www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Slim.....Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Could save you some aggravation. This is what I always do. Be sure to bring your ORIGINAL passport along with you to the bank.....they will ask for it. Also...be sure to count your colones before leaving the teller window. They will give you a computer print-out showing the exchange rate and how many colones you are entitled to. I had been going to a teller that I trusted, and he counted out my money very quickly....sure enough, he screwed me out of 10,000 colones. I discovered it after I returned to the hotel.

Zebra

My last trip in dec. the girls prefered colonies. I always pay for everything in colonies.

OK, guys, before I get a lot of grief, I am in NO WAY SAYING THAT ONE SHOULD NOT BE CAREFULL, but damn I must be one LUCKY SOB.

I constantly hear stories of guys getting cheated by ATMs and or bank tellers, or cajas in casinos or hotels, or clerks in stores. Actually I have had ALL THESE things happen to me IN THE STATES, BUT NEVER HERE!! Maybe tomorrow I know these things happen here, but I can not help but wonder how much of it is carelessness on the part of the individual, letting people know "hey I am a gringo and therefore an easy mark", or just an accidental mistake that the person did not catch until too late and then blamed it on the ATM or clerk.

Two times I have walked out of a store without getting my change (talking and not paying attention). One time the clerk followed me out of the store to give me my change; the other time, I not only left the change, but also a small package, and did not even realize what I had done . Two days later I was walking down the street and someone grabed me from behind. It was the clerk telling me the store had my package and change. Damn, WITH ALL THE DISHONEST TICOS HERE , I MUST be lucky!!!!

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Two follow-up questions:

1. What is the ATM fee at the HDR?

2. Do you (anyone) prefer to bring cash from the U.S. to cover your
expenses or do you bring limited cash and rely on ATMs for the bulk
of your spending money?

To each his own but hell yes why complicate things? Get a money belt and bring clean 100 bills no CB serial #, upon arrival hit the airport bank upstairs and exchange 10-15 bills for 500-750k colones, go to hotel and put in safe, let party begin. No need to bother with ATMs daily or standing in line at a bank, besides who has time for that? Yo no!

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

The ATM fee for me was $0.75. If you use the dollar ATM machine, you can only withdraw in multiples of $200, but you can keep withdrawing.

_________________
Join me or die! Can you do any less?