www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Do you really need to carry either your passport or a copy with the entrance stamp? Was down last weekend and just carried Fla DL. No problems. But reading about immigration raids makes me think I should've made a copy. Going back Labor Day and want to have another hassle-free visit.

Just as a safety function I always carry the passport copy, have forgotten to copy the stamp at times, but always the passport copy is with me....Again just as a caution, but it is simple enough

We are REQUIRED to carry on our person a copy of the passport and entry stamp at all times. It is not a suggestion. You lucked out that you weren't asked for your "papers". At least you'd be going downtown in the bus with some fine Colombianas.

If you had been in the Del Rey when the raid happened and you were asked for your passport or a copy of it and all you could have produced was a DL from any state you would have been $hit out of luck. They have hauled off more than one gringo without the proper documentation.

Granted, I have never been asked for my passport having quite a few days in CR, but there is always a first time.

Berk.....

You do need to carry a copy of your passport with you at all times. I carry my copy around in my wallet just as a quick unofficial form of ID if I am in real jam. Depending on the persons mood at immigration, I ask if they will stamp my copy for me. They will normally do it but I have heard of others getting turned down.

_________________
[url=http://www.amishrakefight.org/gfy/]

This is a no-brainer.

For a buck (500 colones), the photocopy shop immediately across the pedestrian walk (Avenida Central from the Hotel Presidente ) will produce a laminated, wallet-size copy of your passport I.D. page and entry stamp. There is no excuse for not having a copy of your passport/entry stamp on your person.

Even with the copy, some police may ask to see the original. Simply ask them to accompany you back to your hotel, and produce the original for their inspection. You should never carry the original on your person around San Jose; a valid U.S. passport is worth a reported $1,000.00 on the black market.

Get the copy, carry the copy. Don't leave your hotel without it.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

In my travels, CR and other places, I have never had a immigration officer agree to stamp the photocopy. NO PROBLEM. As soon as I check-in, I have the desk clerk make a copy of the page with the entry stamp, and staple it to my photocopied ID page.

I've been stopped by many a police, and the only id I have with me is my DL. Never had an issue...

Of course Spanish fluency may come to play here, I just don't know...


From MY experience, I've never needed my passport, or a copy.

Not to break balls here, QBF, but...

Fact is, carrying a copy of your passport and entry stamp is the law in C.R. If you don't have it, Spanish fluency or not, you could go to the grey bar hotel until they "sort it out."

1. It's unnecessary and inadvisable to carry your original passport. Theft/loss of your original will cost you several hours (filing/getting a copy of a theft report, then going to the Consular Affairs office at the U.S. Embassy - a $5.00 cab ride). Then, add around $70.00 to get the passport replaced.

2. The law requires you to carry either the passport or a photocopy, including the latest entry stamp. This helps the cops determine if you've overstayed your 90 day tourist welcome.

Maybe you've never gotten into trouble. Glad for you, but as this is the newbies section, I wanted to let everyone know what I know of the law.

Finally, since your hotel can probably produce copies for you for free, and you can also get a legal, wallet-sized, durable laminated copy to carry for less than one U.S. dollar, it seems to me to be a no-brainer.

I have in fact been in the company of other members who were hassled because they lacked proper I.D. (read that passport or copy). Nobody went to jail, but why waste time talking to mordita-seeking police?

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Ouch, please don't break my balls, I think that would hurt...

But, I was not aware of the legalities, just spoke from personal experience...

If that's legally what u have to do, then by all means...

I was stopped my police over on Calle 6 one afternoon had all my pockets searched and was taken to the station nearby because I only had copy of passport and not date stamp. I provided them card where I was staying to confirm I just arrived in Country. They held me a while and not sure if they called to comfirm or were just testing to see if I would offer to pay some money. Also tried to sell me a bottle of what looked like Southern Comfort Whiskey before letting me go but I said no thanks.

So the answer is Yes I recommended that you carry copy of passport with date stamp unless you want to risk being detained or hassled.rbc100

_________________
In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

I would have to agree with RBC100 the same thing happend to me In Colombia last year my first night in town. I would say just do as they ask no need to waste more of your Vacation than you will need to.

I will definately make a copy of the relevant pages on my next adventure to CR. Might just carry the passport- we travel in a foursome down there and my biggest fear was it getting lifted at the MP's but ZB and NF seemed legit.

The reason the US & CR governments reached the agreement allowing tourist to carry a photo copy of their passport was to discourage people from carrying their actual passport. CR has a higher incident of theft of US passports than London, Paris and other more heavily traveled tourist destinations.

You can travel in a pack of 4, 6 or more and still have your pocket picked. Leave your passport in the room safe and carry a photo copy.

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

That, and who in his right mind would want a US passport if they had a European one?