www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Arriving in CR tomorrow and will be renting a car at the beach (Tamarindo) over the weekend to do a bit a coastal exploring.

One question: what is the deal if I get stopped by the policia? Is it cool to offer a propina to the cop in CR or is that going to get me into hot water? What is the best way to resolve quickly?

Thanks.

i got popped for speeding twice ( actually I think the radar gun was a hair dryer) it was around Christmas, so I offered to by the officers coffee, cost me 20 dollars each time. Hand was lowered way down into the car, gave the 20, and I was off.
Squid

This has been discussed a couple of times here.

I still believe that if you did nothing wrong and believe the police stopped you to solicit a payoff then tell them you will take the ticket. Many times they will just tell you to go.

If you really did commit the infraction then it is a lot easier if you can just pay a small propina and go on your way. The way I would handle that in a case like yours is to say Officer I am only here for a short time and it would be really hard for me to go to court. Would it be possible for you to take the money for the fine to the judge?

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

Great advice. Muchas gracias.

You also have the option of taking the ticket. Depending on how fast you're going, it may only be 8,000 - 10,000 colones for the ticket! Then again, last year I read where they were going to increase all the rates for traffic violations in CR. Not sure if they've done this yet or not.

I've paid the roadside bribes in the past. But if I'm feeling froggy, I'll insist that he write me a ticket. And I have found out that they do not like taking the time to write the ticket. This might get you off the hook.

Legally, they're supposed to issue you the traffic citation. Then, you just give it to your rental car agent when you return your car, and they'll pay the ticket (Of course they'll charge you for the ticket and a couple thousand colones for a "processing fee"). No biggie. If nothing else, it's another souvenir!

But if you're in a pinch, or rushed for time, you can always hand him 10K colones, and you're on your way!

Have fun and drive safe. One word of caution (especially parking on the streets of Tamarindo) - DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OF VALUE VISIBLE IN YOUR CAR.

MG

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

Currently the usual "propina" for a traffic infraction is 5000 colones.

The new fines have not yet been approved by the legislators. Once the higher fines are started the "propina" will undoubtedly increase but will still be less than the fine.

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

ID, this is a GREAT, smooth approach. Tell the fellow criminal to "take . . . the fine to the judge." HA.

I am with MG. It is no big deal to have the rental car company pay it and it is true, they don't like writing them up.

I have been pulled over twice. I was real nice, told them that I could not possibly come back to see the judge and got away with nothing more than an apology.

It's pretty simple.

Take the ticket if:

1 - You have the time and energy to screw with it.
2 - Want to fight the corruption
3 - Want to help other drivers by making harder to be taken advantage of by the cops.

Pay them off if:

1 - You don't have time or want to spend the effort on your trip to screw with it.

Bribery doesn't seem to be an offense in CR. When I got nabbed I simply asked the officer if I could pay the fine for my ticket right here and now and give it to him directly. I wasn't speeding which pissed me off and if I had the time I would have insisted on getting the ticket.

Jeez......according to some Gringa in the Tico Times, they will now settle for some smoked salmon and a beer.

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

I got stopped in Escazu at roadside checkpoint and I didn't have my Costa Rica License with me. I did have my US one but not my passport. He threated to remove my license plates. 8k colones.