www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I know, a crazy question. But believe it or not I am considering a trip and my return would be on the same day my passport expires. Does anyone know if this would be OK? I have checked the State Dept. high and low and found nothing. And it is too late to renew as the trip would be in less than 2 weeks. I am just wondering if some desk clerk at Immigration would hassle me?


PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!

Could be a problem arriving in Costa Rica unless you are staying for 90 days. They require you have 90 days validity left on your passport when entering the country. How close they check I do not know.

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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

Some countryes will refuse you entry if you don't have enough time left, some as long as 6 months. I would do the expedited service from the State Department. Costs a little money but worth it in my opinion.

Most countries require at least 90 days, and some up to 6 months remaining.

I have a close friend who was refused entry to South Africa for not having enough "empty pages" in his passport. Guess what? Right into the detention center and on the next 17 hour flight back home. This does happen and I would not want my chica adventures curtailed by the whim of some immigration officer.

Officially, I believe Costa Rica requires 30 days minimum validity on your passport from the date you enter Costa Rica, but that's questionable as I have seen 90 days and 6 months on various travel websites.

Here's the CIS website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1093.html

Anyway, you may not need to worry about being refused entry into Costa Rica because you may not even be allowed to board. The check-in agent at the airport is supposed to be checking your passport and if it's under the required minimum, they are supposed to refuse you entry into the airplane.

I had a friend here two weeks ago got his new passport back in eight days. They told him it would be around three weeks. But I think you can pay extra and have them expedite it to be safe.

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Knowledge speaks...Wisdom listens

You can get a passport in one day, if you are in one of the locations that have passport offices. You make an appointment, take your flight reservations, and get your passport at 4:30 PM in the afternoon.
There are services that for a fee will do this for you. www. nationalpassport.com is just one of the companies that do this.
I doubt that the airlines will let you fly with it getting ready to expire as they are responsible to get you home if you cannot get in the country, and all countries want at least 30 days left before you go home, unless you are living there and can get this done at our embassy in the country.

No offense Brother Balibill, but may I clean up and make useable that valuable link? I've screwed'em up here too.
www.nationalpassport.com

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Most countries say that they will not let you in if you have less than 30 days to go on your passport. The airline may not even let you board.

Being within the last 6 months of a passport is generally not a good place to be. At least as far as international travel is concerned.

Like to hear how you made out, or any related "real world" experiences just in case.

I try to plan ahead as much as possible on things like this, but you never know.....NATIONAL PASSPORT is a great business/site for those in need & willing and able to pay for the service.

Panama can refuse your entry with less than 6 months remaining on your passport validation. Your best bet is get it renewed.

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All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

i have seen people refused to board the plane ( in USA) for not having at least 90 days left on the passport for the airline does not want to fly you back..