I checked the archive for something more current than last year, but found no other reports. A friend said she crossed back into Panama at Rio Serreno and found it to be a little more complex than it was the last time.
Just wondering if there are others who can add to this. They are also saying that the Crisol de Raza is now a thing of the past with the new president.
Replies
The best advise is to be prepared and have everything they could possibly want to enter Panama. $500 cash or current bank statement showing you have that much or more in the bank, or credit cared statements showing your credit limit and balance. Also airfare to country of origin (your passport country). They may or may not require you to overnight in Costa Rica.
We just went in January and they didn't ask for anything at all other than our passports. The guy at the window turned to the Jefe and said "they just stamped out today" and the Jefe said to let us in. So you never know.
Just an interesting note for the Paso Canoas crossing. Last week, we made our jump back and forth in the same day. I spoke to two separate Panama entry window guys and a jefe, because I was curious if their stories would match up. I was told by all but the last guy that you have to remain out of Panama for 6 hours. They asked me to return at 7pm. We returned at 530pm to test the new shift. No problem, stamped and back to beautiful Boquete. This was the first time I've had them give me a definitive number of hours out of country, but then again, the "rules" may change day to day!
1.return airfare to passport country for Panama reentry
2.$500 cash or bank statement for Panama reentry
3.24hrs out of country (you can try same day and get lucky sometimes) for Panama reentry
4.Proof of travel out of Costa Rica for entry into Costa Rica. Bus or plane ticket.
5.$7 exit tax to exit Costa Rica.
6.Exit tax window is open 5 days a week. Hours are 8-4 Costa Rica time.
7.Border exit and entry windows in Costa Rica open at 6 Costa Rica time.
There is a machine two doors to the right of the Bank window which provides passport scan and atm for exit tax on weekends and early mornings. Is it in use now. I don't know.
Also, there is a lady there (early mornings and weekends) with a Tablet which is connected to Costa Rica Exit window data base. She will charge an additional 50 cents to enter you in the paid exit tax data base. She works for the bank that handles the tax.Then go to the window and they confirm it for you and stamp you out.
Having said all of this; take all the required items listed. Best to get the exit tax while the Bank window is in operation. You can buy the tax in advance for another day also.
Sometimes Panama doesn't ask for everything but I always have it just in case. You never know at the Frontera which way the wind will blow.
Hope this helps. I just came back from a trip to Costa Rica.
Hil Jenkins