Border run requirements

[Nancy Burgess]

This just posted by Panama Immigration

No 72 hours out of the country required. It never was required since February 22, 2008. Law number 3

“Conforme a lo que nos faculta el decreto ley número 3 del 22 de febrero de 2008; todo extranjero que ingrese al país en condición de turista debe presentar en ventanilla su pasaporte o documento de viaje vigente. No tener impedimento de entrada, contar con solvencia económica no inferior a los 500 dólares para su sustento según el término de estadía en el país”, agregó Cortés.

Además los turistas extranjeros deben contar con su boleto de regreso, válido hacia su país de origen.

[Jim Tosch]

When I discuss inconsistent law enforcement with my Panamanian wife she shrugs her shoulders and says "si quiere molestar, va a molestar". In other words, if they want to screw with you, they're going to screw with you and there's not much you can do.

[Nancy Burgess]

Si, es verdad.

[Jim Tosch]

Great idea but do you still have to spend the night?

[Jim Tosch]

Theories suggest that while the Guatemalans, Hondurans and Salvadorans are heading North workers from Nicaragua are heading South looking for work. These regs are supposedly to keep them out. Maybe they're less of a problem mid week along with the tourist busses. Good idea. Thanks.

[Nancy Burgess]

You are very welcome.

[Nancy Burgess]

Nope. You do not. That is the best part really. Many folks have followed our recommendations and have made the border run in 2 hours or less as long as you go Tues, Wed, or Thurs. between 9am and 1pm.

They seem to be in a better mood during those times.

[Dennis Nutting]

Well if as you say it works every time as you point out above then it really shouldn't matter when you go to the border. 

Regulations for entry into Panama haven't changed but the enforcement is different when crossing at Costa Rico for some reason. There is a requirement to show ongoing travel out of Panama, but not necessarily to your country of origen -- however from the stories now only returning to your country of origin is considered acceptable. 

[Nancy Burgess]

Mondays and Fridays are heavy traffic days and it will take much longer but the process is the same.

The $7 fee to exit Costa Rica is payable at the bank only and the bank kiosk is only available Mon-Fri. 9am to 2pm.

This forces you to stay in a hotel.

[William Hill]

I must amend Nancy's statement "The $7 fee to exit Costa Rica is payable at the bank only"  there is a kiosk in the adudana office in the same building as the bank on the other side of the perpetually closed handicapped toilets that scans the passport, and accepts Visa or Mastercard, and that office is open when immigration is open

[Jorge Becerra]

I have never been able to use the kiosk, unable to scan the Pasport, the better option is the Attorney's office across from Tracopa