Thread: Visa Run

We are staying in Panama for a longer period. Every 3 months we need to do the so called Visa run. Go 3 days to Costa Rica and return to Panama, with the required stamps in the passport. Does anybody know if there is a possibility to extend the validity of the tourisvisum?
Thank you

Yes, you can get a longer one for medical reasons and such. Make whatever you want up and file it with an attorney. They process everything so slowly here that you will have no trouble staying. Make sure to file on day 85 to use the full time. Extensions to tourist visas do not exist for most nationalities.

I usually go to Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica for 3 days. Not too bad.

Best, Ed
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I will be in Puerto Viejo myself in a couple of weeks, looking forward to it.

Only problem is the food prices. At least double compared to Panama, if not triple.

Same with the beer? Just wondering why the heck food and drink costs SO MUCH MORE in CR?

Beer is almost always 1000 colones, which is roughly 2 bucks now that the "colon" has gained some new strength. Think they run you about 700 in the stores. So not too bad on the beer end of things. Puerto Viejo has quite low occupancy rates (about 30-40 %) I hear so make sure to negotiate when looking for a place.

That is the one thing that has shocked me the most is the difference in price of food and drink between Panama and CR. In Las Tablas I can have dinner at a La Fonda and drink many beers at the local expat hangout and total cost is only $5-$6. I love that kind of a price.

Someone is making a penny. Costa Rica to me is all "come to my eco-lodge and dine on $15 burgers".

The whole "eco-lodge" thing seems to have turned into an excuse to charge over $100 per night in a glorified bamboo construction hostel.

Were do you guys stay in Puerto Viejo? We stayed at Shawandas, $90 a night for a casita with a shower and a bed. The wild life, the short walk to the beach, and the jungle were great, but I missed the TV to put me to sleep. I would love some recommendations....

Originally Posted by becky7474

Were do you guys stay in Puerto Viejo? We stayed at Shawandas, $90 a night for a casita with a shower and a bed. The wild life, the short walk to the beach, and the jungle were great, but I missed the TV to put me to sleep. I would love some recommendations....

Personally, I like cheap places, not to worried about critters. Give me a hammock and I am good.

I usually stay at Monte Sol since it's the closest to the beach and away from the noise: Monte Sol

It's like $25 for 2.

Originally Posted by becky7474

Were do you guys stay in Puerto Viejo?

Is there a bus from David to Puerto Viejo?

You can take a bus past Changinola (I am sure I spelled that wrong) and you can get right to the border of Costa Rica. From there you will get stamped and walk across a pretty rickety bridge that tractor trailers loaded with bananas crosses. Once you get across the CR immigration will make you purchase a bus ticket ($1) in a pharmacy past immigration, stamp you, and then I usually take a $30 taxi ride to Puerto Viejo. I will actually be making the journey in two weeks.

MRWOOHOO, do you get stamped by both the panamanian and CR customs?

Yes, stop on the Panamanian side on your way out and get an exit stamp. Then cross the bridge and if you need to go buy the bus ticket out of CR then get you CR entry stamp..

Same when you leave CR, be sure and get your CR exit stamp on the way out.

Just like tommyd said, you have to make sure you are getting your stamp. It truly is so easy getting across that you can quite literally get into the other country without your stamps.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

The whole "eco-lodge" thing seems to have turned into an excuse to charge over $100 per night in a glorified bamboo construction hostel.

Hmmmm I own a eco-lodge in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica and I invested almost 1 million dollars cash to build it. We run almost always at 100% occupancy (even in slow seasons) and we have 19 staff.

I can assure you that charging almost $100 night is not an "excuse". It is called making ends meet, keeping your place up and trying to make a 10% return on your investment.

I could only wish the rate was an "excuse". I could be rolling in it....

Originally Posted by colinsito

Hmmmm I own a eco-lodge in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica and I invested almost 1 million dollars cash to build it. We run almost always at 100% occupancy (even in slow seasons) and we have 19 staff.

I can assure you that charging almost $100 night is not an "excuse". It is called making ends meet, keeping your place up and trying to make a 10% return on your investment.

I could only wish the rate was an "excuse". I could be rolling in it....

Hi Colinsito, I know exactly where your place is and I have driven by on beach cruiser before. In my opinion you have one of, if not, the nicest and most beautiful places in Puerto Viejo. Your place deserves $100 per night, no doubt Hotel Banana Azul - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limon, Costa Rica. Please do not take offense, I do not consider your place an eco-lodge. It is more of a nicely secluded eco-resort.

No offense taken... Thanks for your kind words... I just felt like responding.. So anyone thinking of opening a hotel have an idea what they might expect.

I too naively thought i would budget $40- $50 night when I opened. I had no idea how much things cost and also found out that PV was full of budget places and did not need another one.

I saw that there was a "middle of the road" clientele that was not being served. We immediately invested more money and brought up our standards. Thankfully in hindsight, it was the right call.

Imho, the way the world economy is going I would be hesitant to start any new tourism projects anywhere in the world.

Respectfully asking since I am budgeting for a long stay in interior Panama, what would a "Visa Run" cost from David area, across into CR for this man who doesn't drink or party, but is a walker and stays in modest circumstances? Would a budget of $120 be realistic?

Thanking responders in advance,
Hiker Bob

You can probably rent a bed for $10 a day (privately) on the border if you ask around. Depends on what your needs are.

Originally Posted by EdBowers

You can probably rent a bed for $10 a day (privately) on the border if you ask around. Depends on what your needs are.

Thank you Ed.
Hiker Bob

Just in case anyone is wondering....we stayed at the Banana Azul during our last Visa Run. It was wonderful. The grounds are beautiful, the beach is just a few steps away. The rooms, the staff, the food, all great. Getting there was an adventure, but once there, very peaceful.

If you are looking for budget $120 - $150 should be fine.

Thank you Mr. WooHoo. I am getting the hang of this, getting the idea.

Robert in Texas