www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I know this doesn't have anything to do with the topic of this board, but maybe somebody knows the answer and can tell me.

On my recent trip to Costa Rica, there was a Frenchman in my row and he was telling this girl next to me that he had to fly from Paris to Atlanta to catch a flight to Costa Rica. I think he said he will be traveling 18 hours. On my return trip, I sat next to a girl from Canada who had to stop in Atlanta. Both flights were on Delta. Of course neither the Frenchman or the Canadian would have problems stopping in the USA on their way to another location, but what about Costa Ricans?

This got me to thinking about how somebody from Costa Rica would travel through the USA to another destination. If a Costa Rican wanted to fly to Paris, does that person have to get a Visa to enter the USA only if they are catching a flight to France? Everybody has to go through immigration once they arrived in Atlanta and if somebody really wanted, they could book a flight to France and then bolt when they got to Atlanta as a way of sneaking into the USA.

I was thinking further, what about taking a cruise? Say a Costa Rican wanted to take a cruise of the Caribbean, or any place that a cruise ship from the USA would go, would they have to get a visa to fly to say Miami to take a cruise around the Caribbean? Even if they would be returning home from another country in the Caribbean?

I think it would really be burdensome for a traveling Costa Rican to apply for a Visa and wait until it's approved before they take a trip that is passing through the USA. Say a Costa Rican's relative died in Europe and they wanted to rush over there, but the only flights were through the USA, that would be harsh to make them get a visa and convince the INS that they are just passing through and not going to stop.

I went to Expedia and type up a round trip from SJO to CDG and most of the options stopped in the USA, there was one that stopped in Mexico, two that stopped in Venezuela, and one that stopped in Panama City, Panama. That means out of all the options, the Costa Rican had to pick one of those 4 to avoid the USA. I still don't know what they would do it if they were taking a cruise.

Does anybody know how it works for citizens of Central and South America that want to travel on flights that stop in the USA. And speaking of cruises, I didn't see many cruises for Central and South Americans. I know there are a lot of destinations in Latin America for cruise ships, but there doesn't seem to be that many for Central and South Americans to use to travel around their own continents or one that stops in the USA on it's way to Europe.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

P.S. I wonder if any of the HDR girls would love to work a cruise ship if they got on one. Hahaha

Dont need to read your post to answer your question, it is simple. Without visa no travel to US and that means 'in transit' also.

The "Transit Without Visa" program was another victim of the 911 paranoia.

Took away two good flight choices from Miami to San Jose using Martinair or Iberia. Both were good flights and usually cheaper then anyone else.

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

Yup - I know I feel lots safer

From the website - this action happened back in 2003

U.S. Suspends Visa Transit Program
Action dedicated to improving national security

The U.S. government announced August 2 that international air passengers would no longer be able to transit through the United States without obtaining a visa. In a press release, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security said the action has been taken as a response to recent intelligence information finding that terrorists might exploit two current traveler-convenience programs to gain entry to the country by circumventing the visa process.

The Transit without Visa Program (TWOV) and the International-to-International (ITI) transit program allowed passengers to change flights at U.S. airports in order to reach a destination in another country. The U.S. government announcement said that the programs will be reinstated when the security measures are developed to prevent abuse of the privilege by those who would do harm to the United States, its citizens and international travelers.

This policy change does not affect citizens of visa waiver countries. They may still enter or transit the United States without a visa. Information on the visa waiver program is available at http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html

The new policy became effective August 2, but certain exceptions are being granted for travelers who are in the midst of their itinerary during this transition period.

The State Department has published answers to frequently asked questions about this policy change. They are available at http://travel.state.gov/twov.faq.html

Also - its not easy for many Costa Ricans - especially the "ladies" some have wished to bring to the USA for a visit; often a criminal record is revealed; bottom line is its tough for many to come up for a visit - just sayin'

Very difficult for many Ticos I've talked with who have tried, even solid ones with good incomes, residences, families, reputable sponsors, with every reason to return to CR. Horror stories about our embassy staff's treatment. Still, some get 6 mos visas good for multi years. Anybody know the trick?

I've had three experiences at the Embassy (in Pavas), although it was about 10 years ago. One time the phuckers 'confiscated' my passport for about half an hour. One time we stood in line for about three hours, in the hot sun. Maybe you can make appointments now, I don't know. I've always heard that sometimes it just depends on which line you get in (which person you get to see), on whether they approve the visa or not.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Another example of brilliance by the great US government. Make em hate us worldwide, yes?

I know a number of Ticos, mostly professionals, who travel to the USA regularly. One attorney who drives a fancy BMW around San Jose travels to Miami for 2-3 days whenever he needs parts b/c they are not available in CR.

Mighty good info. Thanks for sharing.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has cruises that depart from Colon, Panama and do NOT stop in the USA.
They stop in Cartagena and the ABC islands. These cruises only go from about November to March.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacrui ... S069&date=

A few years ago I meet a girl from heredia In costa rica on latincupid, she is half paraguay ,we chatted on webcam for like 6 months she worked in an office at the front desk so had a lot of time . a few months when I went to san jose to monger I meet her on her lunch break . She looked like shit and was immature ,we never spoke again.

but during one of our conversations she asked me how to get a visa to come here I sent her a link i found on google was a government link dont remember any details... well about 1 yr later she sent me a message said she was in NEw Jersey cleaning houses she was 20 minutes from me! I asked her how did she get here? she said she applied from the link I sent and they approved her? Its hard to believe since these internet latinas are known to lie . But she introduced me to a girl who became My girlfriend for a year and still remains a friend . SO if she is telling the truth its possible for a single working woman to come here .SHe did have money in the bank she made like $800 a month its a fortune there . She over stayed her visa now is illegal ! yes another one ...

Another story my x-worker was illegal, before I started being a patriot and hired illegals .. He came here with the A costa rica basketball team .. they had a coach and applied to come and play for 2 weeks .. when they got here they all split up in the airport and the coach scammer went back to CR .He had photos and papers of them it was pretty funny . Its no wonder why america requires so much paper work and are so hard and rude to everyone applying . Just my humble opinion

My Grandfather had a Hatian neighbor who said the Federal Government gave him the downpayment on his house and if he kept up the payments for five years they would pay off his house. This is no lie, he planted sugar cane in his yard along with coconut trees, bananas or plantains, avocados and citrus trees. In other words he farmed his urban farm. He hardly had what one would call a yard.

whew and I thought I was off topic haha

They must obtain a transit visa. The cost is 141.00 and they must meet the same requirements that they would need to get a b2 tourist visa. If they want to go to Europe they must fly around the USA. Iberia airlines offered some good flights but now that they have been purchased who knows.