A Family’s Costa Rica Border Run: Real Customer Story From Peñas Blancas

Border runs are a normal part of life for many long-term visitors in Costa Rica. When you stay beyond your initial visa period, you often need to cross into a neighboring country, refresh your tourist stay, and return.

One of our customers recently shared their family’s experience renewing their visas at the Peñas Blancas border crossing, one of the most commonly used border crossing routes between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Here’s their story, in their own words.

Letter from a Happy Customer

“We did our border run to renew our visas at the Peñas Blancas border crossing, the main land route between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, located on the Pan-American Highway. This was on a Sunday. Previously, we had used a different border crossing at Los Chiles, but the border guards there were quite grumpy and told us we should apply for residency, or next time they would only give us 90 days.

We were all awake at 5 AM and picked up by our van driver from Pura Vida Rides. After a five-hour drive, with a few bathroom stops, we arrived at the Peñas Blancas border.

We used the tickets produced on Fast Onward Ticket as our proof of onward travel, which is required. The border control officer looked at the documents, nodded, and everything was in order.

My 13-year-old son, who was tired after standing in line for several hours and waking up at 5 AM, accidentally made a funny gaffe. Previously he hung back while my wife and I dealt with the officials, but this time he commented loudly, “Wow! These onward tickets really work!” The border guard paused, looked up, shook his head, smiled, and continued filling out our visa paperwork. We got our six-month visas renewed and were on our way back to San José.

I think my heart jumped out of my throat, but everything worked out. Pura Vida!”

Planning Your Own Border Run or International Trip?

If you need proof of onward travel for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, or any other country, Fast Onward Tickets creates instant, verifiable onward travel documents delivered straight to your inbox.

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