www.CostaRicaTicas.com

searched but didn't really find what i was looking for. can anyone tell me what a pack of smokes goes for in CR, and whether they're any good? Also, is it possible to buy bags of ice easily in the area? Possible at all?

Lastly, can anyone tell me what hours the duty free is open at the airport? round the clock? or not?

thanks

You can buy cigarettes by the carton duty free at the airport for $15.

Bags of ice are available at any supermercardo or mas x menos stores.

Duty free should be open when your flight arrives, but I cannot vouch for the later flights, maybe someone else can cover this.

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

Unfortunately smokes (name brand, Marlboro, Marlboro Lights, etc.) have gone up to $ 18 a carton at duty free as of my November trip.

Still a better deal than buying them at the bars, etc.

thanks. Are the local smokes any good, according to those of you who are smokers/ I'll bring a carton of my local brand, but I won't bring more if the local stuff is even passable.

As for my flight, I arrive at 9:30PM, but experience has taught me never to assume anything is open anywhere, at any time, no matter how reasonable it seems. always good to check first (especially when we're talking about duty free, since my smokes and liquor will rely on this. lol)

actually, I don't particularly care for american smokes, although I'm willing to go with marlboro lights in a pinch. are the local smokes any good?

I have friends who smoke Derby Suave, they say they can't tell the difference, I think the difference is minimal.

If I am correct, I believe those are $ 10 per carton or less. There is no need to bring smokes from home, even if the Duty Free is closed when you get in, any cab will take you to a Max x menos or Supermercado and you can get liquor, Ice and smokes there (A little higher but not too much more than duty free)

In my 5 trips this year, I have never arrived at SJO after 2 PM, maybe someone else has the info how late the Duty Free is open.

a pack of malboro light is 575 colones in mas x menos,they sell ice too............

I think I remember that the Duty Free store is open until 10:30 P.M.

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William Walker
8 May 1824 - 12 Sep 1860
Fusilado

I buy a carton of the Derby Extra Suave each trip. I pay $10 per carton at one of the airport shops. They're not bad. IMHO, I think they're stronger than Marlboro Lights.

Plus, every time I sit at a Tute table, I always have the waitress bring me a pack of Marlboro Lights with my Jack & Coke. What the hell....they're free at the tables!

Smoke 'em up !!!

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

Unless they have changed their hours the Duty Free shops in the departure area (upstairs) close at 10:00 PM. The shop in baggage claim (downstairs) closes at 11:00 PM.

Those were the "official" hours but I think the downstairs shop sometimes stays open later if a flight is late.

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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

i smoke malboro lights,
the ones for sale in costa rica, i believe, are made in heredia- you will notice that they tatse almost the same as the american product but are lighter to the lungs, i prefered them to the american ones

the duty free shops mainly carry marlboro lights made in europe , and they are heavy on the tar and stain your teeth very quickly,

look on the side of the pack to see where they were manufactured.

I actually have a tico who begs me to bring him Marlboro light from U.S. Claims to notice a diff. Cigs are dirt cheap in CR, like $1.25 per pack.
I like Kent, Derby. The Marlboro light is fine- I couldn;t tell a diff. Then again I'm mostly trashed when there. Sold everywhere.

I continue to be amazed at the pearls of information that can be found on this forum.

Pura Vida to all........and to all a Pura Vida

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Cigar smoking doesn’t reduce us, it elevates us; It makes us more content to be alone, or it helps us to enjoy our companions. It encourages us to dwell on the simple moments and celebrate the sublime.
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Hung like Einstein and smart as a mule.
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You're not drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on.

Is smoking permitted every ware? Or is like in the US where it’s getting almost imposable to smoke in a public place. I know I should quit. I am going to give it a good try when I get back. The money I would save could pay for an extra trip a year. But going thought withdrawal on vacation is not my idea of having fun.

I smoke Belmont Lights and pay 500 colones at Automercado or AM/PM.
When I buy by the carton, I go to Price Smart and pay 4800 colones for a carton.
With the exception of some American owned fast food chains, smoking is permitted most everywhere in Costa Rica. The locals don't frown at you like they do in the states. In other words, its socially acceptable.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.