" I have worked with many consulates in the past 20 years and this is the absolute worst. Forget being able to talk to a person because you need an appointment. But they don't answer phones so you can make on. Use the web site and they may answer in 15 business days. Can not leave messages by phone or email. You can't go there personally because they won't let you in without an appointent. Government at its finest. Pray you never need them in a hurry. "
31 October 2017
Anynomous
" For most things, you have to have an appointment. This is almost impossible to do on the phone because it is almost impossible to talk to a real human being. They keep insisting that you do it by computer and that can be a real pain in the neck. Once you do get it all arranged, the embassy itself, is a piece of cake. Pen's, All Electronics, any sharp objects, and lighters must be left at the front desk before you go in. The best thing to do, is just carry the bare necessities when you go in. I have always found the personnel there to be courteous and helpful. "
24 June 2017
Anynomous
" Good service and fast and nice repenstive people on phone call. Very informative "
03 March 2017
Anynomous
" Make sure to take some reading material in with you as they do not allow electronic devices inside. I went to pick up my passport which should have onlu 10-15 mins but took almost an hour because there was only 1 person servicing the side we were on and there was not that many people waiting. They do take pictures that are required for passports and such outside which is useful. Also from where I was sitting (which was not close) I could hear the people at the windows getting told if their visa was approved or not, such a thing should really be private. "
18 February 2017
Anynomous
" Really couldn't be happier with my experience there. My passport was stolen in San Jose, and the Embassy was excellent every step of the way in helping me get a new provisional one. They were quick about communicating with me and offering advice before I came in. Once I arrived there, everyone was very courteous and helpful. I had a new passport in my hand with 90 minutes of getting there. Much better experience than I had anticipated! "
21 December 2016
Anynomous
" Disgraceful service both by phone even if you get lucky and someone picks up out of 20 tries. In person a bit better "help" but still incompetence and rudeness everywhere - very sad.
Semper Fi "
16 November 2016
Anynomous
" Our Embassy in Costa Rica is a complete embarrassment!
Everyone there is rude including the few Americans that are there.
Visas are given based upon the mood of the examiners!
I've talked to people should never get one and they do and those that should get a visa don't!
I have a friend who has a daughter who needs a very serious operation.
There is a doctor in the US who will do it for free since they can't do it here!
She only needs a 30 day visa!
She has been turned down 2 times!
This is wrong!
I'm sure no one at the Embassy cares about this site! "
23 May 2016
Anynomous
" I have lived in Costa Rica for 13 years and my experiences at the Embassy have always been, "OK". The lines, like any embassy are long and the wait time for service is long too BUT, it would not be so bad if there were actually people working the whole time at the "Windows" or if the information provided was consistent. I have spent more time sitting in front of an empty service counter watching Animal Planet with no volume than I have seen people working and tending to the often dozen or two people in seated and standing. When it comes to paying for services rendered, the attendant is on cue. If the staff is busy attending to lost and missing passports and the paperwork they must complete on their end, why not hire people to do this so you can have the lines go quicker and probably get more work done on a daily basis. Those on the other side of the window have jobs and places to be as well. Minimum wait time for me has been 4 hours. On one occasion I did meet an amazing woman who helped me get a last minute Passport issued without paying the extra fee. She understood that I live in a remote area that can be cut off from the rest of the country during which was then the rainy season, and could not physically get to the embassy to fulfill the requirements of my then expired temporary Visa. It was a very stressful time as I was trying to get to a family wedding and she understood and sympathized with me. This was really the only time I have seen/experienced the "human touch" at this Embassy. So like I say, it's OK. They do their jobs, smile as needed but most recently when I needed emergency services that the Embassy would have provided (I needed a Rabies shot), I did not bother or waste my time...just knowing what awaited me there, I preferred to go anywhere else. The hassle and attitude was just not worth it in a desperate time. "
Anynomous
" I have worked with many consulates in the past 20 years and this is the absolute worst. Forget being able to talk to a person because you need an appointment. But they don't answer phones so you can make on. Use the web site and they may answer in 15 business days. Can not leave messages by phone or email. You can't go there personally because they won't let you in without an appointent. Government at its finest. Pray you never need them in a hurry. "
31 October 2017Anynomous
" For most things, you have to have an appointment. This is almost impossible to do on the phone because it is almost impossible to talk to a real human being. They keep insisting that you do it by computer and that can be a real pain in the neck. Once you do get it all arranged, the embassy itself, is a piece of cake. Pen's, All Electronics, any sharp objects, and lighters must be left at the front desk before you go in. The best thing to do, is just carry the bare necessities when you go in. I have always found the personnel there to be courteous and helpful. "
24 June 2017Anynomous
" Good service and fast and nice repenstive people on phone call. Very informative "
03 March 2017Anynomous
" Make sure to take some reading material in with you as they do not allow electronic devices inside. I went to pick up my passport which should have onlu 10-15 mins but took almost an hour because there was only 1 person servicing the side we were on and there was not that many people waiting. They do take pictures that are required for passports and such outside which is useful. Also from where I was sitting (which was not close) I could hear the people at the windows getting told if their visa was approved or not, such a thing should really be private. "
18 February 2017Anynomous
" Really couldn't be happier with my experience there. My passport was stolen in San Jose, and the Embassy was excellent every step of the way in helping me get a new provisional one. They were quick about communicating with me and offering advice before I came in. Once I arrived there, everyone was very courteous and helpful. I had a new passport in my hand with 90 minutes of getting there. Much better experience than I had anticipated! "
21 December 2016Anynomous
" Disgraceful service both by phone even if you get lucky and someone picks up out of 20 tries. In person a bit better "help" but still incompetence and rudeness everywhere - very sad.
16 November 2016Semper Fi "
Anynomous
" Our Embassy in Costa Rica is a complete embarrassment!
23 May 2016Everyone there is rude including the few Americans that are there.
Visas are given based upon the mood of the examiners!
I've talked to people should never get one and they do and those that should get a visa don't!
I have a friend who has a daughter who needs a very serious operation.
There is a doctor in the US who will do it for free since they can't do it here!
She only needs a 30 day visa!
She has been turned down 2 times!
This is wrong!
I'm sure no one at the Embassy cares about this site! "
Anynomous
" I have lived in Costa Rica for 13 years and my experiences at the Embassy have always been, "OK". The lines, like any embassy are long and the wait time for service is long too BUT, it would not be so bad if there were actually people working the whole time at the "Windows" or if the information provided was consistent. I have spent more time sitting in front of an empty service counter watching Animal Planet with no volume than I have seen people working and tending to the often dozen or two people in seated and standing. When it comes to paying for services rendered, the attendant is on cue. If the staff is busy attending to lost and missing passports and the paperwork they must complete on their end, why not hire people to do this so you can have the lines go quicker and probably get more work done on a daily basis. Those on the other side of the window have jobs and places to be as well. Minimum wait time for me has been 4 hours. On one occasion I did meet an amazing woman who helped me get a last minute Passport issued without paying the extra fee. She understood that I live in a remote area that can be cut off from the rest of the country during which was then the rainy season, and could not physically get to the embassy to fulfill the requirements of my then expired temporary Visa. It was a very stressful time as I was trying to get to a family wedding and she understood and sympathized with me. This was really the only time I have seen/experienced the "human touch" at this Embassy. So like I say, it's OK. They do their jobs, smile as needed but most recently when I needed emergency services that the Embassy would have provided (I needed a Rabies shot), I did not bother or waste my time...just knowing what awaited me there, I preferred to go anywhere else. The hassle and attitude was just not worth it in a desperate time. "
16 April 2015