Delta's conditions of carriage permit Delta to refuse to transport passengers when... passenger lacks necessary documentation for international travel.

Delta.com

If your documentation isn't adequate or sufficient, we simply can't allow you to board our aircraft.

Frontier Airlines

 

Onward and Outbound Tickets

 

'Over 2500 people a day in the US (headed for international destinations) are detained in airports and many of those are one-way tickets. Costa Rica and the US work very closely, their computers are interfaced with suspected travelers, more so with those with one-way tickets!!!' 

Tico Times Directory

If you are traveling to Costa Rica on a one way ticket you are required to have verifiable proof of onward travel before boarding your flight or entering the country. Travelers without the proper documentation can be denied boarding their flight or entering the county. 

While in the past airlines were more relaxed with the rules and customs more lenient airlines currently are stringently enforcing Costa Rica's entrance policy requiring tourists to have proof of a return or onward ticket before boarding their flight, and local immigration officers have been denying entrance to travelers who do not meet the entry requirements.

To avoid being denied boarding your flight or entering the country you can purchase an onward bus ticket through A Safe Passage online and satisfy Costa Rica's entrance requirement. Once we receive all the requirements we need to proceed the process will take 24-48 hours  We purchase bus tickets to all the international destinations Tica Bus, TransNica, Nica Expreso and Tracopa serve.

Costa Rica Entry Requirements

Customs and immigration require certain documents for travel to and from a foreign country. It is the traveler's responsibility to travel with the required documents. No refunds will be made if improper documentation results in denied boarding or entry.' Travelocity

'For entry into Costa Rica, a U.S. citizen must present valid passport that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival, and a roundtrip/outbound ticket. Airlines should not permit passengers to board flights to Costa Rica without a roundtrip ticket unless they have Costa Rican residency or visa.  Passports should be in good condition; Costa Rican immigration may deny entry if the passport is damaged in any way. 

Costa Rican authorities generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to ninety days; to stay longer, travelers must submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Tourists who stay more than ninety days without receiving an extension may experience a delay at the airport when departing or may be denied entry to Costa Rica on future visits.'  US Department of State

The Experts and The Experienced

Many websites and blogs suggested that a forwarding ticket isn't needed nor checked for very often. This may have been true in the past, but when I flew from Frankfurt in early January2010, I was stopped and checked three different times for a forwarding ticket. Luckily I had a bus ticket to Nicaragua thanks to A Safe Passage.  Lindsey

I was not allowed to fly to Costa Rica because I only have a one way ticket... I have been sleeping in the airport for three days this will be my fourth!  Thank you for your help in resolving the problem!  Sahar 

....airlines don’t always question your one-way ticket upon check in; but sometimes they do and will DEMAND the purchase of a ticket out of Costa Rica within the 90 days (this can be VERY costly when unexpected so, have a credit card handy) before letting you board the plane. travelcostaricanow.com

The question is always something like this: “I have heard I cannot fly to Costs Rica using a one-way ticket.” My answer is, as always, “No, you can NOT unless you are a citizen of Costa Rica or have in your possession a valid and current residency ID card (cedula) proving that you live here. If you try, you will almost assuredly not be permitted to board the plane. If you do make it on board, you may well get caught at THIS end by immigration. Airlines are required to verify that any person attempting to fly and using a one way ticket is, in fact, a legal resident of Costa Rica. Most airlines (read that as all) try to follow the procedure religiously as they are faced not only with large potential fines, but also for paying for the return flight for the passenger when he is refused entry in Costa Rica.  therealcostarica.com

Costa Rican immigration often asks for proof of onward travel …in eight years of traveling I have only been asked at immigration if I had an onward ticket twice. Once was coming into England, and the other time was yesterday in Costa Rica. vagabondjourney.com

 

A Safe Passage

The safest, fastest and easiest way to get from the airport and to your Costa Rica destination.

 

Costa Rica Bus Tickets

Email: rchoice@racsa.co.cr

Telephone: 011.506.8365.9678  / 2440.2414