Panamanian border crossing

      Crossing the Costa Rica-Panama border proved to be a more daunting task than anticipated. While nearly everyone in Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo has been across the border to Panama at least once, each person seems to have a different view on how the system works. In our case, we simply wanted to cross the border for 30 minutes and visit the duty-free store in Panama. Initially, we believed that no stamps were required for a quick visit to the duty-free zone, but this was far from the truth. After much confusion and back-and-forth to different immigration desks, we discovered that a total of four stamps are needed to complete the process; exit of Costa Rica, entry to Panama, exit of Panama, and entry to Costa Rica. Exit fees are also included for both countries during this lengthy procedure. Ultimately, though, everything worked out fine for us and I was happy to cross another country off my list. 

     Immediately upon entry to Panama, the difference between the two countries is noticeable. Infrastructure in the Panamanian border town of Guabito is more run-down and less maintained than its neighboring town of Sixaola in Costa Rica. Visiting this area exposes you to the raw feeling of a poor, Central-American town. However, everyone there was nice and willing to help us. People make the most of what they have in places like these, and visiting Guabito made me realize how good we have it in the United States.