Comments on: Welcome to Costa Rica http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/ The Blog for Travelers, Retirees, Expats and anyone who needs to know the REAL Costa Rica. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:00:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: mina http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-16331 mina Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:12:39 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-16331 I've been in Costa Rica 3 times, and really loved this country. But now it's over. Last month, we decided with my husband to go there for our honeymoon; as he is from a country which need a visa, he asked for one in the Consulate. When he received it, we buyed the tickets and go there. But the immigration officer in San Jose REFUSED his entry, saying the visa was "not valid" !!! It was crazy, they didn't want to discuss anything, and we had to take the flight back (to Europe, it's 10 hours) !!! Now I want the Consulate to pay my tickets back, but they say that Costa Rica can refuse who they want, without reason ! As my husband is coming from an African country with arabic language, Im asking, are they racists against his colour, or his language, or both ? I have an advocate to attack them, and will advise anyone in my country that they should go somewhere else, as this country sucks. I’ve been in Costa Rica 3 times, and really loved this country. But now it’s over.

Last month, we decided with my husband to go there for our honeymoon; as he is from a country which need a visa, he asked for one in the Consulate. When he received it, we buyed the tickets and go there.

But the immigration officer in San Jose REFUSED his entry, saying the visa was “not valid” !!! It was crazy, they didn’t want to discuss anything, and we had to take the flight back (to Europe, it’s 10 hours) !!!

Now I want the Consulate to pay my tickets back, but they say that Costa Rica can refuse who they want, without reason !

As my husband is coming from an African country with arabic language, Im asking, are they racists against his colour, or his language, or both ?

I have an advocate to attack them, and will advise anyone in my country that they should go somewhere else, as this country sucks.

]]> By: Tim http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-12576 Tim Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:39:06 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-12576 I think you are foolish to take the chance. I also think you waited too long to ask the question if you are coming next week. I'd check out getting a new passport before you leave. I think you are foolish to take the chance. I also think you waited too long to ask the question if you are coming next week.

I’d check out getting a new passport before you leave.

]]> By: Erica http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-12573 Erica Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:26:16 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-12573 I have a fairly new passport, which was issued in 2002. I managed to wash it once after my trip to England in 2003. I have trips on my passport from 2003 and 2005, in England and to the continent through the channel tunnel. Would that be a huge issue? Will they give me grief about my passport? Everything is readable and my picture is printed on the passport along with the clear date of issue and expiration date (2012). My hair is orange in the picture but my brown root are showing. It is 5 years old from when I was 23. The water marks, to show I am a US citizen, are all very clear. It is pealing somewhat from its cover, crinkly, and has a little ink bleeding but all written stuff is legible and the stamps are legible too. So what do people think? Is this a problem? I'm supposed to fly out January 3rd. I have a fairly new passport, which was issued in 2002. I managed to wash it once after my trip to England in 2003. I have trips on my passport from 2003 and 2005, in England and to the continent through the channel tunnel.

Would that be a huge issue? Will they give me grief about my passport? Everything is readable and my picture is printed on the passport along with the clear date of issue and expiration date (2012). My hair is orange in the picture but my brown root are showing. It is 5 years old from when I was 23. The water marks, to show I am a US citizen, are all very clear. It is pealing somewhat from its cover, crinkly, and has a little ink bleeding but all written stuff is legible and the stamps are legible too.

So what do people think? Is this a problem? I’m supposed to fly out January 3rd.

]]> By: gringojoel http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-12555 gringojoel Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:16:14 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-12555 I had the same problem but it was my fault. My passport had been in the ocean and the plastic was peeling off. It appeared as if someone had replaced the picture and glued it back down. Costa Rica has a policy of reviewing passports for things like this. Probably because criminals from the USA seem to like Costa Rica as a place to hide. It isn't any big deal however. I applied for a new passport and it was in my hands in two weeks. I had the same problem but it was my fault. My passport had been in the ocean and the plastic was peeling off. It appeared as if someone had replaced the picture and glued it back down.
Costa Rica has a policy of reviewing passports for things like this. Probably because criminals from the USA seem to like Costa Rica as a place to hide.
It isn’t any big deal however. I applied for a new passport and it was in my hands in two weeks.

]]> By: Bill http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-11750 Bill Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:20:52 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-11750 About four years ago I made my first and last trip to CR. My experience with customs was not as extreme.I presented my passport and customs declaration to the agent and was told in a rude manner that may declaration should be in ink not in pencil and get to the back of the line and correct it.I left the line,traced the pencil with ink and went to another line.I noticed the rude lady agent was being very courteous and helpful to people of African descent.Possibly my Irishness offended her. About four years ago I made my first and last trip to CR. My experience with customs was not as extreme.I presented my passport and customs declaration to the agent and was told in a rude manner that may declaration should be in ink not in pencil and get to the back of the line and correct it.I left the line,traced the pencil with ink and went to another line.I noticed the rude lady agent was being very courteous and helpful to people of African descent.Possibly my Irishness offended her.

]]> By: Terry http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-11699 Terry Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:40:34 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-11699 MARIANNE, I WOULD LOVE LOVE LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, THE ABOVE STORY IS THE ONE OF MY DAUGHTER AND I. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME @ 7-15@adelphia.net THANKS SOOO SOO MUCH TERRY BRANDWEIN MARIANNE,
I WOULD LOVE LOVE LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, THE ABOVE STORY IS THE ONE OF MY DAUGHTER AND I. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME @ 7-15@adelphia.net

THANKS SOOO SOO MUCH

TERRY BRANDWEIN

]]> By: Marianne http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-11698 Marianne Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:18:03 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-11698 To anyone who reads this: I have just had my ticket re-issued through American Airlines. This is something they did out of the goodness of their hearts as I have learned that all procedures they followed were by the law (this according to the Department of Transportation). Aside from saying I can't thank American enough I have to warn everyone about the immigration practices of Costa Rica. Upon my return to the States American once again said my passport was fine (they are only required to check for identification purposes only). However US customs felt my passport was fine also. I will be following my issues up with the Costa Rican govenment but, after living there for a year, know this will probably get me nowhere. I will return to see my fiancee but after this trip we will meet elsewhere and he has put in for a transfer so he can leave Costa Rica. Dealing with the government agencies in CR was always difficult, and this was the final blow for both of us. I echo the statements above that for a country that relies on tourism it's subsequent treatment of guests is poorly thought out. I thank American Airlines for going the extra mile for me so we are not out 7oo dollars and so that my fiance and I can see each other (I am getting a new passport tomorrow even though mine doesn't expire for over a year). Also, be forewarned everybody: I have been told by the DOT that when a traveler is neither admited into a country but on the ground in that country we are considered 'in limbo' ie: no rights to even call an embassy! I'm sick over that and have already contacted my Senator and Congressman to find out more about this as it's a scary thing. I wish all fellow travelers lots of luck. To anyone who reads this: I have just had my ticket re-issued through American Airlines. This is something they did out of the goodness of their hearts as I have learned that all procedures they followed were by the law (this according to the Department of Transportation). Aside from saying I can’t thank American enough I have to warn everyone about the immigration practices of Costa Rica. Upon my return to the States American once again said my passport was fine (they are only required to check for identification purposes only). However US customs felt my passport was fine also. I will be following my issues up with the Costa Rican govenment but, after living there for a year, know this will probably get me nowhere. I will return to see my fiancee but after this trip we will meet elsewhere and he has put in for a transfer so he can leave Costa Rica. Dealing with the government agencies in CR was always difficult, and this was the final blow for both of us. I echo the statements above that for a country that relies on tourism it’s subsequent treatment of guests is poorly thought out. I thank American Airlines for going the extra mile for me so we are not out 7oo dollars and so that my fiance and I can see each other (I am getting a new passport tomorrow even though mine doesn’t expire for over a year). Also, be forewarned everybody: I have been told by the DOT that when a traveler is neither admited into a country but on the ground in that country we are considered ‘in limbo’ ie: no rights to even call an embassy! I’m sick over that and have already contacted my Senator and Congressman to find out more about this as it’s a scary thing. I wish all fellow travelers lots of luck.

]]> By: Marianne http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-11694 Marianne Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:52:34 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-11694 Help! The same thing just happened to me yesterday! 6/24/2007. I flew with American and was treated EXACTLY the same way only I was not even allowed to leave the gate area without and escort from American. (I was crying but not mean or rude or threatening in any way)I was NOT permited to even call the embassy or see my fiancee who was waiting there to pick me up. I was forced to get back on the plane and then stranded in Miami when the connecting flight had already left. American is refusing to issue me a ticket or refund! I have called and written and am in the midst of drafting a letter to anyone who will listen but how do I go about getting my ticket ? PLEASE PLEASE help by offering me advice or telling me how to go about this. By the way, my passport which was also looked at numerous times during my flights was fine. I just returned from Italy and through all customs it was fine. I also had backup documentation. Help! The same thing just happened to me yesterday! 6/24/2007. I flew with American and was treated EXACTLY the same way only I was not even allowed to leave the gate area without and escort from American. (I was crying but not mean or rude or threatening in any way)I was NOT permited to even call the embassy or see my fiancee who was waiting there to pick me up. I was forced to get back on the plane and then stranded in Miami when the connecting flight had already left. American is refusing to issue me a ticket or refund! I have called and written and am in the midst of drafting a letter to anyone who will listen but how do I go about getting my ticket ? PLEASE PLEASE help by offering me advice or telling me how to go about this. By the way, my passport which was also looked at numerous times during my flights was fine. I just returned from Italy and through all customs it was fine. I also had backup documentation.

]]> By: Bill http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-11628 Bill Thu, 17 May 2007 13:44:44 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-11628 Hello, I had a near story to tell to like this, in Houston the agent at Continental told me I was unable to board the flight out of Hoiuston. Because my passport has been in the ocean and washed a few times. The plastic laminate that holds the picture in was seperating and you could touch the picture. I said, I have to leave my hotel is in C.R. When arriving in C.R. no problems at all. I have since gone to the Embassy and obtained a new passport. Looks like i'm a new traveler now. Hello,

I had a near story to tell to like this, in Houston the agent at Continental told me I was unable to board the flight out of Hoiuston. Because my passport has been in the ocean and washed a few times. The plastic laminate that holds the picture in was seperating and you could touch the picture. I said, I have to leave my hotel is in C.R. When arriving in C.R. no problems at all. I have since gone to the Embassy and obtained a new passport. Looks like i’m a new traveler now.

]]> By: Dylan http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/comment-page-1/#comment-11596 Dylan Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:22:55 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2007/04/19/welcome-to-costa-rica/#comment-11596 Tim, Thanks soooo much for sharing my mom and my story with people who plan to travel to Costa Rica. I think it is important for people to know what can happen. I am soo happy that we were lucky enough to get a new passport and return to the wonderful country of Costa Rica. My mom and I had such a good time once we got back. Thanks soooo much for all of your help. Dylan Tim,
Thanks soooo much for sharing my mom and my story with people who plan to travel to Costa Rica. I think it is important for people to know what can happen. I am soo happy that we were lucky enough to get a new passport and return to the wonderful country of Costa Rica. My mom and I had such a good time once we got back. Thanks soooo much for all of your help.

Dylan

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