Some quick questions -

1) Are the current wait times as long as described as at the beginning of the thread? How long should we budget for everything?

2) I know we have to check in, hand over are luggage, pay departure tax, turn in our "tax-free" forms to get the VAT rebate, etc. Can someone clarify what order we need to do things (I'd hate to get to the gate and find out that I needed to turn in my tax-free form before going through security - or stand in line to pay the departure tax to discover that i needed to be checked in already.

3) I also recall reading that there is a not so obvious location to pay the departure tax that has less waiting - where is it?

4) Can I get the VAT rebate in u$s? And is there a similar window to the bank window after customs on arrival that will let me exchange my pesos for usd?