www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Last week, I entered CR on a bus (for the first time) from Nicaragua. The window witch at CR Immigration asked for proof of onward travel out of CR. I knew that they always have the right to see that proof, but I had never been asked for it when entering CR at SJO. I still had 30 days left on my 90 day CR visa before I went to Nicaragua.

I was carrying a copy of my JetBlue reservation, showing that I was leaving CR in THREE more days. He was satisfied with that "proof".

He gave me a 90 day stamp to enter CR............ GO FIGURE.

Actually, the CR window witch was very pleasant and efficient. The bus guy does most of the paperwork/passport stuff for you at the border when entering and leaving Nicargua, but you do have to appear before a CR immigration official when leaving and entering CR.

Once I got past my 90 day window I always had a ticket to Nicaragua with a open date to prove I was leaving at some point. They were always satisfied with it.

Is a bus ticket acceptable when arriving by plane?

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I have used a bus ticket returning from the states several times over the years. Have never been asked for a ticket out of CR when arriving here by air. Almost every time when entering from Nicaragua or Panama have had to show a ticket out of CR. The difference is they know that none of the airlines will allow you on the plane without a ticket out of CR so they just assume you have one. Seems the airlines are responsible for getting you back to the States if CR refuses your entry!!

The only two problems I have ever had was (every time) the airlines want to try to force me to buy an AIRLINE ticket out of CR--a bus ticket is sufficient since CR does not care where you are going, nor how, as long as you have a way to leave their country. Twice I have had to go to airline management to get the problem solved.

The only other problem I have had was up until a couple years ago an open-ended bus ticket was good indefinitely (still are with the bus company). A couple years ago CR inmigracion decided they would only accept such tickets that were less than a year old!! No big problem, I just bought a new one and used the old one on my next bus trip out.

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