www.CostaRicaTicas.com

In my previous trips, I've just paid USD for everything. I'm planning a trip for the winter and I want to take advantage of the exchange rate. My local bank doesn't offer USD to CRC conversion, so I'm wondering if there is a popular place to order CRC online or if it's best to just wait until arriving in SJO?

It is probably best to wait until you arrive to Costa Rica.

The only online currency exchange I have ever found is Travelex. A quick look and they are offering 505 when exchanging a $1000. You probably can get another 10% by waiting until you arrive.

I would exchange at the bank on the departure level, if arriving during hours it is open, something like 8 am to 8 pm.

Or use your bank card and withdraw from an ATM.

I just had some friends who are visiting next week order Colones from their bank. They were told there were no fees involved so they got $2000.00 worth. The exchange rate they got was 532 so 1,064,000. I just got money from the ATM and the rate I got was 579.00. If I would have withdrawn 2000.00 I would have gotten 1,158,000 that's a difference of 94,000 Colones which translates to $176.00 worth of No Fees.

COLONIAL CASINO next to Del Rey has best exchange and very hassle free

The service center in Walmart and mas x menos changes money at the official rate.
The back desk at the colonial will change money up to 200$ or so. They assume you are gambling.

What rate is the del rey giving

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But mama, that's where the fun is

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Thanks!

In July Del Rey was 520 and Colonial was 575

The banks inside mas x menos, as already mentioned is giving great exchange rate. Think they gave 560, when the inter bank rate was 567 ... Which is really good

Only problem was they only change the entire amount. E.g I had 2×$100usd notes but wanted to only change $150.. They would only allow $200 in this case. Which will be a problem towards the end of my trip as I only was able to get $100 notes before leaving

They accepted a copy of my non-US passport as proof

Use your debit card at Banco Nacional and you do not need to worry about standing in line