Originally Posted by
yiggiddy
I have the same question about Costa Rica customs. I currently have booked a MR flight that's got a 1:05 layover. Is this going to be a problem? Since I'm not leaving the airport nor the gate (assuming arrival/departure gate be the same), would I be subject to the departure tax and have to go thru customs? I would imagine people layover here and not have to pay the departure tax. Thanks in advance!
Went through LIR 18 months ago. At that point, there were no jet bridges, or "gates." Arrival consisted of walking down the portable stairs off of the plane and following everyone to a large open-air immigration/customs area (with the largest ceiling fans I've ever seen). At least one other plane arrived shortly before us, so the wait was around 30 minutes.
Departure was similar -- once you checkin with the airline, everyone waits in one large room (about 50 meters from customs) and they board all flights from the common room and "gate."
Clearly your return flight is the same hardware as arrival, but from memory I don't know how you could skip the immigration/customs process to proceed straight to the departure area.
There is plenty to do in Costa Rica, though nothing immediately adjacent to Liberia. We (Mrs. Cardinal98) want to Playa Hermosa (35 minute cab ride) and spent some wonderful time on the beach and SCUBA. Also somewhat nearby (though perhaps rent a car) are Rinçon National Park and Arenal (60 miles?)