The new immigration law just went into effect today March 1. Tourists will still be able to renew their visa by going to and returning from a nearby country as they have in the past, but the rules are changing, making that Panama visit a bit more challenging.
One aspect of the new law says that a tourist will not be able to go to the same country twice in a row and that after two trips to renew a visa a tourist will have to stay out of Costa Rica for a minimum of 15 days - different from the 3 days of yesterday.
The purpose of this new regulation is to crack down on perpetual tourists.
Apparently, there is another option - instead of visiting a nearby country to renew the visa, a foreigner can show up at any immigration location in San Jose, Limon or the border and renew the right to stay here for 90 more days for $100 - without actually leaving.
UPDATE: As of 5 May 2010, we have spoken with several locals who have informed themsleves through their embassies and local immigration officials at the Costa Rican - Panana border. It seems that the '15 day limitation' or the 'same frontier rules' will not go into effect. If anyone knows anything fiurther from their own experiences, please do share so we can update the information accordingly.
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