By A.M. Costa Rica staff
The National Customs Service, confirmed that it has extended the hours of attention to travelers going to the World Youth Day 2019 to be held in Panama*, between Jan. 22 and 30. The organization estimated the entry and exit of the country of more than 30,000 Central American pilgrims, and of other nationalities, who will travel to see Pope Francis in Panama.
Juan Carlos Gómez, general director of customs, said "we have been working with the Foreign Ministry to develop a strategic plan to facilitate the procedures for all those who will be traveling through the country towards the 2019 World Youth Day. We have invested many resources so that there is no impediment for the people who will attend the event, whether they travel in private vehicles or through transport companies to Panama "
According to the agency, in addition to the Central American pilgrims, more than 12,000 Costa Rican pilgrims also will attend this event and leave the country through the border posts of Paso Canoas*, Sixaola* and Sabalito*. Then it is estimated that more of 43,000 pilgrims will pass through these border posts by Jan. 30.
"Due to the number of pilgrims, the border posts will be reinforced with more personnel, and the hours will be extended to better serve the pilgrims," said the agency statement.
The extended schedules are:
In the custom post of Peñas Blancas*:
From to Jan. 17, extended hours until 11 p.m.
From Jan. 18 to 20, 24 hours a day.
From Jan. 21 to 27, extended hours until 11 p.m.
From Jan. 28 to 29, 24 hours a day.
From Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, extended hours until 11 p.m.
In the custom of Paso Canoas*:
From to Jan. 19, extended hours until 11 p.m.
From Jan. 20 to 22, 24 hours a day.
From Jan. 23 to 27, extended hours until 11 p.m.
From Jan. 28 to 30, 24 hours a day.
From Feb. 1 to 3, extended hours until 11 p.m.
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World Youth Day 2019 courtesy photo
World Youth Day 2019 to be held in Panama,
between Jan. 22 and 30.
Additionally, the Government and the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica, has prepared a guide for pilgrims, which includes detailed information on the requirements that pilgrims must complete, as follow:
- Have completed the immigration process before the corresponding Costa Rican authorities.
- Present the customs declaration of the traveler to the appropriate Costa Rican authority.
- Make the payment of exit taxes to the Republic of Panama before leaving the Costa Rican territory. The amount of the exit tax is U.S. $7.
In addition, the customs service raises the possibility of being exempt from the payment of taxes on purchases below $500. That exemption applied on the case of those who stayed at least 72 hours out of the Costa Rica and whop have not used that benefit during the previous six months.
All the requirements to travel to Panama apply for any pilgrim regardless of the means of transport, either air or land.
World Youth Day 2019 is an international Catholic event focused on religious youth, due to be celebrated from Jan. 22 to Jan. 27 in Panama. This event will allow the Catholic youth a closer encounter with Pope Francis.
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*Click on the blue letters to reach the place in google maps.
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