www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I will be arriving SJO at 9:30 PM on AA flight, 1-18-06. Does anyone know if the Duty Free Liquor store will be open.. I know in the past, That when I arrived in the evening the place was closed.

Thanks

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If it is morning....I must be still alive

The posted hours for the Duty Free shops are:

Upstairs departure area: Close at 10:00 PM

Downstairs in baggage claim: Close at 11:00 PM

There was a recent post here that someone arrived at 11:30 PM and the shop in the baggage claim area was open. When he asked about it they told him they stay open until the last flight arrives unless that flight is delayed for an unreasonable amount of time.

I have taken an AA flight from Miami, that arrives at 9:30 Pm, and the Duty Free shop was always open when I got there.

Hope this helps

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Could some one please give me a exact location for the duty free store in the baggage area. Such as North wall or South or behind the escalater.
Thanks

I don't think you will miss it, it's not LAX or JFK.

SJO has probably the smallest airport I have ever seen, you can only go in one direction

Wheaty,
The duty free shop is in the corner right next to Baggage Carousel #1 (I think there are only 3). It's about 40 feet to your left when you come down the escalator from immigration and enter the baggage claim area.

There is also a good ATM in that same corner. I always load up with 100,000 colones ($200), or whatever the max is, to start my trip.

The baño is along the same wall only at the other end of the baggage claim area, just in case you're interested.

Another travel tip from your Uncle Wit:
DON'T stop before you get to immigration. There are usually 2 or 3 flights arriving at the same times (afternoon or evening) and you'll be stuck in line for awhile.

That is great advice for any newbies. Get off the plane, and get to the Customs/Immigration area a.s.a.p. Otherwise, you could miss out on another precious hour in CR.

Also, I always go the the Customs booth on the far right side (for residents). There's never anyone in that line, and the agents have never said anything to me about being in the wrong line. (YMMV). I just act like I don't have a clue, and it seems to work! Although, sometimes it pisses off the other travellers who don't have the juevos to take a chance. Then again, I'm not at the airport to make friends!

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Thanks for the Location. This will be ny 6th trip and I swear to the stars above I have never seen the shop below. I know its there but until now its eluded me.

For those of you who are experienced travellers:

As a general rule: Is buying products in the duty-free shops (in general, not just in CR) actually that much of a discount? I've had some people tell me that it's actually not so much of a discount, compared to buying stuff in the States?

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You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave.

Every situation is different.

Buying at a duty free, when embarking at a U.S. airport or on the aircraft from their duty free shop, will be a rip off.

Buying at a duty free when returning to the U.S. can result in significant savings if you know the item and the comparative prices in the U.S.

CR is unique, in my experience, where you buy at the duty free when entering the country. Most countries I am familiar with you can only buy when departing.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

It's actually like that throughout Central America (Mexico too I think).

Liquor pays a real high tax in CR (35% at least?), so buying at the duty free is a big advantage.