www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Who the hell, in their right phucking mind, would give up their ORIGINAL passport, while in Costa Rica, to a guy from New York City ?!??!!?!?

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

I travel back and forth frequently. After seeing this post, I purchased 3 "departure tickets" at the airport today without any questions.

They don't even have to hand you their passports. The bank only needs your name and passport number. I got mine through some tico runner like that in the past 12 months.

You may have a good thing going there.

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- must not waste chalk.

Technically you need to present your passport. There are banks in CR that will accept only the original not a copy. Like all things in CR there always are differences in what is acceptable and what is not acceptable at branches of the same institution.


There also is the favorite "Tico Game" mess with the gringo. What they will accept from a Tico runner is not necessarily acceptable from a gringo

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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

Technically , sure.

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- must not waste chalk.

RobL I bought my departure tax Feb 20 2007 at the desk of the Presidente hotel just like I did last year. It`s so easy.

Presidente has been selling the departure tax stamp for well over a year but request that you be a guest of the hotel. Now that there are two selling points in the departure area of SJO, one selling booth in Immigration arrival area, numerous banks in town, TACA customer service offices, etc. why would you want to violate the Prez. policy

There are so many alternatives standing in long lines at the airport is no longer a reality. Why make it such a big deal

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

For a while the Hotel Presidente sold the salida tax to anyone. I got one there (after I called and confirmed it was ok I was not a guest) this February as well. It was handy and easy. Now not, the hotel policy has changed again aparently. But the bank is only a couple more blocks so not that big a deal, seldom long lines when I’ve been there.

The last thing I have always thought about when I arrived at SJO is Departure, maybe I will rethink that and include it in the routine with Duty Free and ATM. Usually though I want to get close to the front of the Immigration line…Main reason I try and sit in the front of the plane . I will check it out next time I have checked bags.

My customary departure time at 7 am is an absolutely madhouse at Juan Santamaria with Continental and American loading up, the lines go all the way out the entrance sometimes. Since my first exit years ago I make a point to have that form filled out and tucked in my passport. Makes leaving much less stressful than it already is.