www.CostaRicaTicas.com

It's been a while since I have been down to CR. There used to be a bank where you could prepurchase your exit stamp. I am thinking it is Banco Central, am I right or is it someplace else?

thanks

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It is called a tax. BAC has it $26 US.

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The departure tax can be purchased at a small booth in Immigration on arrival, at any Banco de Costa Rica, or Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago at A4 y C4 or at the airport at either end of the ticket counter area.

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You can also get it at some hotels, the Presidente comes to mind. I think you have to be staying at the hotel.

The easiest is pay it when you enter at the airport (listed above).

.

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Unfortunately, the departure tax booth in immigration is no longer there.

I had to exit the airpot, drag my luggage up to the second floor (used the elevator) and purchase the departure tax in the area across from the ticketing counters.

You can buy it ahead of departure at the bank on the second floor of the INS tower, across the street north of Parque Espana. Walk in and go up the escalators. What looks like a bank -- a long row of tellers on your left, isn't the bank. The bank is in a glassed-in room to your right as you get to the top of the escalator.
Go in and take a number and tell them you need to pay your impuesto de salir.
It beats waiting in a long line at a crowded airport.

I have to disagree as I always pay my departure tax as I leave. When there is a line at the airport, it moves quickly. It also eliminates the chance of misplacing it during your stay. JMHO,
YMMV

Thanks for this tip Mongeral. This benefits those of us who stay at Hotel Castillo since the INS builiding is nearby.

When you book your orange taxi ask the driver to take you to the 2nd level. Change your money at the bank booth and if so inclined get your exit stamp.

I, personally never do prepurchase my exit stamp paperwork as each and every trip I either don't plan that far ahead or hope to not leave or both.

Ditto amigo. I have never waited more than 2-3 minutes over the last 3 years plus (15 or 16 trips) to pay the exit tax. I see no reason to pay for it in advance.

Berk....

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I always pay it at the bank inside the INS BUILDING, usually the next day after I arrive. May as well get it done....since I'm in the bank anyway, exchanging dollars for colones. It takes only a few minute more. I then place it in the room safe until I depart CR.

Most of the time it is OK at the airport. But I have talked to people who missed their flights when they had to stand in line for 30 minutes or more during crowded periods at the airport. Last year it almost happened to me. Now that I get my exit papers downtown, though, that's one less line I have to stand in at the airport.
I buy it, put it with my passport and airline tickets in my room's security safe, then I'm ready to go.

Most of the time it is OK at the airport. But I have talked to people who missed their flights when they had to stand in line for 30 minutes or more during crowded periods at the airport. Last year it almost happened to me. Now that I get my exit papers downtown, though, that's one less line I have to stand in at the airport.
I buy it, put it with my passport and airline tickets in my room's security safe, then I'm ready to go.

FYI there are 2 places to pay the tax in the departure terminal, enter and look to the right there is usually a line of 100 people, walk to the left and there is usually no line at all. Most people just don't know about the other counter to the left and I've never had to wait more than a couple minutes.

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Double Ditto---I've always purchased it just before checking in at the counter across from the check-in counter and at most I've had to wait a minute or 2.