half the time in the last few months they have asked to see documentation of my hotel reservation. I have a print out of the Sportsmans email with booking ID. That has always been the end of the question.

Since the end of the paper immigration forms that included asking where you were staying the immigration officer is asking more often. As always it completely depends on which immigration officer you get.

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If you let the devil ride, he's gonna want to drive

I've only had one officer know where Hotel
La Amistad is. He smiled and said "have fun in the Gulch Muchacho" as he handed my passport to me.

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If you see me at the bottom, please bring me my running shoes!

That's a great way to spend a few extra months in Costa Rica at no cost to you!

Had a friend cop an attitude a few years ago against an immigration officer. She was a notorious beyatch, and took no shit...she put him back on an airplane to US in 45 minutes. Shortest trip to CR ever

My response to the OP was more to convey that the immigration officers do not care where you are staying, I in no way suggest you treat them with anything but courtesy and respect. There are certain people that no matter how wrong they are you always smile and keep your cool. The judge that is deciding your case, the police officer that can take you to jail, the immigration officer that has the ability to deny your entry to a foreign country. These are all excellent examples of people you should be extra nice to and you should think carefully about making them angry. Use your head and humor, but do not poke the bear when it's sleeping.

I highly doubt the officer mixed English with slang ie. Gulch and only one Spanish word.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

+2

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

He said it with a heavy accent....does that ease your doubt?

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If you see me at the bottom, please bring me my running shoes!