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Astroglide
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:14 pm 
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I saw this posted on another board, and wondered if anybody here had the same experience. It looks like the advice would be to always go to the front of the line to see if this is a TICO line or a GRINGO line???

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I arrived on time and in good spirits at the San Jose Airport (SJO). As usual, there was a line at Immigrations, however, this line went all the way to gate 3 (about 75 yards). I was stunned. I always take the later flight our of Dallas leaving around 6 pm and arriving in San Jose around 10 pm. I had never spent more than 20 minutes getting through immigration. Grrr.That's what I get for taking an early flight, which arrived at 2:10 PM.

After waiting in line for nearly 90 minutes, I get to where the turn into the immigrations area is and there is a Tico standing there saying "No Tico go to Left". I go off to the left and find that the 4 "non-nationals" line are virtually empty. This moron had all the non-nationals wait 90 minutes to tell us we could breeze on through. I could have strangled him.

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Latinoheat69
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:10 am 
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Now that you mention it Astro. I had forgotten because I was at the airport to depart, but when I was heading to my gate after I cleared security I remember on Sunday January 9th, the phucking line to get through immigration was backed up farther than I have ever seen it. I'm not sure what gate it backed up to, but I remember thinking to myself "Thank God I'm not arriving because I would be in this line forever". I have never seen it backed up that far. :evil: I never did figure out why and I hope it does not become the norm.
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Admin 1
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:25 am 
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Location: San Jose, Costa Rica & The U.S.A.
The Line recently being backed up is between the hours of 12:50 and 2PM.....

Seems several flights all land between those hours. they are very close together schedule wise, and if any or several get delayed and are out of their time slots by even 10 minutes then they all hit the immigration at the same time.... It used to happen with the AA flights and the Taca flights around 8-930PM but that schedule was rearranged... and seems better now......

Its a very small window if your landing during the time slots above be prepared for a wait.

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Tman
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:30 am 
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I have seen this a couple times where the Tico line is huge and the foreigners line not. It always pays to walk up to where you can look into the immigration area to see if it is just the Tico line. Everyone else in this country cuts in line anyway. They will truly think you're a local...or looking for family members.
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Sammy027
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:49 pm 
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Great My flight arrives at 2:10, better bring some reading material.
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Norteño
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:10 pm 
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How does all of this apply to a 7:30a.m. Mon. arrival? Also, didn't I see a post that suggested getting your departure stamp somewhere in the SJO airport when you arrive?
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Admin 1
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:21 pm 
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Arriving 730AM you should blow right by.... When you enter immigration immedietely on the left is a desk where they sell the departure stamps.. You can buy one there before you actually enter the country...

NOTE.. it takes a minute or two to process the departure stamp so that minute or two can be 30-50 people in front of you in line by the time you have it... I still think the 3 -5 minute wait getting it on the way out is no issue.

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Astroglide
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:44 pm 
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Admin says
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NOTE.. it takes a minute or two to process the departure stamp so that minute or two can be 30-50 people in front of you in line by the time you have it... I still think the 3 -5 minute wait getting it on the way out is no issue


I agree...I have never waited more than 3-5 minutes at the airport on my way out, so I am not sure why guys worry about the exit stamp. Hey....it's like disneyworld in reverse. At Disneyworld you pay to get in....at Costa Rica you pay to leave. Same deal. Different "amusement park."

Thanks for the info on this delay. I will try to schedule my next flight out of "Rush Hour" at the Immigration Line.

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Veelee
 Post subject: Early morning
PostPosted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 6:00 am 
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The view flying in early in the morning almost makes it worth being on a redeye, at least coming from the West. Seeing the whole map of the Pacific side from Guanacaste to Quepos right there in front of you is impressive.
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Miami X
 Post subject: Airport Delay
PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:29 pm 
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I always use the line to the far right at immigration. It has a sign that makes it look like it is for disabled and families, but I have never been stoped at this booth and there is almost never a line.

What time does the departure stamp place open on Sunday Morning. Is it open for the AA early morning flight to Miami?
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Tunaman
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:12 pm 
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On my last trip, I got my exit stamp after I went through all the entry things. I told my driver to take me to the bank in the airport to change some money, and the exit stamp booth is right next to the bank booth. It is located at the departure terminal, so you have to clear customs first.

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Gringo Malo
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:24 am 
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Don't know what the problem could be ...arrived at 9:23pm on January 8th... Disembarked on the tarmack...took shuttle bus to terminal...hit the banos...the Scotiabanc ATM.....Immigration , baggage claim and Customs . At 9:40pm , I was at the Cab Stand.....kissing my favorita to the cheers of bystanders and cabbies alike.

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C. R. Marcos
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:37 am 
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Lots of ways to kill time while waiting for immigration lines to go down.

I purchase the departure tax stamp and then head back to the duty free shops to buy cuban cigars at only $20 for a 5 pack and ridiculously cheap Centenario Rum. I've never visited a country where upon arrival you can shop duty free.

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Admin 1
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:15 am 
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Location: San Jose, Costa Rica & The U.S.A.
Guys.. Just to confirm the bottle neck is very specific between 1PM and 215PM....

Several trips in the last few weeks have been fine without any hassles at Immigration.

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DEAR_JOHN
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:23 pm 
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I don't look like a Tico........went to the Tico line and was through. The other lines were outside the line area. Huge lines..........I was on flight AA 937 out of Miami, a huge Airbus with over 200 people on it. My time in line was about ...........ohh..........3 minutes. I figured what the hell, if she would not let me through, I would just play dumb and go to the back of the lines. Since the lines were so long, I had nothing to lose by trying the Tico line.
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