How Much Time Should I REALLY Allow for Customs + Immigration in Costa Rica?

We have a golden rule about immigration, because doesn't everybody like golden rules about immigration?

If you're wondering how much time you should allot in between landing and telling Juan Pablo when to pick you up—or, how much time before you should book your Sansa flight—fear not, we have the magic answer. The magic answer is this:

One hour if you’re taking ground transportation.
Two hours if you’re taking air transportation. (Like a domestic flight on Sansa.)

Why two hours for air transportation? Because not only do you need to get through immigration (and sometimes lines are long with hiking-boot-donning tourists), but the domestic airlines also require you to be there one hour prior to your flight. And these guys mean business. We can't tell you how many clients have lost their domestic flight, over the years, simply because the carrier wouldn't let them board—even though they were there 30 minutes prior. SERIOUSLY. This means that if you land at 12pm, you'll want to book a 2pm domestic flight. Not a 1pm. Aight?

And as for Juan Pablo? Those guys are pretty cool. If you're having a transfer company pick you up, not only will they show up when you say to: they'll also wait for you, so you don't have to worry. Of course, in my opinion, the best way to go? Is to rent a car. And then you can show up whenever you get there, because #FREEDOM. And also #SHITHAPPENS. No matter what, though: you'll be just fine. (As long as you aren't late for your domestic flight, of course, in which case? Bless your tiny little soul.)