www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Which one of you guys is manipulating the exchange rate down there such that as of today a U.S. dollar is worth a mere 519 (or so) colones? I liked it a whole lot better when it was at 565 and more......

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

For Wikipedia's take on CR currency, see here (esp.Currency Peg at bottom): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rican_col%C3%B3n
This graph shows the gyrations this year: http://www.exchange-rates.org/history/CRC/USD/G
And finally a graph and some verbiage on a 30-year history (CRC vs. USD): http://www.cocori.com/general-information/xchng.htm

NOTE: None of the above pretends to answer Brother Steven1's question, just a little history. Incidentally, the CRC was officially pegged to the USD 'til 2005, after which it floated and was thus manipulable.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

The reason for the drop in one word: 'HOLIDAY' ---(4th of July) and more tourists and tourist dollars coming into the country! Happens almost every holiday.

Also, the week dollar and lack of confidance in the financial stability of the US government world wide does not help!

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

The other half of this story is--What's the real inflation rate in CR? In other words, what have the price increases been in the last year or so in what we have to pay for what we Mongers usually buy? I understand the Chicas are stable, trending downwards (insert joke HERE) but restaurant prices, hotel prices, the Vitamin prices? What's the story there? There was a huge upward spike in our buying power for a while but isn't it now coming down to an historic sustainable level? Or am I just being my usual realistic (for which read, "wet blanket") self?

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Neither.

The bottom line is that the exchange rate in CR is tied to nothing. Just like the rest of the Keystone Cop operation going on down there, it's done on whimsy and most certainly "USA holiday dates" can impact on it, but not to the extent that the stuff is getting jerked around right now.

I have kept every Mas X Menos receipt ever given; every Auto Mercado receipt; every SL bar receipt; every Key Largo receipt; written down every chica price for services rendered, etc., etc., etc. and graphed same against the exchange rates since 2006. It's a funny graph to view and that's about all. There is no semblance of reason relative to the corresponding price increases for the same item in the food stores and that's a fairly adequate barometer for me. Yes, I understand the very large majority don't use "those" food stores, using Central Market or even closer sources to the farmer, rancher, etc., but that's not really important to me.

It's a simple explanation, really: The rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer; the "middle class" is shrinking; and I'm good for a 2-5 week stay and then it's time to get back to HQ.....

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Graphing exchange rates? Kind of takes the fun out of it don't cha think?

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I believe in moderation in everything except excess.
I phuck 'em just to see the look on their face.
Klatu, berata, nicto.

Have no idea where you found that rate. Scotia Bank opened at buy 517/sell 529 and closed at 532/544 yesterday. All others, except the airport money exchange, were with a few colones of that rate.

For up to date exchange rates go to

http://indicadoreseconomicos.bccr.fi.cr ... nilla.aspx

That is the Banco Central Costa Rica site and reflects the current rate. Financial Institutions may change their rate during the day and they report it to BCCR who are said to change the website to reflect the new rate within 20 minutes of the reported change.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

532 at upstairs cambio in SJO today

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Why Chicas Come to CostaRica:

"Predators gather where prey abounds"

OK, so you guys have blown my "HOLIDAY" theory all to hell, at least for this holiday! But believe me I am not complaining! Living here and on a fixed income, any drop hurts, and any rise is great!

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

Brother BB57's "Holiday" theory still holds a lot of water, absent the unusual financial and meteorological conditions currently present. In English? The CR banks are complicit in attracting more tourism in these tough times and with one serious storm already threatening travel routes, want to be helping more tourists make the decision to "come on down". My theory anyway.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED