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Costa Rica: No gypsies and hippies allowed
It is not easy to be a backpacker these days.
I was buying air tickets from New York to Costa Rica (but out of Panama City) over the phone yesterday, using a free voucher. I am glad that I did it over the phone, otherwise I would have been spared this brilliant conversation.
After booking, the Continental operator informed me that a yellow fever vaccine was recommended and that I should have access to $500 in cash. OK, I think I can manage that.
Then, she said I will not be allowed on the plane in New York unless I can prove how I'm getting from Costa Rica to Panama. What? Isn't the fact that you have no idea how you'll travel around the entire point of backpacking?
To take it even further, she recited that in Costa Rica "entry is denied to gypsies or those with hippy appearance." I kid you not.
Are they for real?
Filed under: North America, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecotourism, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chuck C May 29th 2008 1:55AM
I would like to clarify also that Costa Rica does not bar hippie types or gypsies..... there is not a speck of truth that they discriminate with regards to entry... tons of hippies do indeed visit and many even live there. Sad that somebody would post such a deception on here.
Martin Oct 20th 2007 8:10PM
Why would any one want to go to those third world coutries anyway.They do not like us there our citizens disaper,you get sick from the food and water,the highway systems suck.Keep your third world countries
kell Oct 20th 2007 10:13PM
ahh, ignorance. costa rica is actually quite an amazing country and a good bargain as well. the surf is amazing, food was terrific, cities were interesting to visit and the hotel we stayed at was clean and well maintained. visiting the rainforests was a real treat and white water rafting was fun! i'm looking forward to visiting costa rica again.
Jannet Moore Oct 20th 2007 10:14PM
Martin? Get A Clue! Both Panama And Costa Rica(Which Has The Longest Running Democracy In Latin America B.T.W.) Are Both About To Become Retirement Boom Meccas For Senior Americans. And It's The United States That's Rapidly Becoming A 3rd World Nation....Thanks To Bush
Joihn Oct 20th 2007 10:55PM
Coasta Rica also has some of the best sport fishing of any place in the world.
kamillia Oct 21st 2007 12:57AM
Ok Gypsie's, isn;t that an actual ethnic identity? Can a country really bar a whole group of people from entering, isn't that racist? I wonder if there are Roma already living in Costa Rica, do they have to get out as well?
tyler Baydak Oct 21st 2007 1:37AM
Are YOU for real?
Almost every country in the world demands that you have proof on onward travel or sufficient funds in order to gain entry. It is rarely checked however, it is the responsibitly of the airline on which you are travelling to check your proof of onward travel, if you are refused entry at immigration than the airline in on the line to send you back (you will obviously be expected to reimburse them.) I've only been asked for proof of onward travel over 35 international flights. It pays to look decent when travelling internationally (ie. no Bob Marley t-shirt or tie-dyed jeans.)
tyler Baydak Oct 21st 2007 1:45AM
Are YOU for real?
Almost every country in the world demands that you have proof on onward travel or sufficient funds in order to gain entry. It is rarely checked however, it is the responsibitly of the airline on which you are travelling to check your proof of onward travel, if you are refused entry at immigration than the airline in on the line to send you back (you will obviously be expected to reimburse them.) I've only been asked for proof of onward travel once in over 35 international flights. It pays to look decent when travelling internationally (ie. no Bob Marley t-shirt or tie-dyed jeans.)
I know a Canadian girl who went to Australia on a 3 month tourist visa with a return ticket, and when she got there the immigration officers wanted to see proof of funds to suppourt her time in Oz, and all she could show them was an ATM reciept showing $300 in her account (she was planning on working there.) She was sent back to home on the next flight!
Kamillia, yes, countries CAN BAR AN ENTIRE group of people from entering. Generally speaking, Israelis aren't allowed in Malaysia.
Edelman Moya Oct 24th 2007 11:42AM
Hello, I am from Costa Rica and this moment I am in Africa.
I want to leave clear something, in Costa Rica is not discriminated against anybody, neither refuses the entrance to anybody. It is the oldest democracy of America, a country where there is not army and one lives in peace. It is complete lie and unjust that this of Costa Rica is said.
We wait for them with the open arms.
coach Oct 22nd 2007 2:46PM
it's not just Continental. Star Alliance (United) has it right on their website:
"Visitor must hold:
- return or onward ticket; and
- all documents required for next destination; and
- sufficient funds.
For exemptions see For details, click here - item 2.
Entry refused to gypsies and to those with "hippy" appearance."
Brooke Oct 23rd 2007 12:24PM
This is pretty common for a lot of countries... I'm a travel agent and at the bottom of the entry requirements that are from the countries' governments, there are several examples of "Hippy types not allowed." I swear, that's exactly what it says!