www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello CRT brethren -- just returned from my 2nd trip to the land of milk and honeys, and I will write a TR as soon as I can.

But for now, I had a question. Just looked at my passport page where they place the stamp. In the stamp, they tell you how many days you can stay in country.

On my previous trip in December 2011, it was good for 90 days.

On this trip (arrival July 4), the stamp said 75 days.

So, my question is, have the policies changed, from 90 to 75 days; or is there some total that they subtract from? (ie, since I was there in December, maybe that took some days off from some allotted total per year? )

(Actually, I have a hard time believing this is the case. I only stayed 5 days in December, and 90-5 is 85, not 75 )


Any thoughts appreciated!

Pura Vida,

TD

My experience is that the number of days depends on the whim of the window wizard in the immigration booth when you pass through.

RAC

The time you are allowed to stay in the country on a tourist vise depends on a couple of things. First is what country issued your passport. If you are a U.S. citizen you may stay up to 90 days.. That is the rub because the second factor is totally up to the immigration inspector. The law say up to 90 days not 90 days. There have been reports of guys getting 10 days stamped in their passport. There seems to be no logic in the amount of time granted other then the whim of the agent at the particular moment you step in front of him and give him your passport.

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

In 3 trips, my first trip was a 90 day stamp because it was my first trip and my last 2 have been 20 day stamps, which have been more than enough for a one week stay. IMO, as long as you are allowed to enter the country with a stamp equal to your stay or a little longer, to be thankful for what you get. That's just how I feel, everyone else is enntitled to believe what they want.

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In all of my trips I have been asked how long I would be staying?
Short week trips I stated 2 weeks. For my longer trips I said three months.
Never had a problem with getting the 90 days. A smile and conversation
goes a long way with these folks.

The job can really suck. Sitting and watching all you rich Gringo's coming
down to defile all their mothers, sisters, aunts and cousins.
They only wish they could return the favor.

_________________
May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

On the entry slip you fill out on the plane it ask you where you are staying...I have a friend that wrote in Hotel Del Rey...I dont know if the female agent looked at it and judged it because he got two weeks...When I'm up to bat I write in The Best Western and that Im in CR for farm and ranch reasons and theyve always given me 90 days...But then again I always wear wranglers ,justin work boots and a cowboy hat and they always assume Im from Texas which I am....and part owner of a small farm in Big Lake Tx doesn't make me a liar....Play the part fit the piece....I always say....

+1. Once I told him I was there for 10 and he gave me 10, not certain because his writing wasn't good, but I looked at it under a magnifying glass when I got back and it sure looks like 10. No biggie, but it affirms Rac's statement.

Last 2 trips (May & June) they gave me 15 & 10 days respectively. Wonder if it has something to do with how many times you come in a year or something? Both times, they asked me how long I was staying, both times it was only 4 days.

_________________
I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries. Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time!

Mothers??!! Phuck, no!!

_________________
I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries. Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time!

Thanks for the reponses! 75, 90 days, it's Ok when usually all I can spend is 4-5 days at a time. I was just curious.

But the "Best Western" line is a great idea!

Actually, the immigration lady that I dealt with was very nice and friendly. I tried to tell her how long I was staying and when I would be returning to the US, in Spanish, and she helped me out!

Thanks,

TD

I'm sure what those "window wizards" write in your passport depends a lot on the political climate of the day. I've also never heard of anyone getting less time then what they said they were staying for when asked. /shrug. AFAIK, this issue only really effects the perpetual tourists. I usually stay for 7-14 days and I have gotten 30 days a few times and 90 the rest of the time.

Once (April 2012) I told him I was there for 10 and he gave me 10, not certain because his writing wasn't good, but I looked at it under a magnifying glass when I got back and it sure looks like 10. No biggie, but it affirms Rac's statement. And apparently this is the new norm. I'll be back soon and I am going to tell them I need 80-90 and see what happens. Probably a wake up call for guys coming in via SJ Int'l and who need the 90. Have an answer ready for "what's the purpose of your visit/how long" question, the problem is what if they ask you for your return ticket.????

Today's QCR e-paper:
http://qcostarica.com/edition/2012/12/2 ... osta-rica/

I remember before 9-11 when all you needed was a Driver's License, no passport, and you'd pay $3 for a green Tourismo Visa Card at the Immigration booths, always 90 days. I've got dozens of them tacked on one of my barn walls. In fact I think the 90 was pre-printed, have to go out and take a look see when I get up to the farm again.

I tell those guys straight up that I live here, have my return flight booked (actual flight not a Ticabus ticket like some people do) and they have always given me the 90. They indeed ask a lot more questions than they used to but show a little respect and have everything in order and you'll be on your way in a couple of minutes.

Update: I got 90 days upon my most recent visit in November. But I was just there 4-5 days over Thanksgiving.