www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Well, I just flew back to the US today. The actual exit tax appears to be the same at $26. I handed the chica at the desk $30 and received back about 2,000C and change.

On the way to my gate, I took a detour to the smoking bar, to have a dag before the long flight. I also decided to have a vodka/orange juice cocktail, to clear some cob-webs, and to set the tone for a boring 5 hour journey.

Yikes... a very small drink mostly of ice ciosted $7.50. Well... that sounds more like the price of a well drink in Manhattan.

I guess you will never win, when it comes to non-necessities in an airport. But, come on!!!! give us a break.

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What makes you say the tax has increased? You gave her $30.00 which is 15,540 colones ($30.00 x 518). The tax was 13,468 colones ($26.00 x 518). That means your change should have been 2072 colones and you said she gave you "2,000C and change".

Seems to me you were correctly charged the normal $26.00 fee.

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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

They tax the tax? I'm almost positive when I've paid at the Pres. it's a flat 26.00.

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I think he was talking about the high-priced drink being a new form of "tax".

Rereading his post, after a cup of morning coffee, I think you are correct Wit.

But that is the norm in all airports. A double Absolute on the rocks at Miami airport set me back over $15.00 recently. Never bought a drink at SJO but there food prices are very close to the highest I have ever seen at an airport.

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

I don't think the food prices are that high at SJO. I usually get something before boarding my 6pm flight home.

A "value" meal at Papa Johns is $6.50.

*It is almost $6 here in NY!!!!

Have no idea what constitutes a "value" meal at Papa Johns since I never eat there but I do know you can stop at Costa Del Sol, before you go to the airport, and get a large slice of delicious pizza and a coke for $1.15.

Now thats a value meal

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

the smoking bar at the airport in San Jose jacks up the prices since they know you have to come to them to smoke inside the departure area.

I tell you what, the departure area at the San Jose airport is the saddest spot on the earth.

funny thing, when arriving and walking thru the same area, it seems downright heavenly.

anybody ever stop on arriving for a smoke at the smoking bar?

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Presidente has been authorized to sell the departure tax form for some time now. It is for hotel guests only. The TACA desk at the Amon Plaza Hotel also sells the tax form. I know the BCR branch across from the Hotel Morazan does also and have been told that all BCR branches do also but have not verified that. There is also the booth in the Immigration area when you arrive.

They have opened a second sales counter at the airport departure level. This one is at the opposite end of the terminal (across from the American counter) so there is very little wait time now.

Big change from a few years ago when you had people hawking the form on the sidewalk in front of the terminal as well as the official counter inside the airport.

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