Costa Rica will include airport tax in ticket prices
#16
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MKE
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 903
At the tax counter at SJO is a sign showing the components of the $29. It's made up of four different fees, but none of those are included in your list. (The tourism tax has existed for years and it has always been included in the price of the ticket.) I'm sure you'll have to pay upon departure.
This is so typical of Costa Rica: Announce a move with big fanfare, and then not be able to implement it. I should have known.
This is so typical of Costa Rica: Announce a move with big fanfare, and then not be able to implement it. I should have known.
Oh well, will just schedule some extra time.
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,890
I'm flying out this morning. The woman at the tax counter told me that the system should be up and running for tickets purchased after Mar. 1. She did add the very Costa Rican qualifier "Si Dios lo quiere" ("God willing") to her statement.
#18
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MDT
Programs: DL, AA
Posts: 390
We'll be flying from LIR to JFK in early February. My guess is we'll be checking a bag but I'm not sure. We're currently planning on being there about 2 hours before the departure time. Is that enough time?
#19
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SJO
Programs: TA Platinum (Now LifeMiles Diamond), CO/CM Platinum. (Now UA Premier 1K) AMEX Platinum
Posts: 379
Flew out on Copa Wednesday 3/04 noon, when I arrived the line for the tax was out to the street. (I already had mine) I asked the girl at the counter about it, and she said maybe August, but not sure. I asked about other airlines and she said they had some problems and none are currently including the exit tax in the ticket price, even though Delta had previously.
Returning from SAP, the counter agent stamped by boarding pass "Taxes Paid", and said I no longer need to go pay $39+ at the Banco Lafisse line!! Very embarrassing that SAP can get this figured out faster than SJO.
Also, in addition to the 3rd level Credomatic VIP club at SAP, a Banco Atlantida Club has been added in the second level departure lounge that accepts Priority Pass. Good for 4 adult beverages and a sandwich or empanada. It is small and dark compared to the 3rd level club, but another alternative for those without Credomatic.
Returning from SAP, the counter agent stamped by boarding pass "Taxes Paid", and said I no longer need to go pay $39+ at the Banco Lafisse line!! Very embarrassing that SAP can get this figured out faster than SJO.
Also, in addition to the 3rd level Credomatic VIP club at SAP, a Banco Atlantida Club has been added in the second level departure lounge that accepts Priority Pass. Good for 4 adult beverages and a sandwich or empanada. It is small and dark compared to the 3rd level club, but another alternative for those without Credomatic.
#20
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,378
At the tax counter at SJO is a sign showing the components of the $29. It's made up of four different fees, but none of those are included in your list. (The tourism tax has existed for years and it has always been included in the price of the ticket.) I'm sure you'll have to pay upon departure.
This is so typical of Costa Rica: Announce a move with big fanfare, and then not be able to implement it. I should have known.
This is so typical of Costa Rica: Announce a move with big fanfare, and then not be able to implement it. I should have known.
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,890
The only thing I can figure is that Costa Rica used to have a three-tiered exit tax, with one rate for tourists, one rate for residents, and one rate for citizens. An airline or travel agent would have no idea which tax applied when selling a ticket, so it was paid at the airport. The rates became uniform several years ago, but nobody bothered to "fix" the manner in which the tax is collected.
#22
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SJO/MGA
Programs: bits of shiny plastic w/ varied utility
Posts: 383
Searching for rationale behind any of CR's government decisions/procedures/processes is akin to searching for unicorns on the moon! pura vida mae!
#26
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SJO/MGA
Programs: bits of shiny plastic w/ varied utility
Posts: 383
According to one of the local English language rags, tickets purchased next week with returns after 14 June 2015 on AA/US and CM will have the departure tax included.
Perhaps even more interesting is that AV will have SJO-LHR service on 787's starting 01 July.
Perhaps even more interesting is that AV will have SJO-LHR service on 787's starting 01 July.
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,890
But if it is true, that's a poorly written article to bury such a big piece of news at the end like that, with no hint of it in the headline.
Good news about the airport taxes. Thanks!
Last edited by SJOGuy; Mar 19, 2015 at 5:47 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,890
La Nacin here is reporting on the London flights requiring a connection at BOG. In Spanish:
http://www.nacion.com/economia/empre...476052405.html
http://www.nacion.com/economia/empre...476052405.html
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,947
The only thing I can figure is that Costa Rica used to have a three-tiered exit tax, with one rate for tourists, one rate for residents, and one rate for citizens. An airline or travel agent would have no idea which tax applied when selling a ticket, so it was paid at the airport. The rates became uniform several years ago, but nobody bothered to "fix" the manner in which the tax is collected.
#30
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SJO/MGA
Programs: bits of shiny plastic w/ varied utility
Posts: 383
La Nacin here is reporting on the London flights requiring a connection at BOG. In Spanish:
http://www.nacion.com/economia/empre...476052405.html
http://www.nacion.com/economia/empre...476052405.html
I tweeted AV and actually got a reply -- pointed me to a press release from last year about the 787s!