www.CostaRicaTicas.com

You're right, I'm sure it will be up and running in no time.

I have no idea if, or when, it will be up and running but I certainly will give then a Tico minute rather then a New York minute.

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

I always buy these 2 or 3 at a time depending on my upcoming trips.

Just for the guys that frequently leave and return.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Has anyone left CR after paying the tax on-line?

What about getting past the person at the check-in line at SJO the check to see if you have paid the exit tax?

I always see a lot of "newbies" being turned away from checking in because they haven't visited the exit tax line yet.

The person staffing this line is not equipped with a computer. Just how are they going to know that you have paid on line?

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

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

So... This might work for those of you who live in CR.
I'm not up for dragging a printer with me on trips to CR just so I can print out my exit tax.
I'll be paying (en efectivo) at SJO like usual. If all of the locals pay on line then the line will be a little shorter.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

I have not tried this but was told If you exchange your money upstairs you get a better rate because people leaving exchange Colonies for Dollars and thus they need dollars upstairs and give a better rate. I'll check it out in a couple weeks..

Also, at many hotels they have computer that you can print out your receipt.

I am sure whoever told you that felt it was good information as it sounds logical. Unfortunately it is not factual. The bank in the departure area is a BAC-San Jose branch and they use the same exchange rate as every other BAC bank branch. Their rate will be within a few colones +/- every other bank, both public & private in Costa Rica.

This website will give you the current rate of exchange for every financial institution in Costa Rica. If a bank changes their rates during the day the must notify the Central bank within 20 minutes and the website is updated.

http://indicadoreseconomicos.bccr.fi.cr ... nilla.aspx

Perhaps the person who told you about the exchange rate at the bank in the departure area was comparing it to the money exchange in the arrivals area. Right now the bank is 499.00 and the money exchange is 440.50.

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

I try to pay the exit tax at the holiday inn in the beginning of Dec and was not able to because they said their system had been down all week.

Has anybody paid their tax online yet?

Looks like this still is down. Anybody have any luck with this yet?

I'm shocked the site is still not up.

Like I said before, they meant December in 2012.

Still looking good for 2012.

Anything that has the potential to make things easier is good - however - for me, in many trips over the last 15 years, its always been a very simple proceedure after i clear customs, to walk across the street, buy the exit stamp, and change money - seldom over 10 min's for both proceedures.

2 less things to worry about when in San Jose.

Lines to pay your exit tax at the airport on your day of departure are long gone. Now that several banks and hotels can accept your payment and issue your exit tax documents lines at the airport have disappeared. So much so they did away with the sales booth in immigration when you arrive and the second sales counter in the departure area.

The ONLY advantage that I see in paying early is that it is more convenient to fill out the form in your hotel room or casa then it is to fill it out without a comfortable writing desk at the airport.

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