I find I have no acceptable reason for extending my visa by more than thirty days. Student? Business? Visiting family? No. After the initial thirty days I am required to leave the country, and upon returning can receive a fifteen day extension. Border runs can supposedly be repeated indefinitely, but the cost and long journey would become a burden once the novelty waned.
Flying into Thailand is not as simple as I thought it would be. I did not know that most countries will not allow someone to arrive with a one way ticket. Because I do not know when I am to leave Thailand, or by what method (train, bus, plane), I do not want to tie myself to a date and place of departure. The cost of the ticket, ~$1200, is also more than I would like to pay, especially since flying to Costa Rica costs ~$450.
Because Thailand does not want tourists staying longer than thirty days, it may not fit my needs. The cost of border runs would deplete my savings faster than if I stayed at home.
I studied details of travel in Costa Rica and found things more encouraging - a ninety day visa and cheap airfare has Thailand beat. However, the cost of living in Costa Rica is equal to that of living in the USA. Leaving my comfort zone and learning Spanish and immersing myself in a new culture can lead to positive growth.
One of the reasons I want to visit Thailand is to learn about their Buddhist culture. I don't know anything about the religious culture in Costa Rica, but my initial guess is that the Buddhist tradition is not as strong as in the East.
Having a nice place to live in a beautiful town has me considering my best plan of action is no action. If my leisure time can be maximized by remaining in Urbana, then not leaving may be the best choice.
To go or not to go?
