www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've heard from multiple sources that Miami should be avoided if possible because customs there is a real pita. So is it so bad that I should pay an extra $100-$200 to go through Atlanta instead?
Phatlanta is usually a breeze but I just found a cheaper AA flight that goes through Miami.
Niko

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Asian women are still women.

Never had a problem in Miami, sometins a 10-20 minute wait

My only complaint about MIA customs is the hike from the gate to migration. Other than that no problems

I flew roundtrip to SJO out of Miami International back in 2003. I'll second what the posters above me said. The walk from the gate to customs upon returning to Miami was a bit of a hike. We waited in line for about 10-15 minutes, but the line seemed to triple in size soon after we were lucky enough to position ourselves.

It is an awfully long walk from the airplane through immigration and customs at Miami. However, since there are so many customs agents working, it's usually a fairly fast gateway as long as you don't look like one that would transport drugs. Dress like a conservative middle class tourist (put a camera around your neck) and you will fly through.

My only complaint in Miami is that after clearing customs, you have to put your checked luggage into a large room and then have to go through Miami Airport security. My luggage did not make it on my flight to Chicago even though I had a two hour layover.

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I will travel the world over to find a better latina! Gringas have flat asses..

I've been through Miami I&C or dozen or so times over the past few years without any problems, delays, etc. No need to worry about it.

I second that. I've flown AA from MIA to SJO a couple dozen times and never had a problem. It's definitely a long walk from your arrival gate to the immigration counter, but that's the only down side.

Yesterday, I arrived at MIA at 4:35 p.m., and I was on the highway, headed home at 5:25 p.m. MIA continues to be my airport of choice. YMMV.
Mucho Gusto

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Miami customs is like all other customs
1. how many people have arrived at about the same time
2. what is the staffing level vs the number of arrivals
Delayed flights or charters arriving 'unexpected' can cause delays everywhere

When you arrive in Miami and go thru Customs it feels like you are still in a foreign country...... Except for the exceptionally long walk no problems with customs....

Miami airport is the pits....old terminals, no food, smelly restrooms.....

Miami Airport is a gutter. I had to stand in line for 15 minutes to get a beer during the NFL playoffs. Then there are the long walks from hell to get to a gate. Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) is my favorite Florida airport. It's new, clean, compact and a breeze to get in and out of with its rental car facilities built into the parking garage.

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I will travel the world over to find a better latina! Gringas have flat asses..

Never been held up in MIA, its always JFK that seems to give me a hard time

Never had a problem with Customs in MIA.

jdd

Standing in line at an airport bar for 15 minutes for a beer during the NFL playoffs, well, that sounds pretty good to me

Miami is usually no problem except for the long trek around the airport.
However, do not smile at the young ladies from the Department of Agriculture as they consider this suspicious behavior and will subject you to a search and glower at you while they check your bages for exotic plants (or whatver they are looking for).

A 15 minute wait for a beer at an airport bar is not an acceptable wait time to me! At Chicago's Ohare Airport, I can get a beer at any bar under 5 minutes on Thanksgiving weekend. I have had the same good experience at New York's Laguardia Airport too!

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I will travel the world over to find a better latina! Gringas have flat asses..