www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Not gonna argue the fact that anything can happen at anytime. However, I've been hearing for 11 years that the perpetual tourist is in trouble. Nothing has happened yet. If they do decide to make a change, it might just be the fates telling me it is time to move on. Making some changes so that all I need to pay the bills is a laptop. So, Colombia, Nicaragua or other horizons might be calling..

Thirdworld, You have made the first post on this tread that makes sense. Travel light

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DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO

Are you a criminal?

Agree with everything, but they have no reason to refuse you entry just based on having multiple entry stamps. Out of 100 entries, I've been asked one time how long I'm staying and I said 3 months and they stamped my passport. Every other time has been just automatic. The actual officials at the airport are just going through the motions, they don't care one way or the other, unlike US immigration who can and will grill you if they feel like it.

yes--twice --35 years ago. You want details? See me in CR but I'll say this --2 felonies and zero jail time for them. Go figure.

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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

Tico Times today has an article "Costa Rican authorities start checking for departing visitors reentry stamps" I don't want to copy the article and I don't know how to post a link so would someone please post it for everyone to see.

what did you get nailed for, plagarism

Here's Brother VB's mention: http://www.ticotimes.net/News/Daily-New ... er-28-2010

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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

Here it is:

Costa Rican Authorities Start Checking for Departing Visitors’ Entry Stamps
Posted: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - By Chrissie Long

Immigration authorities have begun checking the entry stamps in tourists’ passports at the country’s international airports to ensure that they have not overstayed their visas. Under the new Immigration Law, tourists are required to pay $100 for every month they stay beyond their 90-day limit. If they fail to pay, they must stay out of the country for a period of three times the time for which they were in Costa Rica illegally.

However, according to Immigration Department spokeswoman Heidi Bonilla, tourists who have overstayed their visa won’t be required to pay a fine until the Immigration Law takes full effect, which could be anytime between now and Dec. 13. “The truth is that authorities are not yet applying the fine,” she said. Although the law went into effect on March 1, immigration officials have dragged their feet in drafting the law’s regulations, which are the rules that will interpret the law and govern how it will be administered. Bonilla said that Dec. 13 is the deadline for the regulations to be published. According to one traveler, the point where authorities review the entry stamp is right before the security check for travelers, after tourists have already paid their exit fee and checked in with their respective airlines.

Here's the link:
http://www.ticotimes.net/News/Daily-New ... er-28-2010

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

Thanks

I know that is what the Tico Times article says but I have never seen that interpretation previously. Most other articles state that you are fined a $100.00 for every month or part of a month that you overstayed your tourist visa and are barred from reentry for 3 times the amount of time you overstayed your visa. There is also suppose to be a provision that before your tourist visa expires you can apply for an extension. The fee for that is also a $100.00 which might be a possible cause for the confusion.

Until the regulations are promulgated and published it all conjecture.

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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

Conflicting articles and opinions......................here in Costa Rica.............NAH............. not possible

SRILM.

That is the exit tax, not to be confused with the exit stamp at the immigration window, after ticketing but prior to boarding. Whole thing is as usual confusing.

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BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

I'm pretty much confused now.. When I left in Aug, I had paid my exit tax earlier in Tamarindo at BCR. They gave me the exit tax paid form.

Since this was my 1st time to SJO I did not know exiting procedure. I was flying Delta Business class back home and checked in using the Quick 1st class checkin line. No one ever asked for my exit Tax form from checkin to boarding. I was sitting comfortably in my seat when they boarded the plane looking for me ,asking if I had paid my tax. I gave them the form and they said Thank you. My passport was never stamped saying I exited..

1)where should I have shown this?
2)was my passport supposed to be stamped?

Thanks

From my experience on United* (when they flew to SJO) and now on Continental, there are two check points:

1. The guard who stands in front of the access to the counters and blocks entrance until they have reviewed the data on your exit tax paper;

2. The counter check-in system.

Even if I “check-in on line” I have to see the counter attendant because the check-in is not complete until you show your passport to airline personnel. Along with the passport you have to show your exit tax.

Physically showing ID to an authorized airline representative is an FAA requirement. FAA has jurisdiction because the flight is going to the US.

How you were able to avoid that process is an exception to the rule. It is interesting to note they have an audit system to catch errors like that.

*I guess as of today United is once again flying to SJO.