www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I arrive on the 11th of july without incident... plane ride great on US Air out of Fort Lauderdale. I am to meet my amigo Chicagolatino at the airport as our flights were arriving at the same time. We meet and hit the Duty Free for some libations and head off to Immigration. WTF the line is out the door almost in the terminal. Well, the line moves pretty quick and we get a peek inside. I tell CGL to follow me and we cut straight across the lines to the far corner where they sell the exit stamps. We both purchase our exit stamps and merge in line on the far side line.

Ok we wait probably 25 minutes and we are getting processed....OK now pay attention. I take two copies of my passport out and ask if she will stamp the back with my entry stamp?...BaBing done deal and now I feel good!

Go downstairs collect our bags and thru customs. ...nada prob....we go outside there are people everywhere and way too many ecotourists. We look for CGL's friend who is picking us up but cannot find him. We wait awhile and then opt for a Taxi. We pay at the window and some guy wants to put us both with our luggage while it is raining in one of those small hyndai's. We tell him no and we want a van, he wants $6 more on top of the $12 we already paid. I tell CGL to Phuck it, get our money back and we will deal with someone else. CGL's friend shows up at that moment and we get a refund.

I have never been asked for more money because I used a van. Has anyone else had this problem?

I may start to arrange my guys to pick me up and show up with a cooler of beer. I might as well have a favorita along for the ride to start things right!

continued.....

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

Last I knew was that regular sedans were $12.00 and vans were $15.00. This was quite awhile ago so maybe the van price has gone up.

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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

If you request a van its $20. When you pay for the taxi if you are 3 or more persons they'll probably charge you for a van, definitely for 4 persons.

However, if there are only 1 or 2 of you and you happen to snag a driver w/ a van, you don't have to pay more.

I have taken a van from Presidente to airport every trip so far and have never paid more than $12.00. Once alone and the other times with one amigo.On arrival I have only used the regular cabs-also $12

....OK now pay attention. [b]I take two copies of my passport out and ask if she will stamp the back with my entry stamp?...BaBing done deal and now I feel good![/b]




Please explain this a little more for me. She stamped your copy, not your actual passport?

Great idea by GG. Always a good idea to lock your original passport in the hotel or room safe and carry a copy of your passport as well as entrance stamp.

Dog:

They stamp your passport immediately upon entry, what GG did was ask them to additionally stamp the copy, they understand that smart travelers do not like to keep their original passport with them (theft, security) but want an identification with them at all times.

I will be using this suggestion on my future trips as I have always prepared a laminated photocopy of my passport for trips to CR

Thanks again GG....or should we start calling you

THE MIGHTY WINGMAN

Hope the conversion tables helped, I will be continuing that practice as well....

Chicagoguy said it all, I politely asked the woman to stamp my copies of my passport also. Now, I won't have to waste time to make a copy of the page with the stamp on it. I have it all in one, some guys laminate their copy, this is also a great idea except you will not have the stamp on it.

Hope this was helpful to all!

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

Yes the vans are more expensive. Do not know the exact current price however. Either $15 or $20 nomatter how many.
Still a bargain if you have four and split the cost.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

I always call my regular driver in advance and arrange for him to meet my plane with his van and a cooler with cold Imperials. I give him $20 for his time and efforts.

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NON ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM

DG

Now who called GG a smart traveler?
Sparky

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Sparky
Get in line to ride the lightning!!!


Almost legally single again! Voy a Colombia otra vece!!