www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Sometimes it seems like Costa Rica is hell bent on killing the goose that is laying golden eggs.

http://www.usexpatcostarica.com/2010/05/police-in-costa-rica-confiscate-passport-of-u-s-citizen/

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

seems like Greengo is secretly the president or (number 1) of the CR sucks club, often I view it the same way but lack the ability to articulate it as greengo has so aptly done

Greengo, welcome the CLUB

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

It's been loudly said and often repeated here to NEVER carry your passport in CR, secretly or otherwise (BTW Caravan Tours gives the same advice), yet this article directly contradicts that. Is that treaty or agreement between CR and the US been overturned? Was this confiscation just the ad-hoc action of over-zealous LEO's or the way it's going to be from now on? Anybody got any contacts in the US Embassy official or otherwise to ask this question of? This iain't even funny.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Wow, why is the State Department and the President not jumping up and down in protest about someone having to carry proper identification! I guess the rules are different for Arizona.

Damn sorry to hear that US Embassy folks are denied the museums and the Teatro Nacional. Wasn't the point of the treaty about photocopies to save US citizens from having their passports stolen wherever in CR they are? And isn't it decidedly more likely (by an order of magnitude) to happen in any urban core? Oh, right, to keep the folks on the Gold Coast of Guanacaste from being discomifited. Silly me.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I'm wondering what establishment this happened at.. was it the SL? DR? chubbs? papi's?? Was it a CRT bro??

This the "tourist" presented a Florida D.L.,his hotel keys along with a photocopy and they still wanted to see him the next day?? Then come to find out he didn't have the proper stamp on his actuall Pass Port ???? Then they take it from him???

Just my opinion but this story just doesn't make sense...to many questions left unanswered..who is this guy and why did he get singled out?? Was he a perpetual tourist?? Why didn't he have the correct stamps?? ( I read recently immigration didn't stamp brother orange's passport because he brought a desktop computer) was it a similar situation???

The title of this thread is "just because".... but somehow I don't feel that this happened "just because"..or maybe it was..

Either way as per other recent reports sounds like the prez is def on a witch hunt.. stay safe down there..and make sure all your papeles are legit!!!

I find the lack of intercession or even a coherent response by our Embassy most distressing. What do those striped-pants cookie-pushers think they are here for? I don't mean interfering in an on-going police investigation (I know better than to expect that) but zero response to the confiscation of official US Govt. property without even an inquiry? Hillary, WTF is going on with you? Maybe conflating this guy's behavior with your husband's? Yeah I'm pissed.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

When I read this article the other day in usexpatcostarica.com, my first reaction was much the same as another person who responded to it with a comment!
"WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN,!! A total lack of details!!!

WHO? is the guy? Do not need nor expect a name but why not at least some background on who he is.
WHAT? caused this to occur? his actions? His attitude? His name being on a list? WHAT??
WHY? If the treaty concerning caring a pasport vs. a photocopy has been changed, WHY has there been NO public anouncement by either government!!
WHERE? did it happen? do not understand not naming the resturant nor even the location (gulch, or some other area??)
WHEN? did it happen? "one evening" does not tell us much!!

I am not saying it did not happen nor that it did not happen just the way described; but if so, WHY not more details, especially with somethng that is so important to ANYONE who visits here or lives here!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Perro,
You misread that part of my post. Immigration DID stamp my passport, but the idiot at customs did not stamp it (which is a good thing) meaning that I can bring in more items next trip without having to pay a duty (I think-nobody seems to know what the customs stamp really means).

I have no knowledge of the site usexpatcostarica.com so pardon my ignorance or if I offend anyone affiliated with it. At first glance it looks like a legitimate news source but upon closer inspection is apparently just a blog site. It doesn't even say who authored the story. With this in mind it appears to me the article could have been written with a tabloid journalism angle for shock value towards its intended audience, and many statements could be taken as the author's speculation and opinion. Not to say that the story or much of it is not true but if "sweeps are taking place in bars, restaurants, and other strategic locales downtown by groups of heavily armed police", it is odd this info hasn't been reported anywhere else that I can find, including CRT where most members spend most all their time in downtown locales such as bars, restaurants and other possible targets where gringos congregate.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

The site is Bilko's blog


BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

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BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

This whole story doesn't seem plausible. When they do a raid, and somebody doesn't have the papers or is suspected of fraud, the cops don't release them and ask them to come back "tomorrow" with their passport. And a stern warning that if you don't come in (and if we happen to run into you again) you will be in big trouble.

Read the pages in your passport. it is the property of the US Government and no other country cannot hold on to it. they have to surrender it to the Embassy within that country. It is a document that has to be accounted for....

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"THE TRUTH IS' EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONE WORTH SUFFERING FOR"
Robert Nesta Marley

That's all true and in theory should work out for you. However, when a police officer, immigration officer or other official takes your passport and refuses to return it your advising them that it is U.S. property and can not be taken from you will get you nowhere. In fact it might make your situation worse. Most petty dictators, which is what the guys described in this thread are, do not take kindly to having their "authority" challenged.

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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