www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Here's a great idea I found on another Bangkok mongering site. Designed for rookies (like me) on arriving into the bangkok airport and how to navigate. May be one of the SJ guys could do up a similar guide



http://www.bangkoktonight.com/info/bang ... port.shtml

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GO Winnipeg JETS!

That's too complicated.

Here is Dildo Man's guide to SJO for rookies:

1) Get out of the plane.

2) Go to the bathroom and take a leak.

3) Go to Duty Free stores if you need to buy liquor, cigarrettes, etc.

4) Follow the rest of the people who are walking towards Immigration.

5) Choose any line except the two on the far right. Both are reserved for Costa Rican nationals, the elderly (although some of you guys may qualify!) and diplomats. Present your passport.

6) Go down to baggage claim, get your luggage and present your customs form to the agent.

7) Walk out of the airport and pick the transportation of your choice. Preferably Airport Taxis that are painted in orange.

Voilà

DildoMan,

Good advice, my only suggested change is first go thru immigration and then use the duty free in the baggage claim area. I find that quicker. That may be because I am a Costa Rica resident and can use the booths on the right which are less crowded and then shop while waiting for my baggage.

If you live here you
always have checked baggage

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

Good input Ding Dong.

Dildo Man

In January, I went to the Costa Rica nationals line and went right through. I am an anglo dood from Texas, so I could not be mistaken for a tico. I figured if they would not let me through, I would just go back to the end of the regular line.

Myrivers,

From the pictures of that link Bangkok airport looks like a very big airport. And what the guys here are hinting at is that CR airport is not that big and you should have no problem getting around it. If you are flying in on American Airlines, once you get off the plane, just follow everybody in front of you cause they all are heading for customs area and that is about a 3-minute brisk walk. You are on the same floor so there's no elevator or escalator to take. But once you go through customs/immigration you need to take the escalator down to the luggage pickup area, go through the X-ray machine and walk out to catch a cab. That's it.

Well, come to think of it I might just take some pictures of the airport just to let newbie see what it looks like the next time I go to CR.

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Live today as it was your last day, for tomorrow may never come.

Great post Myrivers as each airport is unique. Can someone fill in when to exchange $USD. Also, where on DildoMan's list should you pay your $26 exit fee.

DildoMan, great list. It might seem simple to the regulars but to first timers like myself it can save some initial aggravation.

A final list would be a good post for the "Newbie" must read thread.

Herbf

Exit fee can be paid / bought at the airport , as you enter the terminal it's at the far right end ( expect a line ) , per Admin1 the Presedente sells them there too , for guests , but if you run into anyone staying there , I guess they could buy for you too. Also seem to remember some posts about a bank near the Prez that also sells them. You will need to fill out some info on the back of it and you need it before you check in , that where you surrender it.

Change you money can be done at casino's , or use atm's and pay your bank a fee , DONT change at the airport !!!

For the taxi, you exit thru customs and go outside , turn left and walk to the taxi booth ( 25 ft ? ) , they accept us$ , $12.00 for cab downtown , if that's where your headed. I always have it ready in my pocket so I dont have to thumb thru my wallet.

Hope this helps

Bing

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Yippieeeee !!

at immigration, there is an exit tax booth in the left hand corner...you can buy it before you enter immigration...you need to show your passport at the prez and it's a service of the hotel,not for guy's to be abusing in my opinion bing.............

point taken , as I buy mine 3-4 at a time now, then use them up , don't give that one much thought....

Bing

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Yippieeeee !!

I bought my departure taz at the prez last sat. even though I was staying at the amon plaza. No problem-no questions asked.

shemp

Bing wrote:


I think a number of banks sell them now but I find the best bank to buy them is the Banco Credito de Cartago. It is located Avenida 4, Calle 2 on the south side of Parque Central (1/2 block east of the old Park Hotel)

Go up the steps to the first floor, room on the right, tellers on the right side. Never more than 2 or 3 people and you out of there in about 5 minutes.

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

There is an ATM in the terminal, at one of the gates....I believe it is Gate 4a (someone can help me here)...it is a Bank of Nova Scotia machine. I generally like to hit the ATM upon my arrival, so I am flush with colones.

When I arrive during the daytime, I sometimes go back upstairs after I clear customs, and go pay my departure tax there.

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"Jizz Long and Prosper!"

Junfan, a bank of nova scotia at terminal 1...wow thats a canuck bank up here in the great white north! Too bad I deal with RBC Bank!

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GO Winnipeg JETS!

The banks name is actually Scotia Bank. It is a subsidiary of the Bank of Nova Scotia not a branch. They have branches thru-out San Jose.

Great service, everyone is bi-lingual and unlike CR national banks never a long line. Have had my account there since I moved to CR

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