www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Misunderstanding comes easily to me. But if by that you ask if I ever leave the Del Rey when I'm visiting San Jose the answer would be not much. If I was to win the lottery I would take a long-term lease on room 609. Yes I could live there.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Now it seems we not only have to watch out for trannys while crossing the park, but the "cops" as well. Be careful out there guys and always have your stamped copy and tranny repellent handy just in case.

If you're running solo, never cross the park at night.

Yes you need to carry either your original passport or a copy of such INCLUDING A CURRENT ENTRY STAMP. Yes the cops are to be avoided at all costs. Along with the criminals,they are NOT YOUR FRIENDS. (for the most part) My suggestion is to refuse to pay them ONLY IF YOU HAVE EVERYTHING IN ORDER and have done NOTHING wrong. Trust me they will back down if you are in the right. If you speak a little Spanish,the best idea is to tell them you don't have $100 with you,and you will go with them if necessary. (being nice of course) However you would like them to have 10,000 colones for their trouble. This is what I did the night they stopped me in a pirate taxi that I know very well. (He went through a stop sign and they didn't specifically ask for a bribe) My passport copy didn't have the current stamp so they basically had me. However since I speak enough Spanish to talk to them,and they saw that I live here,they probably didn't want to go through all the real work of taking me to the station.

You're mistake was to pay off these bribe seeking "cops." You could have told them, "let's go back to my hotel for my passport, lets go to the station, or call your supervisor." Although, the latter may not have worked since you did not have proper ID.

This seems to be a growing trend and new revenue source for cops. It is time for gringos to carry proper copies of ID(no way in hell would I walk around with my GI Passport), and then REFUSE to pay them. When gringos stop rolling over(as many do by paying cien), these cops will cut the BS when they find they are beating a dead horse.

PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!

Vegas Bob is right. It's been basically the same in about 10 foreign countrys I've been (perhaps not Canada!). Particularly Mex, CA, SA.

1) You are likely doing something wrong (as the OP was).

2) Be polite. repeat Be polite.

3) Always state that you don't have the big $$ with you. Apologize.

4) State that you are resigned to your fate of having to go to the police station with him, HOWEVER, you really wish there was a better way for everyone involved. Local language really helps here. Reach in pocket.

5) Discreetly offer or give him $20 or equivelant to his hand and tell him thank you very much, have a nice eve, lo siento official. Move away quietly. Depending on the country & situation, your time in the area & knowledge of local customs etc, 2, 5 or 10 dollars works the same.

If this does not work, there is something seriously wrong with what you did, seriously wrong with the officer, or it's time to prepare an exit from the particular country as something is wrong with it.

In essence, the OP was a fairly normal experience that went pretty well.

wow. this all reads like Honduras, et. all circa 1982.

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

there is a place down the street from the presidente with a Kodak sign on top that will make a colored copy of your passport the size of a credit card for 500 colones I have been stopped before and never had a problem...

Thanks for this data. I always travel to CR with a color paper copy (copies actually) of the first two pages of the passport and then have always had Scotia Bank photocopy the current entrance data. It is generally hard to read.

I shall be in CR early September and will make a point to use this KODAK sign place to get what you've noted.

Thanks again for the data.....

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Does the "No Cien" policy apply to cops as well?? Damn, San Jose is change for the worse!

I had a pleasant conversation with a DEA agent stationed at our embassy while waiting for my ATL-SJO flight last monday. He confirmed for me what most of us have always known. The Policia (ALL OF THEM except some OIJ) in Costa Rica are totally worthless, both in ability and integrity. When I speak with one, I will remain polite AND determined. Again, presenting a CR DL along with your other papers gives them more of a sense that you know what is going on and will be around to make a problem for them.

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

My last 3 trips, I've had a photo copy made prior to entering the country, when the immigration official stamps my passport, at the airport, I asked them to stamp my copy, I have never been refused...

Best idea yet!

I have a minuature laminated copy of my passport main page, but the entry stamp is the headache.

I will bring extra copy for the stamp next time.

Unfortunately there have been posts here where the immigration officer, for whatever perverse reason, has refused a request to stamp the photo copy. It's certainly worth a try as many will comply.

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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

Gents, I do not think this is an isolated recent incident. I was at SL for a week last month and at least two mongers I talked with had been stopped by the cops while they were on their way to HDR. One was detained at the corner of the intersection just west of SL and the other was detained in another spot. One of the gents was a regular in SJ and basically said cuff me or let me go. The cops caved in. The other paid a 'fine" of cien on the spot and was let go.

Lesson I am taking away from this is carry the right paperwork or be prepared to be shook down.

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These are just the opinion pages and I am just submitting mine.

Poco a poco la vieja sube el coco.

That may work for you but many of us stand no chance of blending in.
The cops know that the park lies between the HDR and many of our hotels. Also, the parks are are infamous for illegal activities that we don't need to elaborate on in this forum.

I don't know how many times people have to be told to carry a copy of thier passport data page & entry stamp. I know I'm tired of hearing it but I guess that is not enough for some knuckleheads. And I suppose there are some who will never learn.

I just wish that the cops would not run home after the sun goes down so it would be safe to walk at night!

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western