www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Just another newbie question. I did an extensive search, but could not find the answer.

This past weekend, another member mentioned to me that it might be possible to pay for your departure tax (for upcoming trips) ahead of time. Does anybody know about this?

In other words, can I pay for 5 or 6 departure taxes at one time, for future trips? Or will they only let you pay for one? Maybe a dumb question, but if this is possible, it could be very advantageous for myself and many of the CR frequent flyers.

Thanks,
MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Of course MG...just drop off the cash for your future departures at my house "in small bills" and I will take care of everything. Also if you are interested,I can arrange for you to invest in the new road to Jaco. How about buying a 25% ownersip in the crocadiles on the way to Jaco. Also the Brothers are still looking for investors if you are interested.

Typical newbie

Ever notice how they claim to have done a lot of reading, done a search, worked their butt of trying to find the answer to their question

Being more serious MG I was once told by the clerk at the Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago, which at that time was the only bank that could sell the stamp, that it was only valid for 30 days. I have no idea if that information was correct or if he was just making it up. Wish I could be of more help.

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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

Sounds like a plan. Just have your girl call my girl, and we'll get things going! But for now, we can just correspond through facsimile, e-mails, text messages, tele-conference calls, satellite hook-ups and my-space. And then we'll all get together and do lunch!

Thanks VB! (...And they say that I'm a ball buster ?!?!?!?)

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

To corroborate what Irish Drifter said: I was told the same thing by the clerk at the little desk at Immigration where they sell the tax.

* each visitor may buy only one tax per visit. Each traveler must present his/her valid passport at the time of purchase.

2. The prepayment of the impuesto de salida is 90 days. If you've overstayed your 90-day welcome, losing the $26.00 is just another part of the penalty.

I can't swear this is legal fact, but it does lend support to what I.D. was told at the Banco de Credito Agricola de Cartago, near Central Park (south side). BTW, last I heard, you can still buy your tax there.

(I changed this post to correct the mistaken statement of 30 days...it's 90...my bad)

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I stay at the Presidente and any guest can buy the $26 exit tax at the check in desk and also if it`s any help to you exchange US dollars for colones at a good rate.

I am positive I remember Gamblingman some time ago (maybe years ago) posting that he was stocking up on them. In fact I remember him saying don’t lose them or mess up filling ‘em out you can’t get your money back. Maybe that was for if you intend to use them within 90 days I don’t know – but why wouldn’t you be able to, as long as your departure(s) were under 90 days from the date stamped on the thing? (Just to be on the ultra-safe side). The proof of your visa is in your passport, not on the silly form.

I always present my copy of passport when I get them, never a problem at the bank downtown. One time I happened to be going by the branch in Curridabat and thought let’s stop and get one, we’re right here. After waiting in the phucking musical chairs for a half hour I get to the window and the guy is “sorry senor I need to see your original passport”. So I guess depending on whose lips are moving you might hear a lotta stuff.

I just looked at my last stub and there is nothing there under ‘expiration date’. Whose got a whole form? Read on there and see if says anything about 30 days or even 90 days – I wouldn’t think so.

When I jetted out a few weeks ago it took me a whole 3 minutes to buy my exit tax at the airport.

You were lucky. The first time I departed C.R., the line to buy the exit stamp was almost to the street. I had purchased mine upon arriving in Costa Rica and sailed through...wel, at least as far as the Delta counter. I'm very glad I don't wait until the last minute to pay the stupid tax.

BTW, I've heard rumors that C.R. is planning on either adding an arrival tax, or increasing substantially the departure tax. Anyone know anything about this?

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I also have never waited more than a few minutes at the airport to pay my departure tax. There ia a place on both sides to pay this tax. I've found that if one has a line the other usually doesn't or maybe I've just been lucky.

That's the way it usually was until the expanded the counters about a year and a half ago or so. Now, there's 2 counters, one has about 6-7 clerks.

I forgot to buy mine in town last weekend and when I got to the airport on Tuesday there were only 3 people in line. Took all of 45 seconds.

I have always been able to pay the departure tax at the Presidente. They have changed their policy; however, and will only accept payment from hotel guests. I paid mine at the bank in the INS building and it took me about 15 minutes; seems they have to train the clerks on what to do. I have also waited that long at the airport.

You have to be a registered guest of the Presidente in order to buy the tax there.

Thanks for the tip on going to the Banco de Costa Rica to purchase your exit tax. I didn't know that one could do it there.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Does anybody know if you can buy an exit stamp for somebody else if you had his passport?

If so, Orange Exit Tax Delivery Service may be up and running by the end of May (Memorial Day weekend).

It will cost $4 (for a total of $30) to have your exit tax delivered to your room saving you the "long" wait at the exit tax counters. Expedited service (day of departure) will be available for an additional $10.

I'm thinking about a partnership with the Del Rey Marriage Services Corp to cut down on the overhead.

I would guess you can. I have seen a messenger buying them for 5 or 6 people at the bank.

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