Thread: Immigration Kicking It Up A Notch?

Coming back from Chitre last night immigration stopped my friends and I at a checkpoint. Since there were two obvious foreign nationals in the car we were selectively stopped and everybody had to show ID including two Panamanians. Everybody's ID was recorded by two immigration officers and one police officer. They were friendly enough, everybody had ID, we went on our way.

Have you ever gone through at Rio Serrano? You have to leave a opy of your passport with them.

Originally Posted by becky7474

Have you ever gone through at Rio Serrano? You have to leave a opy of your passport with them.

Where is Rio Serrano?

I am not sure where Rio Serrano is either. But, I was very close to being arrested at the border of Panama and Costa Rica. It got ugly fast and they pulled my passport for a time until they decided that they did not want to deal with me. It was just a simple request for the woman to put on gloves before she stuck her hand and arm up around in my backpack. She refused and told me that she didnt have to. The fight was on...

That's it make them put on some gloves after they have been handling everyone else's " Junk". So did they put on gloves? Did they even have any? Remember Herpes and venereal warts are highly contagious.

I traveled all over and it was the only time they refused to put on gloves. I am sure that they had them but she was on a pissing contest with me on who would win. I won. They searched nothing. The thing is, how many times does a woman wash her hands after using the tolet down there? I would venture to say not very many. Men are even worse. Then on top of it, they have searched alot of bags before touching mine. So you can picture what is on her hands. Every time she went to get into my pack, I would put my hand on it to prevent her from searching. After 3 times, she was mad. I am sure that it appeared that I had a pound of coco in it. I was not looking for trouble. But I was ready to carry it on to the finish. I did remember that it was a friday and I wouldnt get out of jail until Monday at the soonest. It could have been a lot uglier than it was though. it is not a good idea to get those Border Agents stirred up unless you have to. But if it happens, then a person must be ready to follow through with things. But my gosh, rubber gloves? If it had been filled with dirty diapers, I am sure she would have quickly found her box of gloves. Just pick your battles wisely...

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

Where is Rio Serrano?

Rio Sereno, wow did I butcher that name. Up near San Vito and the Wilson Botanical Gardens. We went with a group of 15, and the crossing was really easy and painless. The only thing weird was the copy of your passport, which they kept and checked when we came back through.

I just checked out Rio Sereno on Google map, now I know where it is. I had heard this is a much easier border crossing. Paso Canoas has really gotten to busy and to militant unfortunately. I had heard you can catch a bus to take you to Neilly (Costa Rica bus terminal) and then get to where you need to go. Sounds like passing through Rio Sereno may even be quicker now that Paso Canoas has gotten so tight.

Originally Posted by india

I traveled all over and it was the only time they refused to put on gloves. I am sure that they had them but she was on a pissing contest with me on who would win. I won. They searched nothing. The thing is, how many times does a woman wash her hands after using the tolet down there? I would venture to say not very many. Men are even worse. Then on top of it, they have searched alot of bags before touching mine. So you can picture what is on her hands. Every time she went to get into my pack, I would put my hand on it to prevent her from searching. After 3 times, she was mad. I am sure that it appeared that I had a pound of coco in it. I was not looking for trouble. But I was ready to carry it on to the finish. I did remember that it was a friday and I wouldnt get out of jail until Monday at the soonest. It could have been a lot uglier than it was though. it is not a good idea to get those Border Agents stirred up unless you have to. But if it happens, then a person must be ready to follow through with things. But my gosh, rubber gloves? If it had been filled with dirty diapers, I am sure she would have quickly found her box of gloves. Just pick your battles wisely...

Maybe carrying a small bottle of antibacterial liquid and handing it to them would work.

You see the same thing with the TSA at airports with their blue gloves. They search person to person but never change gloves. Potentially spreading influenza, herpes, genital warts, etc... There is a reason hospitals wash and change gloves between people.

Let me tell you, finally I have my 1 year permit & pensionado visa application.....three days of hell!!!!

Congrats and WoooHooo!!!

Originally Posted by Rok Alwar

Let me tell you, finally I have my 1 year permit & pensionado visa application.....three days of hell!!!!

Did you use an attorney? Did the attorney do most of the leg work or just the filing? What would you say were the worst parts? Congrats on sticking it out and getting into the pipeline!!!

Check this block Living in Panama – Real Facts On Panama Visit Trip Travel Tours Vacation My first panama trip experience was so atrocious that even the thought of that country brings in hatred in my heart especially because of the way their officials extort you and the indifference shown by their government,that time was very horrible for me.

Several board members have questioned the authenticity of that particular "report".

I agree with TennVol. This report is staged. There is no evidence that I can find to back up his outlandish tales. If something as overboard as this story is, wouldnt more be written on his harrowing tale?
Nope. Something stinks with it.