www.CostaRicaTicas.com

When I departed on September 1st on an early morning flight, the line for the Departure Tax had to be *almost* down to where the immigration lines start. There was no way you'd get through it in less than 30 minutes, although admittedly I'd never seen it that bad in the past.

Easiest place to pay is SL. A couple extra bucks, I put it on my VISA (no foreign exchange fee on mine) and never worry about the conversion issues.

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Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion.

I don't disagree, I'm sure they have a reason - maybe the airlines don't want to mess with it - don't know.

What I will say is for YEARS I have advised people to buy the exit visa/stamp before you leave the airport, and then go right over to the bank a few feet away and change some money (obviously if you arrive real late, neither is an option, but its a good one for the vast majority of people).

This way its done - you are set - you don't have to pay a surcharge; you don't have to deal with the possibility that maybe a hotels computer is down; you don't have to deal with the banks in San Jose and the poor service Costa Ricans put up with so maddenly, nor do you have to risk being robbed by someone who saw you at the bank change money.

All this is safe and efficient at the airport and a possible hassle in San Jose - I don't buy the nonsense that "what works for someone is the way for them to roll" At all - there are better ways to do things and I guess on this subject when I made these suggestions, I got some push back - for reasons I still don't understand - you can go through Cartago and end up in San Jose, but that's not a good way to go - buy the bloody visa and change money at the airport bank and be done with it - all the bull shit you are looking for will still be there in San Jose 10 min's later.

Sometimes, when guys with experience make a suggestion, its in the spirit of helping - so take it.

I always liked the tourist card in the DR. You give the guy $10 and he hands you a piece of paper. You walk thru customs and present the card.

Well Scuba1, I was going to tell you the bank where the midget is a teller. But I guess it's not necessary now.

I remember once converting a significant sum of money at the Bank on the 2nd Floor in the INS building and the Teller saying to me when he gave me the colones, "That's a lot of money"! Made me paranoid on my taxi ride back to the Amistad (was not going to walk it after that!) Since then I always convert at the Airport bank but with of course still some paranoia but not as much as in Barrio Amon!

That's because you have a brain

Never understood the guys who give such push back when something has proven to be better - way too much validation of shitty ideas; no one is ever wrong mentality - sometimes its the simple direct way is proven to be the best.

I just don't like the shots when you tell someone the best way and others post (as has recently happened) that their way is better - its not. Some of you guys can suck my sack.

Shit that has annoyed me:

"K*D" vacationing with his parents - turned out I identified him correctly as a troll - wondered whether he should Phuck this hot girl he met - I called BS - and took a shit storm - for what being right???

Some assholes down for a wedding - one decided to go into San Jose to Phuck - now, this was wedding trip, a destination wedding, held in the middle of nowhere - he would have needed a 5 hour bus ride to get into SJ - when I suggest he plan another trip, stay in SJ - I was told how crazy I was - bad idea then as well as now.

Guy posts about what happened to Jason and Kim of Scores fame - that Scores was Jason's last name - my take is some guys are so bloody gullible that its a wonder they are not swindled at every turn (Note to GB: It was NOT his last name - but I do have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd consider selling to you )

Guy posts he enjoys <like I enjoy a root canal> going to a bank downtown, putting up with the shitty service and wait time that Costa Ricans take for granted - risks robbery going back to his hotel - and gets all "chippy" when suggested this might not be the best way to go - guess what - its not

I'm accused of sometimes posting that "my way is best" and what works for me just might not be te best way of everyone" - Sorry PVT and BD - its correct for the vast majority.

Thanks for taking this little trip with me down jack off memory lane - its better than taking a huge shit - and by huge, I mean a real ass stretcher
Sometimes, I just need to vent - so consider this post just that

I never criticize what people think is the 'best' way...what I don't like to see on the board is absolutes. By that, I mean your way is better than any other way and then going on telling guys how stupid/dumb/clueless/newbie they are for not doing it your way.

For example, changing money and getting your exit tax at the airport is NOT a good idea during certain times. There are times, as pointed out by MuffinMuncher, where the exit tax and/or bank line is really long. You might waste 45 minutes waiting in line for one or the other.

I broke it down earlier in real world terms. If you lose 10 colones per dollar on $500 changing at the Colonial or Del Rey, it cost you around $9.35. Many guys feel 45 minutes waiting in line at the bank is not worth $9.35. Same with exit tax...many guys would prefer to pay SL the extra $2 and not wait in line for 45 minutes.

I 100% agree that doing those at the airport is the 'best' way for 'most' people but not in every case and continuing to push a 'one size fits all' solution to every problem and coming down on anyone who disagrees is what I don't like to see. Give your advice but keep in mind, it is no skin off your back if people don't follow it.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

You miss my point, PVT - it pisses me off to be called out when I'm correct - or 98% correct. Read my whole post above.

Sure, while I'm racking my brain to remember a line at the exit visa place, or anywhere close to 45 min's at the airport bank - even if you did have to wait that long - AND YOU DON'T - still better than a bank in SJ

I think you are missing my point...and that is that being absolute on advice and thinking your 'best way' will fit everyone that comes here is NOT correct. Your 'best way' might be a total disaster for someone depending on that person's priorities/needs/feelings. That is why I say give your advice and let it be. Most times, there is no right/wrong way to do any number of things. Being absolute and telling guys that your way is the 'best' and 'only' way to do something then bitching at them if they disagree is asinine.

I understand you don't like it when guys call you out for not giving the 'right' advice. I am not doing that at all as the majority of advice you give is very good. Just keep in mind, when guys give contrary advice, that is not a slight on you. No one is out to make you look bad. That advice may be for the 2% that are in a different situation.

Take for example a guy that arrives at 3pm. If he leaves the airport about 3:45pm he will get to his hotel around 4:15-4:30pm. If that guy goes upstairs and spends 30 minutes getting his exit tax and changing money, he may not make it to his hotel until 6pm thanks to the wonderful traffic, costing him 2 hours of vacation time. So in that example, changing money and doing exit tax at the airport is NOT the best advice.

Take for example your quote above that you don't have to wait 45 minutes in line for exit tax. Well, hate to break it to you, but there are times you will have to wait that long. If you haven't arrived early enough, you may miss your flight. Being absolute and telling guys they will NEVER have to wait that long is NOT correct and could cost someone a LOT of money.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I think you are a complete gentleman

I'm gonna leave it at that - I'm being truthful and sincere

Thanks Scuba...and think the same of you (most days )

Debate is always a good thing. Providing all the info we can so new guys can make their own choices is also a good thing. Keep on providing it!!!

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I have to agree with PVT. What works for one person doesn't work for another. I have never bought my exit tax in advance. I usually buy on the way out. Never waited more than 5 minutes but I usually get to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

I have taken plenty of advice from Scuba and ignore an equal amount. I took the Tuasa bus, base on Scuba's suggestion, on my very first trip and still do. I don't recommend it for others but it's an option. I have stayed at the Morazan and like it, but some guys consider it a shit hole. What works for one doesn't work for others.

I too agree with both PVT and Attila.
As the saying goes "there are plenty of ways to skin a cat".

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

My last two trips in July and August the line to pay your exit tax was almost down to the AA checkin. It was the longest I've ever seen it and that was two straight trips.

I always go upstairs to change money at the bank and if line is empty I'll do my exit tax. If not the. The extra $2 bucks at SL is worth it. Just my 2 cents

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You do costa rica your way and I'll do it my way

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE! THIS IS NOT A DEBATE! THIS IS NOT A DEBATE!

Just wanted to clear that up.

There may be a number of reasons guys didn't pay their exit tax before leaving the airport. Maybe they were so excited to finally be in San Jose that they forgot. Maybe their ride is waiting. Maybe they had luggage they preferred to just throw into a taxi. In the past I had never gone upstairs upon arrival but I will on my upcoming trip.

As for not waiting to pay the tax upon leaving there are a few good reasons to get it ahead of time:

1. You might be running late after a last minute session or traffic or all of the goodbye kisses from the new "love of your life".

2. As was mentioned earlier there might be a line due to so many flights leaving at the same time. This could also be the case upon your arrival.

3. Peace of mind as this is one less thing to worry about upon leaving.

4. You may have spent all of your money. Ooops!

I can't remember for sure but don't they give you a receipt that you turn in when leaving? If so, make sure you don't lose it. This is a pretty minor part of the overall trip. Do as you please, it won't make any difference to anyone but you.

Wit