Costa Rica denies travel to their country if your passport is within 6 months of expiration. Fodors nor the State Dept. fail to inform anyone of this arcane rule. An alternate means of permission to travel to Costa Rica is a valid county/state birth certificate. Does anyone know why a number of Central American countries invalidate a non expired US passport?

I know that this is the case with a Canadian passport also. I believe it applies to Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica....in fact, I think it's generally accepted practice throughout most of North/South America, if not the world. I was told that the receiving countries were reluctant to accept anyone with a passport due within 6 months in case of an unexpected delay in returning home (accident, illness, etc.). I don't know if that's the only reason or the most valid reason but I've been aware of this rule since getting my passport. I believe the information was issued with the passport but since most passports are valid for a while, it's easy to forget all the rules. I'll bet if you check, the same rules apply to anyone trying to enter the U.S. Sorry if it caused you a problem but it is quite a common concern for travellers and I don't think the rules will change anytime soon...especially with the current tighter security.

thanks for the info

I just got back from Costa Rica traveling in July and my passport expires in August (I've sent it for renewal). Nobody even looked twice! So I can say that that is definitely not true that they won't let you in the country.

Pat - <BR><BR>It is well known that you will be denied entry if your passport expires within six months of the date of entry. I can think of dozens of countries that enforce this rule. I am leaving for Australia in a few weeks and this rule applies. It is not confined to Central America.

That rule is technically on the books for Belize as well. I've never seen it enforced in Belize. BUT I have a friend who was almost denied boarding on a flight to Belize because his Canadian passport expired in less than six months. It was the airline, not Belize, that almost wouldn't let him go to Belize. (He eventually talked the agent into letting him board the flight and had no problem in Belize.)<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder

Mexico/US let me travel last year but several times it was pointed out that my passport was going to soon expire (early December travel; passport expiration coming up January).

Since Mexico doesn't require a passport for travel, the expiration date doesn't apply.<BR><BR>The 6 month rule applies pretty much everywhere in the world that a passport is required. Of course, that doesn't mean it is always enforced. Airlines are more strict because they are responsible for deporting people who arrive without proper documentation.<BR><BR>Note also that the State Department has no responsibility for entry requirements of other countries. It's not their business. And one should not depend on a Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet or other 3rd party for such information. The only reliable source is the country itself.<BR><BR>Dawn pointed out that the 6 month policy is well known and she is correct. Another general rule, but not well known, is that almost every country requires a departure tax. Some collect it on air tickets (like the US) and some upon arrival but you almost always pay it.

Fodors and State of Dept. are great sources of information but you should always check with the contry's consulate for the latest changes.