www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Ok, a few questions here. First, I have about 14K in 100c (coins) that were left over from my last trip. Will a bank exchange these for paper money or with they look at me like a dumb @ss gringo?
Second, ATM use. Do I need to alert my bank that I am using this out of the country? I dont bring CC's any where just my atm card.
Last, How should I bring the money? Big bills or small? I was going to bring about $50 in clean $1's and then $20,50's. All the bills are new and crisp. I am only there for 3 nights so I am not packing a whole lot of cash...
M

DTA, you shouldn't have any problems exchanging coin for paper in CR.

ATM usage is a different matter. By all means notify your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling out of country on specific dates and will be using ATM's. Don't rely on one card for cash withdrawls, have a backup plan with another card. I had problems on my last trip with B of A, even after they where notified by phone several days before the trip. Also, request their international 800 number and keep it with your passport.

Your cash alocation is about right.

One other tip is to print a travelers cheat sheet from www.oanda.com, laminate it and keep it in your pocket. Its an exelent way to figure conversion rates. Have a great trip.

Papa Nut

_________________
The best revenge is living the good life!

I haven't had a problem with my ATM but have always notified the bank. Credit cards are another story. I notified American Express and had no problems but Citi Bank also notified two weeks prior shut my card off after the first use.

I had to call and get it restored. They apologized and said that you usually have to call after the first charge to verify usage. I didn't really like dealing with this as I had already notified them and it didn't seem to do any good. Also the international operator would put the call through collect which also upset me.

Keep your bank/credit card calling numbers handy and as Papa Nut said have a back up plan.

_________________
"Life isn't like a box of chocolates...it's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow." SP

DTA;
Something you might want to do, if you think you may look
like a dumb @$$ gringo with 14K of coins, when you get your
taxi at the little stand at the airport, pay for it in coins,
that would be better than making a special trip to the bank.
a pocket of 100 colon coins might be good to have, give
yourself some ammo for the street people
ShyOne

$20's and $50's are fine, $100's too. But why bring 50 $1 bills? It's sort of bulky.

The first thing you should do in San Jose is change some big bills to Colones so you can pay in the local currency. Having a few $5's and $1's may come in handy at the airport, or on the way home, but no need for 50 of them.

Unless you feel the need to tip in US$. Remember, Ticos don't tip, and if you really feel the need, Colones are the local currency.

I usually start getting rid of my 100 Colones coins a day or 2 before I leave. Those things seem to multiply on their own!

lf your staying at the presidente they will change money for you,in fact whenever i have too many coin's in my pocket's,i exchange them at the front desk for paper colones or dollar's....before i leave i do the same-thing, and use dollar's for cab-fare and the airport..........

I guess I'm just a cheap bastard, because by the time I get to the airport bank and exchange all my coins that I collected for the whole week it usually ends up paying for my exit tax.

This has been stated on other threads in the past, but to reiterate...don't
bring any large denomination bills with writing on them or tears/rips.
While some establishments in CR don't seem to mind as much, many
places will adamantly refuse to accept them. When exchanging large
amounts, most people check each bill for the above 'damage'. At first
I thought this practice was rather ridiculous, as some CR paper money,
especially the smaller denominations, is filty, literally falling apart and actually stinks. I've heard that the reason for the scrutiny is money laundering and/or counterfeiting. I understand it somewhat, but it can get ridiculous. On a couple of times I've had front desk clerks refuse to exchange $50 bills because they had a little pen writing on them.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

This has been stated on other threads in the past, but to reiterate...don't
bring any large denomination bills with writing on them or tears/rips.
While some establishments in CR don't seem to mind as much, many
places will adamantly refuse to accept them. When exchanging large
amounts, most people check each bill for the above 'damage'. At first
I thought this practice was rather ridiculous, as some CR paper money,
especially the smaller denominations, is filty, literally falling apart and actually stinks. I've heard that the reason for the scrutiny is money laundering and/or counterfeiting. I understand it somewhat, but it can get ridiculous. On a couple of times I've had front desk clerks refuse to exchange $50 bills because they had a little pen writing on them.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Here is one reason some foreign countries are so uptight about US money.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industrie ... oney_x.htm

Apparently Colombia is one of the worst offenders of counterfeiting US currency.

As for the coins, I use them to tip the maid each morning (just leave them on your pillow), the guy who makes the omeletes at the Prez and the waitresses.