On our recent visit to Papagayo Beaches went to pay the entry fee and the attendant pointed to our collection of previous tickets on the car dash and tried to communicate with us in Spanish, he took 3 of the old tickets and gave me my entry fee back so it appears that if you collect 3 tickets the forth visit is free. We also found out that the ticket is valid all day so you can leave and then go back as all the tickets are date stamped.

This is true - it's also always free for residents!

http://www.grupoestupendo.com

Apparently now they want five tickets to let you in for free. But the resident thing is "stretchable". I got my NIE (fiscal) number in 1997 and I always bring my paper to prove it. I am not a resident but I get in for free. Just recently learned that showing up a spanish credit card is good enough too..... Guess it depends on who is at the gate......