I call it my 90 day out. Come to think of it....I have to do one within the next couple of weeks. This immigration law is as muy Tico as it gets. 90 days in country and 3 days out. Costa Rica loses money when we all leave.We have to pay transportation and expenses to another Country and CR gets NOTHING out of it. (unless they get the $28 we pay to leave.

If the powers that be had a half a brain,they would just charge us an ongoing fee (maybe $100 every 3 months) This would save us a lot of money and produce $400/year from all of us. that could be spent on many different things that are needed here.

If you choose to be a "perpetual tourist" stop complaining about the minor inconvenience of having to leave the country every 90 days. You can either accept the rules or seek residency or hang your hat elsewhere. Not sure what country you might find to your liking that will allow you to come as a tourist and stay forever although there most likely are a few.

Not sure what the big deal is and why it should be referred to as "muy tico" & "stupid law"?

Would you prefer that Costa Rica become like the United States? The U.S. requires that Ticos who want to visit have to apply for and pay a fee to get a tourist visa and they must then leave the U.S. at a time certain and get another visa to return. Perhaps CR should be become like Brazil and and adopt the same standards that the U.S. applies to their citizens. A tourist visa is exactly that a tourist visa. It was not meant to be used by those who would like to live in the country but either do not want to gain resident status or by those who can not meet the requirements financially or because of past transgressions.If you choose to be a "perpetual tourist" stop complaining about the minor inconvenience of having to leave the country every 90 days. You can either accept the rules or seek residency or hang your hat elsewhere. Not sure what country you might find to your liking that will allow you to come as a tourist and stay forever although there most likely are a few.

And there are other options. Cash is KING in Costa Rica...

Got a question, ID - assuming a person can meet the requirements (can document the proper amount of income, has no criminal record, lives in country) why would someone NOT wish to become a resident. What is the main downside? I don't believe its taxes, nor do I believe the health care pay in (CADA??) is a problem - long time visitor; always wondered about this.

Not sure I have the answer to that. The most frequent one I have heard "is it to much of a hassle and takes to long".

As with any government procedure there are certain hoops one has to jump through. IMO they are neither a great burden nor a major inconvenience. Can the process be slow? Absolutely. However the delay occurs once migracion has accepted your documents and processes your paperwork. What folks forget is that once your paperwork is filed you are given a document with your folio number. That document allows you to remain in the country until migracion rules on your application so you are exempt from making visa runs. Given that what is the problem if they take a year or two to rule?

The other story I have heard is the cost. Yes it can cost a $1000.00 or more but how many 90 day visa runs does it take before you have spent that and more?

Then there are the excuses used by those who are hiding something in their past and do not want to tell you that is the real reason they do not apply.