www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Do you know what is the limitation in bringing Alcohol and Tobacco into Costa Rica? I hear hard liquor is really expensive.

Hard liquor is much cheaper in CR than in the US, an example I buy Stoly Razz on my way in at Duty Free and pack in my suitcase for $ 8 - 9 per bottle, about 1/2 of the price in the US

4 bottles is the max


Cigarette are also cheaper about $ 18 per carton at Duty Free and can bring back 4 cartons, they are made by Phillip Morris, but a latin affiliate, not quuite the same, but not dramatically different

If you like cigars it is much cheaper to bring your own from the IS. JR Cigars or Thompson cigar Company sell god quality smokes via mail order. Most Cubans aren't that great in my opinion....since I like milder cigars.

I was told by the clerk at the duty free shop at SJO that you can bring in 8 liters to CR. I routinely buy the full 8 liters and have never had a problem.

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

Great news for my upcoming visit, is the limit still 4 bottles in your checked bag on return to the US ? I can't carry on because of the non-stop rule. No non stops from Chicago since United took theirs away, they still fly non-stop to Guatemala (Taca affiliation) but not San Jose....

SUCKS LARGE.

All my buddies from LA, FL, NY and NoCar, DC, Jersey and now even Phoenix all have non stops, but not me, c'mon airlines, bring the Chicago to SJO back please..

PETITION THE AIRLINES........LOL

DON’T bring hard liquor to CR. Drunk that I am (like Capo says alcoholics go to meetings) I know what I speak. Unless there is something rare you can’t live without they have a great selection at Duty Free. Ya Stoli $8 a LITER not all brands are such dramatically cheaper but I think all are to some extent or other. They will box it up in secure little cardboard suitcases and away you go; get cash at the ATM right there and here comes your check in bags in the carousel, no time wasted if you get through the rest of the embarcadero in a timely manner (hint: sit in Front of the plane). Grab a FREE cart(s) if it is too much to drag and carry they will sell you as much as you can possibly enter with. I saw a couple once with the counter overflowing onto the floor out the door, so if you find a willing traveler or two or three to give their passport for purchase and not take their quota...

Cigarettes too a buck and change a pack anywhere why bring if you smoke the regular brands. One thing I do bring because I am different in that regard, pretty limited selection here. The only thing I wish I could; would be beer that has a little flavor but that is just me and not worth it they are gone too fast.

Bringing Back to the states I can’t figure out the rules and all of the exemptions. The way I read it is yes I think you can bring back 4 liters duty free.http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/. I used to carry back a couple liters and never questioned but now I say phuck it it isn’t worth a catastrophe checking it in to save some bucks, again just me.

Liquor and cigs are the Last Things you need to worry about here, you can buy both cheaper at any AM/PM (cracks me up sorry or just about any other store). I love this country Pura Vida.

PS At this time 11/18/06 there seems to be some sort of vodka Stolichnaya supply problem in stores around the gulch, a rare bottle of vodka. If you see it in your favorite store please advise – I should have followed my own advice. Hey I bought five liters @ duty free. but I am here until February...

A $25 bottle of crown in the US is $14 at duty free with tax