Originally Posted by JDiver
Good luck, Roddy!
DO try to do a swap or the like with your America West ticket - you may find another Norteamericano down there who would be interested. Check the rules before you do it...
DO remember, America West may be satisfied with a letter from the marina, but it may still not meet the actual legal requirements. That can sting. I've resided out of the US over 20 years (sometimes advocating for fellow citizens who got in a kerfuffle with local "autoridades",) and I've seen how immigration authorities (ours and theirs) and airlines can be troublesome if we don't cross the t and dot the i - some folks will interpret loosely, others may be draconian. (Fortunately, Ticos are usually a bit on the looser side, "¡pura vida!")
So, your suggestion would be to get a letter from C.R. immigration as to the intent of their laws. I also believe they are much looser than AA, but I need to verify that by letter from immigration.