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One Way Airline Tickets to Costa Rica
December 10th, 2009
I was preparing another of those “My Readers Write” posts that I do every so often, and this topic came up… again. Maybe it is time to give it its own space as apparently it is not clear to some people.
The question is always something like this: “I have heard I cannot fly to Costs Rica using a one-way ticket.”
My answer is, as always, “No, you can NOT unless you are a citizen of Costa Rica or have in your possession a valid and current residency ID card (cedula) proving that you live here. If you try, you will almost assuredly not be permitted to board the plane. If you do make it on board, you may well get caught at THIS end by immigration. Airlines are required to verify that any person attempting to fly and using a one way ticket is, in fact, a legal resident of Costa Rica. Most airlines (read that as all) try to follow the procedure religiously as they are faced not only with large potential fines, but also for paying for the return flight for the passenger when he is refused entry in Costa Rica.
Now please, before you start composing your comment telling me that you, your friend, your friend’s girlfriend and her auntie, etc flew here on a one-way ticket with no issue, please remember my “job” on this blog and in the RCR Web Site is to deal with facts, not luck or urban legend.
Read on if you wish!
First? What is the big deal? Why require a round trip ticket for non residents?
Simple! Like most countries, including the USA, (and actually many grandparents entertaining their grandkids), Costa Rica wants you to come and visit… and then go home.
In my various companies and in the various work I do, I come in constant contact with folks wanting to move here, moving here, returning here, etc. as well as numerous tourists. I see this refusal thing at least once per month! Further, I see a lot of folks refused entry who do not have at least six months remaining on their passports before it expires.
The most recent example was last week when two friends (ages 75+), flying US Air, were refused passage at the Phoenix airport. They were required to buy return tickets (at the last minute attractive price of $1,100.00) in order to continue their flight. They were told they could easily get a refund in Costa Rica losing only $50.00 cancellation fee for each ticket. As a side, that did not go well. US Air apparently is only open in downtown San Jose one day per week, and cancellations cannot be made at the San Jose airport. Oh well. They actually knew this, but forgot in the rush of moving and packing and all the last minute crappola involved in relocating to Costa Rica.
Anyway, while you might get lucky and NOT get stopped, the inconvenience, possibility of missing your flight/connections, maybe not having big $$$ for that last minute return flight, not to mention trying to get your money back… well it is just not worth the risk.
Before you fly here:
1. Make SURE you have a least six months remaining before your passport expires. they may let it pass with only ninety days, but I do not recommend taking the chance.
and
2. If trying to use a one way ticket, remember that you must prove that you are a legal resident or citizen of Costa Rica. That does NOT mean that you have applied for or are in process of obtaining residency. It means you have that ID card in your grubby little hand!
OK~ Now you have been warned. Any questions?
Filed under Costa Rica, Costa Rica Residency, Costa Rica Tourism, Expatriate Life, Immigration & Residency, Moving to Costa Rica, Questions from Readers, Tourism, Travel, Travel to Costa Rica | Comments (13)13 Responses to “One Way Airline Tickets to Costa Rica”
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What about buddy passes? My step-mom works for Jet Blue so I can fly free on stand-by. We can also get buddy passes for my wife and kids at $50/one-way. But since we’re on stand-by, we don’t really have “tickets”, but we list for a flight, and if there are empty seats at boarding time, they let us on. We’ve flown around the US like this, but not yet to Costa Rica. But this is how we plan to get there this January. As long as we show that we have some extra buddy passes for a return trip when we’re ready, will that be good enough to appease the officials? I suppose we could list for a return flight as well, and then just change the dates later. What do you think?
JetBlue does not check and does not care. We have flown one way many times and we do not yet have our residencia yet.
Can this only be done with a round-trip airline ticket, or with any ticket out of the country? That is, can I buy a ticket from CR to… Panama… ahead of time, and then book a one-way flight from the US to CR, bus ticket in hand?
The author of this article is right! And we are some of the folks who have had to purchase return tickets.
Brandon, you stand the chance of having to purchase return tickets for your whole family which could result in a whole pile of cash.
The Airlines will accept a bus ticket out of Costa Rica leaving within 90 days (for U.S.Citizens)
I have never in about 100 flights into Costa Rica been ask by Costa Rican Immigration for a proof of a return ticket.
The Airlines do take the return ticket seriously
Great blog, this is very true. I know people who live here without residency and they complain about having to get a return ticket. I always get one. If you take the bus into the country from Panama or Nicaragua you don’t have to have a return though.
Hi Tim,
After having to buy a return airline ticket one time we discovered that a open ended bus ticket (our was to Managua) was perfect. We got it through TicaBus and was enough to satisfy the airlines that we had the means to get out of the country. No where is it a requirement to fly out and this cheap bus ticket allowed us to travel back to Costa Rica many times without a residency card.
Not all airlines are stringent with this rule, so you may get through without it, but for about $10 bucks it was our own ‘travel insurance’.
I’ve been coming back and forth for 3 years. While I always buy a round trip ticket, the fact that I work in Costa Rica means i buy it SJO – USA USA – SJO meaning I arrive hear without a ticket showing that I will be leaving again. I admit I get nervous at the immigration line, but I have only been asked once in Costa Rica to provide a return ticket, and once by Us Airlines in Charlotte to show them the return ticket before leaving. I usually doctor an old flight receipt to make myself feel better, but would avoid showing it unless desperate. I dont recommend my method and agree with the author, but i’m not organized enough to prepare my flights 6 months in advance, so alas, im in the process of applying for residency!
I’m concerned about the 6 months left on a passport. 2 of my 3 kids will not quite have 6 months left. I would hate to pay for a new passport, because who knows when their next international trip will be. As it is, their last one was almost 5 years ago.
I don’t really understand why it won’t work with 4 months left on it. What’s the point of an expiration date if it doesn’t mean anything?
This is your call, but for me, I would not take the chance. I know it is expensive, but the alternative is a LOT more.
I am so glad I stumbled upon this information. My husband and I were about to purchase a 1 way ticket to San Jose since we were not sure where we wanted to go after our time in Costa Rica. Now we will make sure to purchase a return ticket.
My husband and I plan on coming CR next year but are not sure when we want to return to the US. We have a vacation home here, owned in the name of a corporation. Any suggestions? Can you just purchase an open-ended ticket?
Probably not… and as far as I know, airlines don’t even sell them any more, though I could be wrong.
Costa Rica does not want you here more than 90 days unless you are a legal resident.