www.CostaRicaTicas.com

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

Well, you just better keep on doing that!

(Unlike some of the "Drugstore Cowboys" on CRT, I do know what I'm talking about - and sometimes, I've done the opposite - in my previous days- and know what works - honestly, when I suggest something, I'm serious on trying to help someone - I do get pissed when posting style interferes with good info in some guys minds

Oh, and PS - Whit gave some very good points on buying the exit visa in advance - but then, WTF do I know )

Since the AA non-stop from DFW doesn't arrive at SJO until after 8 p.m., the airport option is not available. I therefore like that other options are posted for my benefit.

Keep those cards & letters coming.

Scuba, many of your recommendations and observations have been spot on, that being said that they don't work 100% of the time for 100% of the people, I was happy to see that you gave yourself the 98% example, here is something that fits in the 2% category and I'll give you a specific example. Last May I arrived the same day Obama showed up in San Jose. My flight arrived about 90 minutes before Air Force One. There is no way I am going upstairs and get my Exit stamp ahead of time and risking getting stuck at the airport or have my route downtown blocked off because of a motorcade. Lord knows how long that trip would hav taken. As it turns out the roads were wide open most of the way but had to detour close to downtown. Streets were blocked in Barrio Amon. My cab could go no further than the Mona Lisa and I had to walk up the hill to Sportsmens with my bags. I was asked for my ID near Casa Amarillo and showed the police my hotel reservation so I could pass. Had I gotten there later I may have been turned around as they were holding meetings in Casa Amarillo.
This was a truly unique situation that rarely happens, but had I followed the gospel, I may have created my own delay and distress.

On a lighter note:
All of this reminded me of sketches that were part of the Rocky and Bullwinkle Cartoon Show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bae0TZL4fRU

I'll settle for a 98% success rate

Obviously, in the example you gave, common sense prevailed - and I'll never disagree with that. (also , it was, as you correctly point out, an uncommon situation).

What I do object to is posts on the part of some .....ah, you know what - Phuck it - I know what I am, what I'm all about - if someone wants to listen to someone with a brain, and an IQ higher than a shoe size - who has the time and experience in CR - great - if not - that's OK too.

I'm justifying changing money at a bank at the airport Avoiding possible robbery in San Jose, and the waiting and the bull shit and the poor service and the long waiting that Costa Ricans put up with and buying your exit visa before you leave the airport - avoiding possible computer glitches, etc at hotels in San Jose who sell them and possible long lines - as well as saving a few bucks on the transaction - as well as the feeling - its done. And I'm getting pushback

Sure there are going to be exceptions to what I posted - if you get in when the bank is closed, when the visa section is closed - OBVIOUSLY - if you arrive on the date the president is coming to town, sure - if b/c you are too "excited" (sorry - I've taken every conveyance - with the exception of ox cart - to get from SJO to downtown - and every single one would wait 10 min's for me to change $$ and buy my exit visa - so that example does not wash with me - plus on that side of the airport, that's where you get the <cheaper> cabs dropping off and returning to San Jose - so while I will acknowledge there are exceptions to every rule, they are few and far between.

I know my experience and level of intelegence - I wish quite frankly I had one of me 15 years ago and 40 trips ago - take the advice or not, on this or other topics, and if you don't like the style of posting, too bad - certainly not directed at you Flabuck - just a general comment - b/c I get frustrated at the level of stupidity of some on this board. (and not when they disagree with me - so much/manny I have totally divergent views with, say, Jazzbo, and yet I don't consider him a dummy - misguided politically, perhaps, but not stupid )

Has this thread morphed into "Scuba is 98% correct."

Probably.......

I would say about 75-80% of my guys who come in, go upstairs and buy their departure tax. If you are coming in during the rush hours 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., there are few people in line upstairs. Takes about 2 minutes.

Advantage, if you run out of cash while your are here p4p, you can still go home. You can not exit the country without this tax being paid. Even if you are .25 cents short.

Disadvantage, you could have had too much fun and loose your exit tax. In this case you will have to spend another $29 to purchase a new one. I've seen it happen many times.

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Add a little spice to you life.This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No "Sex tourism or travel" promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided any compensation for this hopefully entertaining contribution. Any posts regarding any event or hotel item are just my humble opinions only.

This happened to me. However, I found it once I got home, and used it on my next visit!!!

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

I always put it in my passport after buying it upon arrival @ sjo. I then fill it out before I leave for the airport to head home. I always know where it is.

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

Exactly - not rocket science

I appreciate the compliment, back-handed though it might be. These days, I take what I can get...Now back to the convo...

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED