That's pretty normal. I got all my cash counted at customs twice last year in central/South America. The social medicine and socialized countries are getting over run with aging boomers moving there to take advantage of medical care.  CAJA recently got raised from about $80/mo-ish for Tico folks to nearly double.. because of American boomer expats. A lot of socialized countries will do this to keep out American retiree expat squatters and perpetual tourists. (Who are also the most awful, cruel, entitled people in any country, hands down.)