GETTING RIPPED OFF AT THE COSTA RICA - PANAMA BORDER

I have to prove to Panama that I possess at least $500 in the form of cash or credit before I cross. Also, I must buy a tourist card and also show that I have a return ticket out of the country. From there, I need to purchase

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Panama
• Border
• costa
• rica
• travel
• adventure
• journey
• public
• transportation

[mcmlxvi]

I don't get it, you were welcome in Panama, they let you in and they didn't ask you for anything that the US itself doesn't ask at their own borders, and you pay them back by posting a video with the words "rip off" in the title? Why don't you try to get back to LA with a Panamanian passport at the Mexican border and see how it goes?. Grow up dude.

[intransitTV]

@mcmlxvi I'm well aware of the purpose of paying an entrance fee as well as proof of departure. I'm simply showing the reality of this border crossing. In comparison to other border crossing on this particular trip in Central America, this one was the shadiest. So in comparison to all the other "great" border crossings I experienced, this one was a rip off. That's it. It's all relative.

[MrHogslice]

That was scary. Red flags everywhere. Your safe now and other than your wallet getting lifted early on it looks like you had a relatively safe trip. great videos, I loved watching these. TY.

[intransitTV]

@MrHogslice A couple other scary situations that weren't on camera. For the most part, the trip was pretty safe. Safer than I expected.

[mcmlxvi]

@intransitTV Dude, you were unprepared. Next time check some webpages, there are tons of info for backpackers.

[intransitTV]

@mcmlxvi oh. wow. thanks.

[kidcapri009]

Bottom line, travel with someone who speaks the language and is a native. I've been to costa rica many times and always have the price of things jump at least 200%. Its the tax for not speaking spanish. I always leave the transactions to my cousin who is a native.

[AbiAmath]

my stomach always turns when i am in this type of situation in other countries. it even turning right now watching this.

[MusicForYourFunk]

@mcmlxvi

jaded much?

[mcmlxvi]

@HeyItsRaymonds Let me tell you what's a rip off, American Embassies all over the world charging over 200 dollars to third world people for a visa application and then refusing the visa and NOT giving the money back. That's a 100 million dollars a year of rip off right there alone, and yet some Americans have the AUDACITY to criticize the way they treat them at the borders of those very same countries. Some nerve this guy has.

[HeyItsRaymonds]

@mcmlxvi There aren't many American's with camera crews trying to sneak into Panama to work and live illegally. It's like comparing Apples and Wood Flooring. Not just 2 different things but 2 completely different things.

[Diyerke]

you should've stayed in Costa Rica... :)

[RetroFishman]

I like what you do, I did this once thru Belize and the Bay islands and thought about the Costa Rican expierience alone in a year or two but I keep changeing my mind and my Spanish is very poor. I could go chill in some remote areas but looseing the GRINGO image without some Spanish language skills is whats stopping me and not thrilled with going to the community college.

[gtenshi]

Poster, I see why you would feel ripped off. They asked you for a return ticket that you probably weren't going to use. However, this measure went into effect after Nicaraguan immigrantes were using tourist permits to come into Panama and stayed there illegally. Now, you say, "well, I'm American, backpacking through CA," and yes, you don't plan to stay in Panama illegally, and I think it was their fault for asking you to do all that when there probably shouldn't be a concern about you.

[DJMAJESTY213]

All ur videos were great u have motivated me 2 take a trip some were....u should make some dvds 2 sale i will make u some 4 free email me bcause i like what u doing im also from L.A....RESPECT DJ Majesty