General Costa Rica travel question

[lacounte]

This question is not specific to CR but would apply throughout the western hemisphere, minus Brazil. I am going to retire next spring and intend on traveling estensively in Latin America. While we as U.S. citizens are fortunate to be able to travel w/o obtaining a visa in advance I believe that most countries do require proof of intent to leave in the form of a ticket out of the country. As an example, I would fly into CR on a one-way ticket. I have no intention of overstaying the limits of my visa but neither would I like to designate an exact day when I would leave. I would hope to travel around the country, stopping and going on a whim. AND on a whim continue on to Panama, by bus, boat or plane, doing the same thing there until I go on to Colombia, etc. The obvious problem is that upon entry to any one country I have no exit ticket. Am I likely to be denied a visa to enter at this point? Surely many people must do this and so there must be a solution – hopefully a simple one. Can some more experienced travelor show me how this is done? Thank you.

[makohan]

I believe a common practice is to purchase a cheap bus ticket to Panama or Nicaragua to show as your means of ‘exit’. Then, you would not have much to lose if you later decide to change the date or means of travel. It allows you that flexibility without spending an arm and a leg on a return plane ticket. Or, you could just be sure your return ticket is flexible, one that can be easily exchanged or refunded if you decide to change your itinerary.

[wmaes47]

After many trips into Costa Rica over the last few years, I have never been asked for my outbound ticket of any kind, nor have the transit police asked.

Possibly the airline in the States are mandated to have you on a booked flight.

Bill Maes

[colinsito]

I have been asked when re-entering from Panama at Sixola. I just pull up my old intinerary in my email and change the dates so it reflects a future date I will supposedly be leaving and print it off. No one has ever questioned it.

[lacounte]

Thanks for your responses. Everywhere I ask this question I get similar responses. Perhaps the “return ticket” is more an airline sales gimmick than a legitimate immigration control policy.

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