www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Gentlemen, what is the best option for a tourist visa renewal? I'm being told by a local company that Managua Nicaragua is the closest and cheapest option.

I don't know but that seems like its a looong way from San Jose.

Anyone have an opinion?

Greg

There are no short distance destinations for a visa run. Most popular are Panama either Boca Del Toro or David. Nicaragua either Granada or San Juan del Sur.

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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

Thanks for the info mate. What about the time factor? Is Panama or Nic the better option? the Nic trip looks to be about a 9 hour trip while the Panama trip looks to be about 6 hours. I'm just guessing of course from the map.

Greg

I usually do mine to Granada or San Juan del Sur if I'm not going to the States. Granada is maybe 7 hours if I remember correctly and Tica Bus is pretty comfortable. Gonna do one within the next month myself.

So its still required to stay in another country for 4 days? I thought they changed that?

Greg

Hard to believe a post by Greengo that is not only readable but does not slam Costa Rica. Next thing you know the Chicago Cubs will win the world series.

There are differing opinions on the length of time necessary to be out of the country.

The traditional wisdom is 72 hours. However a growing number of perpetual tourist say you can leave Costa Rica have lunch in either Panama or Nicaragua and then come back to Costa Rica as long as you do not claim an exemption for goods acquired outside of Costa Rica.. The rational behind that is that the 72 hour requirement is a customs requirement for bringing goods back into the country not an immigration requirement.

I have never had to leave the country as I was granted residency before my 90 day tourist visa expired so I never had to decide which point of view was correct. I would, if I was considering applying for residency in the future, stay out 72 hours. It would be a bummer to be turned down when they looked at your enter/exit record and decided that you failed to meet the time requirements.

Either way make sure you have a bus ticket out of Costa Rica when you come back in. They are more and more frequently asking to see that.

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

Here is the way I look at the 72 hour thing. Not sure if it is absolutely essential for remaining legal. BUT! I figure why the hell not take advantage and get a mini vacation out of the deal. The place I stay in SJDS is $25-$30 per night and has everything I need. So, I always look at the visa runs as a getaway and not trying to do it in the shortest amount of time possible. In fact, can't tell ya the number of times I have had to change my Tica Bus ticket because I wanted to stay another day or two. I love Nicaragua though, so I might be prejudiced.

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. Hadn't thought about the exit ticket.

Greg

Another option is Nature air to Bocas del Toro, will cost about $420 for a 1:45 minute flight each way and that price includes all entry and exit taxes as well as all sales taxes and fuel charges.

The flight to Managua is about $390 including all the same fees and taxes, but that gets you a 2 hour drive from San Juan del Sur or Granada.

My friends and I have been hitting the border towns in central Panamá for a long time. We sign out of CR, into Panamá, have a beer or three and reverse the process. Generally, I am in Panamá less than an hour. Never been hassled. I hear (although most of what is heard is BS) as long as you are not bringing back excessive goods, the CR side is okay with it. Of course, Pura Vida rules apply and everything is subject to change.
Costa Rica: We make easy, hard.

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Bring on the dancin' girls and put the champagne on ice. -Bon Scott

Costa Rica: We make easy, hard........

Hoe Dog koo koo ka choo

I came 12 days ago, hadn't been there since Feb, asked me how long my visit, told him 10 days, and for the life of me, it looks like he wrote in 10, not completely sure, it was not perfect penmanship. Didn't notice it until I left.

Stopped doing it for a long time but then found a reliable new contact. They are out there and it can be taken care of in country.

Elkarlos,

My Dad has a farm near San Vito which is only 12 miles to the border of Panama. I am going down there this week.

Are you saying I may be able to hop over the border have a few beers on the panama side and the CR will give me another 90 day Visa when I come back to CR ?

I am here in CR (Heredia) now. I can provide a phone number if you send me a PM (not sure I know how to PM you) to discuss.

Yeah, anything is subject to change here and they seem to love red tape even more than in the US.

The law changed in 2010. It is no longer necessary to leave CR for 72 hours for Visa renewal. I have crossed into NIC twice now and each time was approx 2 hrs.
For a lot of great info concerning the Visa run please look at the info on Safe Passage website.
http://costaricabustickets.com/CostaRic ... ements.htm

I recently bought a one way airline ticket to CR and an onward bus ticket.You get the ticket sent to your email and John at Safe Passage is very helpful and has a LOT of experience helping with this matter of Visa renewal.

I also have a name and number of a Nicaraguan guy who speaks good English and can help you with the confusing procedure at the border.

Hope this helps. You can private message me if you need more info.