www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Do you still have to leave the country for 72 hours to get your passport stamp? I heard there was a place you could go pay 100.00 and get your passport stamped without leaving the country. Anybody know about this?

In theory you are supposed to be able to, but I don't think immigration knows how or wants to process it. I have heard of countless problems with people who have tried. I don't know if it is impossible, but for now I would plan to leave. I actually love to leave and go to San Juan del Sur for 3 days. Funny, I can do a vacation there for 3 days cheaper than I can go to SJ for 3 days. Including transportation. Disclaimer though, SJDS not much of a monger town.

That was a flourishing business a few years ago. Then migracion cracked down and did a few things to make it more difficult. One of those things was to use an ink that changed color when put under a black light. A couple from Escazu got caught that way and deported.

They are now slowly switching to a computer generated stamp for your passport rather then the old ink stamp. That will make it much more difficult to "buy" a stamp.

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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

ID, I'm thinking but I could be wrong, that he is not talking about paying a bribe to get a fake stamp. But wasn't that a new provision in the new immigration law? That you could actually pay $100 at immigration and get an extension on your visa. The way I understood it is that immigration just doesn't know how to process it and now they are evaluating how to do it..... I used to pay the bribe back in the day, but wouldn't even think about doing it now. But whatever ya do, don't go over. Just can be too much hassle these days.

I think there is some confusion. IRRC the 72 hr deal is for purchases. Read up on it at

http://www.arcr.net/

I reread his post and think you are correct TW. The problem, as I have read and understand it, is that the way the law is worded that provision only applies if you received an entry for less then 90 days. If you received a 90 day visa on entry you can not pay $100 and apply for an extension. From what I have been told the law was incorrectly worded which caused the problem of excluding those who initially got a 90 day visa.

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

Thanks ID, that's been bugging me to know for sure. I was thinking that it was a technicality in the wording... Just my 2 cents, even if they get it worked out I will still go to Nicaragua for mine. I can do the required days, eat well and have fun for maybe $225. Nice little mini vacation.

Of the over 20,000 members on this site, has anyone ever been fined, arrested, deported or had their hand slapped for being over their 90 day stay. I would like to hear from that person, not someone that knows someone or heard of someone. Lets only go back 5 to 10 years only. THANKS

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THE ONES THAT DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NICE GIRLS ARE, ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THEM. THE ONES THAT REALLY KNOW; DON'T TALK ABOUT IT:

And should no one on this site have experienced a problem for overstaying their 90 visa what exactly does that establish?

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

I guess this may prove that all CRT members obey the laws. Or maybe the laws are not being enforced?

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THE ONES THAT DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NICE GIRLS ARE, ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THEM. THE ONES THAT REALLY KNOW; DON'T TALK ABOUT IT:

probably one or the other

Actually proves not even that.

Your base is not 20,000 members but rather the 200, not necessarily unique, viewers of this thread.

That sample is far too small to support either of your hypothesizes.

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

This topic has been posted on the board other times and has never had a reply.

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THE ONES THAT DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NICE GIRLS ARE, ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THEM. THE ONES THAT REALLY KNOW; DON'T TALK ABOUT IT:

They have not implemented the new law, so no one knows how to collect the $100 for an additional 90 days. All the local "perpetual tourists" are doing the same they have always done, leave 90 days for 72 hours. I know the 72 hours is really the customs law not the immigration law, but the immigration people seem to have adopted it as rule.

As for the fake stamps guys used to buy, I know of two non CRT members that recently got in major trouble over them. One seems to have bought his way out, the other is looking at deportation. If you are one of the many guys who have fake stamps in your passport (Even if they are not recent) you might want to report your passport lost or stolen and start anew.

BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

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BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

I am well aware of that and also aware of the erroneous conclusions that are drawn from that. Just decided to head it off in this thread.

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