In the past year I have heard over and over and confirmed by emails and entry stamps how Costa Rica’s immigration service is cutting short the visit of many U.S. citizens, allowing them a “visitor” stay of only 10 or 15 days instead of the customary 90.
Many of them have been visiting Costa Rica on and off for years.
What was even more disturbing, U.S. citizens are being asked to produce their return ticket out of the country. Americans do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. However, they, like all other visitors must have a current valid passport and a return ticket out of Costa Rica. (Either to return to your country or to go to another country).
Entering Costa Rica or any other country for that matter on a one way ticket is not generally accepted. Airlines are required to ensure that the traveller has a return ticket out (most airlines will not accept a bus ticket), demand that you produce and airline ticket, many will not sell you a one way ticket or allow you to board a flight into Costa Rica unless you can prove residency in country.
On several occasions I have received emails from readers (U.S. citizens) who say they were asked to “produce their return ticket out of Costa Rica”. I also found on several boards/forums for Americans travelling to Costa Rica, advising them to have their return “eticket” printed out for handy reference, or spend time with an airline representative to print it out at the airport.
However, that does not seem to be the case with Europeans and Canadians, for example.
I consulted with several Europeans and Canadians who recently arrived in Costa Rica and they tell me of no problems at the immigration counter in San José.
The consulted were men arriving in Costa Rica alone. No third degree, they say. Nor where they asked to produce a return ticket. They got the customary questions of how long will you be in the country, the purpose of their trip, where they will be staying, etc.
Not one reported getting short of the customary 90 days visitor stay.
Not being an American I do not have first hand experience of the problems I am hearing more and more often.
I welcome your comments on this subject.
I’m currently staying in Costa Rica for the first of two 90 day cycles. I’ll be leaving for Nicaragua in September for a few days and coming back to renew the 90 day stamp then headed home in November. My experience thus far, has been really easy. I did have to produce my Ticabus ticket in the states… three times. When I arrived in Costa Rica, I wasn’t asked a single question. I handed my passport over, was given a 90 day stamp and ushered onward.
In my travels, I have encountered many American expats who have had a very different experience the past few months. It’s standard practice among expats living here to leave the country every 90 days rather than apply for a visa. I’ve met some who have done this off and on for over a decade. They tell me recently crossing the border has become more difficult, more questions and periodically less time allowed in the country. They joke among each other that receiving a 30 or 90 day visa is entirely dependent upon luck and the mood of the immigration officer.
I assume Costa Rican Immigration feels making “visa runs” is an abuse of the tourist visa and some are half-heartedly attempting to stop it. Unfortunately, the way it is being done only comes across as mildly annoying when crossing the border with an American passport since it’s not too difficult or expensive to cross again from Nicaragua.
This trip being my first stamp into Costa Rica probably explains why I got in without harassment. The possibly anti-american measures seem targeted at those who have several years worth of 90 day stamps; and for better or worse, doesn’t appear to be stopping travel.
I do not believe it is so much anti-American as a question of jobs. The typical 90 +day tourist eats up the jobs that, for Costa Ricans, pay well. Especialy sports books and call centers. For North Americans $5 to $8 per hour is nothing back home. But to surf, swim, drink and live the good life….it is enough here.
Other issue revolve around drugs and some or perhaps many of the 90 day wonders are either in that business full time or part time as in Jaco and Tamarindo.
Coming to the U.S.,, don’t dare come in without a one-way ticket out and this is true of most countries.
However, in CR there is the mix of xenephobia and “come on down” and buy a casita, open a little business on the beach, no need for a shirt, etc.But it does Not economically help the nation and that is what is important. Just look up north and the U.S,immigration hate based for Latinos.
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What happened to the plan to allow you to pay $100 online to renew your papers? That started over a year ago.
I thought that the $100 deal was to extend a short visa to the maximum 90-day limit. The incidence of short visas doesn’t usually affect US stat doesn’t come up with “Americans”, but apparently is coming up now. I’m curious as to whether this is happening only to people with histories of “perpetual tourism”, to stoner types, young travelers, or any other demographic. Also, is this happening only at certain points of entry (or by certain Migracion agents), and what is the apparent incidence? Since passport control is now automated, is there a database that can shed light on this situation? If there is institutional xenophobia by the government, it should be exposed.