SJO Custom Lines
#1
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SJO Custom Lines
I'm heading to Tamarindo in a couple of weeks and flying into SJO. I am hoping to catch a flight on Sansa about an hour and 50 mins after my arrival, but curious about the Custom lines at SJO and getting over to the domestic terminal in time to catch the flight. It's the last flight of the day and really want to get to the beach asap...any info or suggestions would be great.
#2
Join Date: May 2007
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I think it varies quite a bit; we waited in the line for over 2 hours on our last trip; the line was winding all through the airport, past the food courts, shops, etc. Other days you can breeze through.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Our airport is full of surprises, most of them nasty. You cant predict anything.
My best advise is that you travel with carry on only, that should save the luggage line and you could take the fast lane thru customs: most agents will wave you thru if they see that you have only carry-on, specially if it does not look like you packed a house in it.
SANSA is literally next door to the international airport and dont think of a US airport where you take a train to go next door. It will take you 5 minutes to walk to SANSA.
My best advise is that you travel with carry on only, that should save the luggage line and you could take the fast lane thru customs: most agents will wave you thru if they see that you have only carry-on, specially if it does not look like you packed a house in it.
SANSA is literally next door to the international airport and dont think of a US airport where you take a train to go next door. It will take you 5 minutes to walk to SANSA.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
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A couple of questions: Will you be traveling w/children? If so, the familyline moves really fast. Have you already booked you flight? Liberia airport is only an hour to an hour and a half from Tamarindo, so that may also be an option.
#8
Join Date: May 2003
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Every country has a designated passport line for its own citizens. Costa Rica is no different in that regard.
If you are traveling with minors, you are supposed to use the designated family line. It's not just a nice convenience for families. They are doing added scrutiny on anyone traveling with children, making sure that everything and everyone in the group seems to match up.
Back to the original question: There is no good answer. I've breezed through in a few minutes and I've had it take well over an hour just for passport control. I always plan on the worst-case scenario and hope I will be pleasantly surprised.
If you can get by with carry-on luggage only, so much the better, because waiting for bags at the carousels downstairs is another of those "Who knows how long it can take?" matters.
If you are traveling with minors, you are supposed to use the designated family line. It's not just a nice convenience for families. They are doing added scrutiny on anyone traveling with children, making sure that everything and everyone in the group seems to match up.
Back to the original question: There is no good answer. I've breezed through in a few minutes and I've had it take well over an hour just for passport control. I always plan on the worst-case scenario and hope I will be pleasantly surprised.
If you can get by with carry-on luggage only, so much the better, because waiting for bags at the carousels downstairs is another of those "Who knows how long it can take?" matters.
#10
Join Date: May 2003
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Under 18 is a minor in Costa Rica so you should be shunted to the special line. Same thing applies when you leave. Before you go through security, you go through passport inspection. There's a separate line for anyone traveling with minors. You are required to use that line.
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nicci2
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Apr 17th, 2004 01:56 PM