i need to renew also. is there any way to keep all the pages of country stamps i have in my current one? a friend of mine sent hers in and it just came back with new blank pages. shame to lose the memories.

When actually renewing the passport by mail, there is no need to do this. Simply check the box for the non-standard 52-page passport. The book is nicer and has a bit of a "spine" to it which helps it hold its shape better. There is no additional charge. If you don't need it, it just means you'll have a slightly bulkier book.

SR

That refers to the DS-82 IF ELIGIBLE. The guidance I received from the DOS was that the DS-82 is a written request in and of itself. In addition, the DS-82 52-page book is not a request for additional pages strictly speaking -- it is its own book (i.e. you are not getting a book then asking for additional pages to be added to it). In the full context of the link, there are also references to those who are not eligible to file a DS-82 (i.e. DS-11 filers). In all likelihood, the DS-82 has outdated the original guidance, which has been unchanged for several years.

As I mentioned before, I am on my third 52-page book and have never submitted a separate written request.

The DS-82 itself strongly recommends that those who may need it check the box for the 52-page book -- no mention of additional documentation. That box has not always been on that form, which is probably the reason for the letter -- so that they would know that you want a larger book. On my first book, when the form did not have the box, the post office clerk wrote a note that I wanted the larger book. I recommend the 52-page book because it is more durable (although more bulky). It's also handy if you visit places like Japan, Russia and Mexico, where some provinces love to take up half a page or a whole page for one entry/exit.

Kind of an academic argument anyway -- you can always enclose a separate letter if you want. They'll either file it or throw it away, who knows? The guidance I received the first time I applied for the larger passport was that if I wanted the larger one they were happy to give it to me, but it saved some expense to keep it small if I didn't need it. They really did not care how many pages were in my passport.

Wouldn't be the first time the procedure has outpaced the guidance. I applied for a GE card and the GOES website insisted that I needed an appointment, which I scheduled. Five days later the card showed up in the mail. I tried to call to cancel the appointment, but it kept going to voicemail. I left a message that I wasn't going to make the appointment and never heard anything else about it.

SR

oh ... and the problem isnt getting INTO costa rica, it is getting OUT of USA.
the airlines in the USA before leaving wont let you go without a valid passport.
by valid means 6 months remaining.

i’m really not certain just where you’re getting this information,,, stated policy is three (3) months validity @the time of entry into costa rica.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... quirements

if the duration of your stay should exceed the passports validity - the embassy in san jose can secure the renewal.