Border Run

[2sf0pxxqzgnsm]

I know this is a popular topic on Ning but I wasn't able to find the answer to my question on the other discussions (I only looked at the recent ones for up to date info). I am doing a border hop for he first time and wanted to know which border is best if you are being dropped off and just want to walk over, paso canoa or rio sereno? Do either of them have a hotel right on the other side? I'm doing this just for the passport stamp so I'm trying to make is as easy as possible. I know all the requirements for re-entry but would like to know which is better for walking over in regards to accommodations close by in Costa Rica. Thank you.

[Steve Gibson]

Don't know. I have always driven across with a $5 permit from Aduania in David. I am sure there is a place to park in Rio Serrano and would trust it more thsn Paso canoas.

[Keith Woolford]

It means they will have more windows open and better service as they know it will be busy. I read this article in LaPrensa. Here's a Google translation with a little help:

25/12/2013 - The entry of tourists at Panama's border with Costa Rica increased so far this December, so immigration authorities will apply a contingency plan, increasing safety and enhancing care for tourists.
Moises Cortez, head of the National Immigration Service in Chiriqui, said the migratory movement at this point was 40 thousand 425 people, from December 1 until December 24.
In breaking down the figure, explained that at this border area 18 thousand 954 people have entered Panama while 21 thousand 471 left to Central American countries, especially Costa Rica,
"Starting tomorrow, Thursday, December 26th we will apply a contingency plan from 4:00 am to cater to travelers who wish to enter or exit at Paso Canoa," Cortes said.

http://www.prensa.com/impreso/nacionales/mas-turistas-llegan-por-fr...

[Dean Hoover]

Merry Christmas all!

Would a vehicle left at the Rio Sereno border crossing for a couple of nights likely be unmolested?

Is there a secure parking facility there?

Thank you.

[Steve Gibson]

 Although a quicker ride, Paso Canoas is a zoo, especially this time of year, full of scams and rip offs. While Rio Serrano is a little longer journey and then a cab or bus ride into San Vito, it is a much easier crossing and one of the most beautiful drives in Central America. There are some great hotels in San Vito which was settled by Italians over 100 years ago. Nice people, great food. So, if you have to go somewhere for 24 or 48 or 72 hours, whichever they deem it tomorrow, why not enjoy yourselves. By the way, sorry, no disco's, nightclubs or casino's, just nice folks.

[Steve Gibson]

By the way, the Costa Rican $7.00 walk across departure tax has been abandoned until they can figure out how to implement the machines at the border.

[Nancy Burgess]

Hi Steve, do you have a phone # or an email available for contact? I have some questions.

Thanks.

[Steve Gibson]

Nancy,

   My email is [e-mail] and my number is 6900-0764.

Steve

[Richard A]

There is a hotel right at the border in Paso Canoas on the left as you walk into Costa Rica.  It would not be possible to do Rio Serreno so easily as it is more than a 20 minute car drive to the border from there and when you arrive there is nothing there except the border crossing.  FYI:  I asked the Panama border office at Paso Canoas how long you have to stay out.  They said it is a "date thing."  They close the office at 11 pm and re-open the following morning at 7am.  They said one could check in at 7am to comply with the regulation.  Thus, the "24 hour" designation is a misnomer.

[Steve Gibson]

He had s valid registration, title, he is a Costa Rican citizen why would he need a bus ticket back to Costa Rica from Paso Canoas. He came down to help retrieve a Panamanian rental car that was taken and driven into CR and confiscated.

[Keith Woolford]

Not to belabor a point, but if the Costa Rican had brought his vehicle across into Panama, he would have a valid means of exit. Without doing that, Immigration has the perspective that he is just another foreigner who needs to provide a means of return to his home country from INSIDE Panama. The Panamanian Immigration officer isn't expected or qualified to check out foreign vehicle documentation or Parking stubs. Think about a Mexican citizen entering the U.S. telling the Customs Official at the border that he's going to return home from the States in a car he has stashed somewhere in Tijuana.

They are at least, it seems, applying the rules of the day equally. Great for the bus company.