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[starlagurl]

I thought this was funny.

A Czech guy tries to book a flight to Costa Rica using a voucher and the lady on the phone tells him that he will need to prove how he is getting back to Costa Rica.

After he tells her he doesn't know, she says "entry is denied to gypsies or those with hippy appearance"

Wowie... Talk about discrimination.

Have you ever experienced the same? Whether it's discrimination because you look too shabby, or discrimination because you look too good, I can't say that I have.

I oftentimes get mistaken for a much younger person, however.

[mmbcross]

After a bit of research and a call to the TACA airline office here in Miami, there seem to be no regulations about entry in respect to hippies. When I mentioned gypsies, I got some hums and has. I think they play it by ear. If you look entirely disreputable, paid your ticket in cash and have no onward or return ticket, chances are you will be returned to your point of origin, or even denied boarding. This is not just Costa Rica. Most countries require an onward or return ticket, but few immigration officials actually request to see it unless your appeareance merits it. In other words, the way you look and dress will profile you into desirable and undesirable. It's your call.

Nevertheless, I'm at a loss to know why he heard this comment while making a reservation by phone. Did he speak in Romany by any chance?

Here's one solution to the ongoing ticket problem. If absolutely necessary, buy a full-fare, fully refundable ticket to the nearest border. Get a printed copy, then cancel it and get your money back. Show the printed copy to anyone who requests it. Unless you look like Jack Sparrow, it probably won't ever be verified.

Hi Starlagurl. What's this about looking younger than you are? Judging by your photo I'd hazard a guess at 21, or at a push, 22.

Cheers
Martin

[starlagurl]

I have no idea, I just randomly saw his blog post, which I linked to up there. Thanks for making that call though! It's good to know the things that make you look suspicious.

Ohhh that is my "business dress" When I don't have glasses on or my hair down, I look young, plus I am really short. Also, I don't normally wear a blazer.

For the record: I'm 26!

[introducinlyric]

that was funny thankx for sharing

[malpais-allstar]

With most countries they do require return flights... they want your money from tourism but not to support you through the socialist "La Caja" (CCSS) System. Don't Americans do that to Latinos on a daily basis?

Costa Ricans... many of them don't like the backpackers. I mean seriously, if someone didn't shower for 7 days and tried to enter your country wouldn't you be somewhat offended? I don't think this is a case of discrimination of hippies but more so some stinky backpacker not realizing they are offending people by their body odor.

[mmbcross]

Denied entry for BO? That's a new one. On the other hand, if they deny boarding to young ladies in skimpy attire, why not young backpackers exuding BO? Although it wouldn't worry me in the least sitting beside the former, I'm not so sure about the latter.

[starlagurl]

Haha, yeah, imagine...

You can't deny someone entry into your country because they haven't showered. There are like, whole CULTURES that don't use deodorant, what are you supposed to do with these people?

Come on now...

[mmbcross]

I was thinking more about boarding planes than entering countries in this respect. It can't be very pleasant stuck next to a malodorous traveller on a 10-hour flight!

[starlagurl]

Yeah, I wasn't talking to you.

I mean, money is money and if you're going to spend it in a foreign country, you should be allowed to weather you smell like roses or poop!

[barovia]

I work in the airline industry, and this is the exact wording in my most current training module.
The Entry into SJO (Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica) is refused to gypsies and to those with a “hippie appearance.” Persons with long and unkempt hair and beards or indecent clothing.

[starlagurl]

Wow...that's amazing...seems like a blatant attempt at cultural ghettoization.

[mmbcross]

How exactly do you determine who is a gypsy? If they don't dress like something out of a opera, and they don't tell you they are gypsies, how would you know?

[starlagurl]

They usually have darker skin, it's just another form of class/racism.

[starlagurl]

What's stranger than that?

[mmbcross]

Bribing of officials anywhere is a very dicey proposition. Residents of each country generally know who they can bribe and who they can't. For this reason it is certainly not recommendable for visitors to attempt this unless they are blatantly asked.

[willdabo]

This is probably because Costa Rica is such a draw for hippie surfer types.. maybe they are having to try and stop the influx of people that move down there and don't stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, etc... they 'live off the land' so to speak.. travel is good for a country only if you are spending money.. other wise you are just taking up space..

either way.. if you want to use a travel voucher to go to costa rica with no questions asked... there are some options.. I've used a travel voucher that i bought for very cheap to fly to costa rica for almost free... i got the dirt cheap travel voucher from www.thetravelsteals.com

good luck!