Job Discussion Forums

[dclary]

has anyone ever successfully flown into Costa Rica on a one-way ticket? (and not had any proof of plans to leave the country within 90 days)

I have heard that you technically need proof of a return flight for them to even let you on the plane and into Costa Rica, but they say that about other countries I've worked in and it has never ended up being an issue for me before.

[oldirtyrestaurant]

I was a bit worried when I flew in too, but don�t bother. The guy at customs didn�t even look at me when stamping my passport. I hae heard from multiple other people that you don�t really need a return ticket, and even if someone were to hassle you, you could just say you are going to be travelling on to Nicaragua or Panama. Make sure to search this forum, you will come up with some good advice. Cheers.

[doreenp]

The last time i flew into Costa Rica the airlines would not let me on the plane without proof of on-going travel, not necessarily a return ticket. They (american airlines) claimed that they would be fined $1,000.00 if the CR customs did stop me and I did not have proof of leaving the country during or after the 90 day tourist visa would be up. So she told me i would not get on the plane without this ticket.

I bought a completely refundable ticket from San Jose to Panama for the next month and when i arrived in CR i went on line and cancelled it. No problems.

When i arrived in CR it�s true, no one asked me for proof of this departure, but they could have! It does seem like a waste of time and money and paperwork etc but there was no arguing with her. They do not take your word that you will purchase a bus ticket for further travels.

When i went to Panama by bus and returned i had to show proof of on going travel also. This was covered by buying a 5.00 bus ticket from cr to panama for the next week that was never used. However when crossing back into CR from Nicaragua, nothing was needed.

I might add though , usually touring around CR you get police stops and usually i just show a photocopy of my passport and this is no problem. Last month, traveling home from the Caribbean coast we were stopped and he wanted the passports opened and checked everyone�s completely including the date stamps! so you just never know when the one person who�s had a bad day might call you up and ask you for this proof.

happy traveling
d

[gringa05]

This is a tricky situation because, on the one hand, the chances of you actually getting questioned or stopped by customs for this in the San Jose airport are very slim...on the other hand, like doreenp's comment above, you could get stuck in a situation in which they won't let you travel.

I lived in Costa Rica for 3 years and traveled in and out of the country several times. When I flew, I never had a departure ticket upon entering CR, and not once was stopped or questioned. My plan was that I would say I was going to spend a few weeks in CR and then buy a bus ticket to go to Nicaragua (therefore making it impossible to purchase it prior to arriving). Maybe I was fortunate to never have been questioned about it - although of all the U.S. citizens I knew in CR, not one ever had a problem either. However, whenever I traveled by bus crossing either Nicaragua or Panama border, I always bought a departure ticket for $5 before I returned to CR...the border crossing guards are always more thorough and strict than the airport. And there's nothing worse than getting stuck at a border crossing.

So, my advice? The safest way is to go with a refundable or cheap departure ticket in hand...however I survived just fine without one at least 3 different occasions. I have heard that immigration is focusing more on this issue and becoming more strict now, so perhaps the risk isn't worth it anymore. The trouble with situations like these is that there is no real consistency in their enforcement of rules.

DO try to not overstay your 90 days, if you plan on being out and about traveling throughout the country. The police stop cars and buses frequently and check passports (often for your entrance date). If you stay in only San Jose after your 90 days are up and then leave CR, you will be fine.