www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Not really, if I did that would only make two of us who where wrong.

Seriously I did not go into a point by point rebuttal because this thread is about perpetual tourists obtaining an extension of their visa not about the relative merits of other countries should someone want to leave CR. If you want to discuss that start the appropriate thread.

over & OUT!

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

Yep! Time out.

This is MY thread,and I call no more fighting in the sandbox.

Well, I'm leaving tomorrow and coming back in 8 days. Will let youse know how it goes...

Another thread ruined by BangBang57

Came back through immigration last night. There was a very light crowd compared to usual at this time of night. The lady did question me as to how long I was staying. Told her two or three months. She then asked me for a ticket out of Costa Rica. Had my open bus ticket to Nica. She stamped me and gave me a 90 day visa as usual. This was the first time I had ever been asked how long I was staying and for a ticket. I just answered her questions with no hesitation and she didn't give me any trouble though...

Short side note on Panama immigration. Immigration is now giving 6 month automatic tourist visas...to EVERYONE including Colombians. BUT...they are strictly enforcing new regulations including having at least $500 cash or provable resources and a return ticket on you upon entry. Of course these things have a way of changing every few months or years...but for now I would suggest Panama is much more "perpetual tourist" friendly. Actually, Colombia is the same last I knew. 6 months.

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

Were you at Paso Canoa ?

Anyway, the immigration has been asking to see travel tickets frequently since last fall, from my own experience and observation on other travelers at both SJO airport and border. Last year was the first time I ever got ask for ticket when entering CR. I always have my e tickets with me so that's not a big deal.

The immigration is enforcing the ley more that for sure.

_________________
- must not waste chalk.

This was at the airport. Like I said, this is the first time I have come in at night and it has been so dead. The one way bus ticket work, but next time, I'm gonna dummy up a travelocity itinerary to make it look a little more legit.

Some info for perpetual tourists:

1. There is no requirement to stay out 72 hours in Costa Rican law. My client who is seeking residency had to leave one last time so when to Bocas, stayed 1 hour, and returned. However, the immigration official then has all sorts of tricks such as requiring a return ticket out of Costa Rica, limiting your new visa, or maybe not letting you in at all.

2. If you are a perpetual tourist and want to avoid hassles at the border, don't wait until day 85 or 95 to leave. Go out at 30, 75 21 or 80 days, and most likely you will not be questioned so much.

3. If you overstay your visa, then the alternatives are to seek someone reliable to have it stamped for a fee, travel King's Quality to Nicaragua, or take your chances at the Sixoala crossing and pay a, "fine". One friend overstayed for 1 year, took the bus to Nicaragua, and no questions were asked.

Regarding travel to Columbia, Nicaragua, Panama et al...talk to people in CR who travel there frequently. Columbia was a mess in the 90's, but it's on it's way up, and Americans are loved. Granada is a destination of choice for many and I've heard nothing bad except no putas obvias...take a seasoned guide with you to Managua. Another friend spent 1 month backpacking and had nothing but fun, and he went everywhere.

1: I am certainly not an attorney in Costa Rica and there is a lot of debate as to whether there is a 72 hour requirement or not--some say no; some say only immigration has such a requirement; some say only customs; some say yes, there IS such a requirement!! It seems to be one of many cases where CR wants there to be ambiguity in the law so they can twist it to suit their desires at the moment. It is for sure that many have left for an hour and returned with no problems; others have had all kinds of problems trying to re-enter in less than 72 hours. Each individual officer at any border seems to be able to do what ever they happen to be in the mood to do. Because of bus schedules, I have always (20+ times) returned in about 65-68 hours and no one has ever said a thing. As cheap as hotels and restaurants are in Nicaragua or Panama I see no reason to risk any less time.

2:I kind of understand what you are saying but not at all sure it makes any difference. Every one of those 20+ trips I have made have been at 88 to 90 days and only one time have I even been asked for a return ticket out of the country. Have never had any problem with getting a 90 day visa, and have never been hazzled except for being over the $500 limit on things I was bring back from David (was not over and had all reciepts, but it was not worth arguing with them). OH, and that was on my first two trips out of the country, 5 years ago.

3: I agree with what you are saying about some "buying" their way out of trouble, BUT, why?? When one can travel to David or Granada for 3 days (and there are working chicas in both, and lower priced than SJ) for less than $200 total. For $200 and 3 days, why risk not being allowed back into the country????? Just does not make sense to me!! I know many do not like the idea of 8-9 hours on the bus but it is what you make it to be--I personally have almost always had fun on the bus (have meet several chicas).

4: As for travel to other countries--I had a condo in Colombia at what was suppose to be the height of the FARC--I never not once had a problem nor even felt any fear; and I traveled all over the country-have been in every major city. In my opinion, Granada and David are both much safer than SJ--have walked all over both at night and no problems. Now Managua is a different story, and Panama City, I understand has some bad area.

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

That's what I've been saying. As cheap as Nicaragua is, why cut it short? I generally end up extending my days and staying 4 or 5.

Bottom line, check your stamp after receiving same.

Here is what I posted in February:



This past trip was the usual 90 day stamp. I believe it is simply the luck of the draw relative to which Immigration agent you get and the number of days allowed is kinda sorta up to them....*shrug*

Oh....and this time coming back through Atlanta, the Border Control TWUNT....some Russian immigrant at that, had the temerity to ask me "What did you do while you were in Costa Rica, Mr. Steven1?" NEVER, EVER been asked that and didn't like it when it came. Response: "Looked for properties and good times". End of discussion....and onto baggage claim. Down in baggage claim was Snoopy the Dope Smelling Dog with yet another twunt "officer" catching every person as they exited the down escalator. Be advised.

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Here's an update on this subject:

Tourist Overstay Fine Not Yet Being Applied, December Is The Deadline
Inside Costa Rica

Leaving Costa Rica for foreigners who have overstayed their "tourist" visa period could be costly and be barred from returning to Costa Rica for a period of up to three times they overstay. Although that is the law, immigration officials have yet to enforce it, which could be anytime between now and December 13. Visitors from North America and Europe typically are given a stay of up to 90 days, while many other nationals are only given 30 days, when they must leave the country or their stay in Costa Rica becomes illegal and are subject to sanctions and expulsion.

Under the new immigration law that went into effect on March 1, 2010, tourists are required to pay a fine of us$100 for each month they over stay their visa period and must stay out of the country for a period of up three times their overstay before they are allowed to return. Immigration officials can easily check the passport and their database to see when a person entered the country by land or air and can also determine if a person is not permitted re-entry. The rules are usually stricter at the country's airports than at land border crossings.

However, the immigration service has yet to enforce this overstay rule and according to immigration officials tourists who have overstayed their visa period will not be required to pay. Not yet anyways, but will be required to do so when the law is expected to be enforced before the middle of December. Currently, Costa Rican authorities at the San José airport are checking the entry stamp at the security check point which occurs after paying the exit tax and given a boarding pass by the airline.

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

I may be mistaken, but this is not new "NEWS"! This same thing (verbatum I think) was published several months ago.

As for them checking the entry stamp, I do not believe I have ever NOT had my last entry stamp checked (normal proceedure). Other countries do the same thing. In fact, when returning on my last trip to Panama, the officer (Panamanian) kept looking at an old stamp ((6 months old) and told me I had a serious problem and needed to come inside the office. I showed him the correct stamp (4 days old) and he apologized. Only those who have over stayed their 90 days (in other words, those breaking the law) should have reason to be concerned.

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!