Taking gun to Costa Rica?

[okiebuckout]

Anyone know the laws about being able to take a firearm to CostaRica? Do any of you know if there are legal ways of taking a personal firearm there? I will be traveling there alone and tend to like to take my own little excursions. I am wondering if there is any way I would be able to take a pistol with me there. No not on my body on the airlines, just when I arrive in country. I realize the dangers of traveling alone, but it is not possible for me to travel with others. Could someone maybe point me into the right direction to find out. Thanks.

 

[battlecry]

Don't know if this helps:

Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, DC
2114 “S” Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Phone: (202) 234-2945 and (202) 234-2946
Fax: (202) 265-4795
Web: http://www.costarica-embassy.org

Office hours:
10:00 am - 6:00 pm (Monday – Friday)



Consulate of Costa Rica in Washington, DC
2112 “S” Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Phone: (202) 328-6628
Fax: (202) 234-6950
e-mail: [email protected]

Open to the public:
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

 

[okiebuckout]

I will give that a try. Thanks BattleCry

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

Can you report your findings? This is an interesting question.

 

[okiebuckout]

Indeed I will.

 

[JohnBT]

www.1costaricalink.com/goldendoor/door-costarica-247.htm

"Once you have registered a handgun it is illegal to carry it unless you have a special permit or Permiso de Portación de Armas. In order to get a permit you have to be a legal resident or have a Costa Rican Corporation. You may register the gun through the latter. In addition you have to take both a psychological test to see if you are suited to own a gun. Finally, you have to show a qualified instructor that you know how to use your gun by shooting at some targets."

 

[gregthehand]

Josh your not going to be able to take over Costa Rica with that 1911 I sold you... While it's good enough, you still need to grow a little JUST kiddin! Why haven't you logged on yet?

 

[okiebuckout]

Here is what I found at the embassies website. Courtesy of BattleCry.
http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/travel/weapons.htm

It seems to be about a 2month process. That's what they say anyways. Don't look like I will have enough time to go through the process. HMM...Dang it.


Funny Greg, you know when you sold it to me it mysteriously became more accurate...Hmm, wonder how that happened...

 

[cbsbyte]

Hope you like Costa Rica, because you are going to be spending a long time getting to know their prison system if you bring a gun into the country.

 

[okiebuckout]

Well I don't think I will taking one if it is a big 'no go'. Apperantly thats what it looks like...Guess I could always carry my knife I will have to check to validity of that too.

 

[Phaetos]

Once you have registered a handgun it is illegal to carry it unless you have a special permit or Permiso de Portación de Armas. In order to get a permit you have to be a legal resident or have a Costa Rican Corporation. You may register the gun through the latter. In addition you have to take both a psychological test to see if you are suited to own a gun. Finally, you have to show a qualified instructor that you know how to use your gun by shooting at some targets."

Ahhhh .. so you first BUY and REGISTER the gun. THEN take a psych test to see if you should be allowed to have a gun. That makes sense, sounds like something the Libs will attempt sometime, and that would more than likely be the order of the process as well.

 

[Onmilo]

If you are going to hunt your host will provide the firearms.
If you are going to recruit baseball players you won't need a gun.
Anybody tries to mess with you and the word gets out the prospective players will beat the perpetrator to death.
I am not kidding about this.

In my eyes there is no other reason to go to Costa Rica unless you are visiting your spouses parents.

 

[Len S]

My wife is from Costa Rica. I am there every yerar for 2-4 weeks visiting her family. Her sister and one brother in law are lawyers. There are also a couple of judges in the family. Not a problem getting gun into the country. They will make sure you leave with it. THere is no real way to leave on in the country. Getting a carry permit if you are a tourist. NO CHANCE. There is no hunting in Costa Rica. At least no legal hunting. They have no military. They have a national PD and traffic police. The traffic cops are usually unarmed. You see very little police presence outside of big cities. Rule of thumb about safety. There are places you do NOT go after dark. Just like Chicago or any other place. I do it but I am always with a native and they know where and where not to go. Treat the place like a unknown big city and you will be safe. Most crime is fron the Niccos and Panamanians. Most Ticos (Costa Ricans) speak more than one language. Alot of them speak English. Just because they do not speak it to you does not mean that they do not understand what you are saying. They have a literacy rate of 98% compare that to 78% for the U.S.


Len

 

[Len S]

Onmilo

"In my eyes there is no other reason to go to Costa Rica unless you are visiting your spouses parents."

There are great beaches, beautiful women, active vulcano, ARENAL, alot of eco tourist things to do. Safer than Mexico or "the islands" and it is the only stable democracy south of Texas.

Len

 

[nonquixote]

Besides Onmilo, as a resident it is legal to own guns in Costa Rica, something that might not be true for much longer in Illinois.

 

[okiebuckout]

thanks for the info.
Len, can you give me the scoop on where to go? I am in wildlife management, and love the rainforest. I was thinking about Monteverde, but noticed it is a little touristy. I was wanting something lowkey, but safe. I will be there for 7 days(due to chartered flight plan) I want a place that I can take all the time i want photographing and exploring. Do you know if Monteverde is a good choice for it? Just a shot in the dark that you might know.

 

[Cacique500]

Watch out for the snakes as well - they've got some of the really nasty ones down there (Fleur de Lance (sp?).

I always preferred the Pacific side - much more scenic and if you go through Buenos Aires (yes, there is a B.A. in Costa Rica) make sure you stop and get one of the pineapples...mmmmm.

Make sure you grab some Volio coffee (red on the bag) - puts starbuck$ to shame.

 

[okiebuckout]

Watch out for the snakes as well - they've got some of the really nasty ones down there (Fleur de Lance (sp?).

Ah, the Fer-de-lance. I actually have a afliction for venomous snakes. I am one of those few who would be exstatic to find a Fer-de-lance. This is one of the reasons I am going down there. I will be spending about a week exploring the preserves and photographing my explorations . I have always been intrigued by the biodiversity of the rainforests. Maybe i can catch a glimpse at an ocelot or jaguar.

 

[Cacique500]

Man, I wouldn't go LOOKING for those things...eek. Seriously, they blend in REALLY well with the foliage.

Also watch out for the notorius "screw fly" - that kept me awake at night just thinking about it...matter of fact it's making me itch right now thinking about it.

I'll take my biodiversity on the black sand beach at Quepos with a pina colada in hand thank you very much

Enjoy the trip and (seriously) watch out for the creepy crawlies...

 

[okiebuckout]

Thanks for all the tips, Sorry guys I love snakes to much to try to avoid them. Don't worry I have the utmost respect for them. I even have a little experience with the North American counterparts(yes the venomous ones) I think you guys have to worry more about staying safe than I will.



I guess this has gotten quite a bit off topic. I got my answer though, so i don't mind.