Get to Costa Rica several ways. The first, go Commercial air, or wait an indefinite time for a hop from Howard Air Force Base - both ways could turn out relatively expensive - or take a civilian bus from Panama City. This is an adventure you will long remember! My trip was cut into two pieces. I first took a civilian bus from Panama City to David and about an hour or so from the Costa Rican border. This ride takes about 5 hours and the cost is $15.00. At David I took side trips to Armuelles on the Pacific coast and part of the Gulf of Chiriqui and another to Cerro Punta in the mountains. These trips are documented under Panama.

From David, I took another civilian bus to the "Frontier" - border crossing between Panama and Costa Rica. Here, you are obliged to walk from the Panama side of the border to the Costa Rican side. Your baggage is check first by the Panamanian Customs, then the Costa Rica Customs. To leave Panama, you must have a valid Visa so make sure this is done prior to the start of the trip.You can get that Visa prior to leaving the States at no cost (best) or you can get a 30-day tourist Visa upon arriving in Panama (cost $10.00). Your passport is properly exit-stamped by the Panamanians and entry-stamped by the Costa Ricans. There is no Visa required in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica. That's it! Just a dirty stop in the road!

The cost of the bus from the Frontier to San Jose' is about $5.41. The entire trip from Panama City was about $22.00. On return to Panama City I caught a "Tica" bus for about this amount but it was a through bus directly to Panama City, but you must take your luggage off the bus and again go thru the Customs routine when entering Panama.  Be prepared for an adventure in riding to San Jose' from the Frontier! The road is all paved - sort of. At least it was paved at one time but this road has been mostly neglected. You will find the mother of all potholes on this 2-lane road. Going across the mountain just prior to entering San Jose' calls for white knuckles and closed eyes! It is the only road that goes from the Panamanian border to San Jose'. The cost to San Jose' is about $15, and the trip takes about 10 hours. About 7 hours into the trip, we had to stop. There was amazingly some work being done on the road and we had to detour - through a pineapple plantation of all things! Pineapples were being harvested as we drove thru. Pineapples as far as you could see in all directions! Neat! 

I arrived in San Jose' around 2100 hours that night. I had made inquires about a hotel prior to leaving Panama City and was told that the "Park Hotel" at Calles 2 and Avenue 4 was inexpensive and English was spoken there as well. Took a taxi to the Park (the next day I discovered it was in walking distance from the Bus Terminal). This hotel/bar is owned and run by an American expatriate. Took a nice room there for $25.00 per night - again with all the things we are accustomed to in the states - hot water, private shower, 2 double beds, satellite TV, but no air conditioning! Why no air conditioning? Not needed! A big ceiling fan was provided and before morning, I had turned this off and gotten a blanket! I had a few drinks at the bar before turning in and enjoyed the final game of the '97 World Series live on excellent TV. Great atmosphere, lots of pretty girls, inexpensive drinks!

They are packaged in bundles of 50 (2 boxes) and shipped to Cuba where the cellophane wrappers and logos are placed on the individual cigars. Go directly to the factory and get these cigars (ask at the bar how to get there). A round trip taxi costs about $4.00. I bought 50 long cigars in a "plain brown paper wrapper" (no cellophane or logos) for about $36.00. I declared these cigars upon entering the US. The Custom Agent asked with a smile: "Are the cigars Cuban?" I replied, "Probably, but they were made and purchased in Costa Rica!" There was no problem getting these cigars into the US and really legally too! (It was apparent that the Custom Agent knew the story).