www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I do not have a BOC debit card
But I just got my local bank statement
While in SJ in Feb I used my local bank atm card at Scotia Bank by Presidente cost to me $2.64 per 200,000c guess I got an OK bank

Ripped off with exit tax fee, I was also hit with an extra fee when I used my credit card to pay the exit tax. According to my credit card company that tax is paid as a cash advance from your credit card. So they charge you extra fees and higher interest rates. Also if you pay in Colonies they convert back to dollars at not the going rate. So pay your exit tax in US Dollars only.

VISA debit cards are accepted at most of the ATM's. There are some nice BCR machines in the mall across from the New York Bar. They offer English and you can get Colonies or US Dollars.

MasterCard is only accepted at National Bank of Costa Rica. There are several of them in San Jose and at the San Padro Mall. If you use the ATM at the mall only use the machine on the left. The machine on the right will not complete the transaction, it is only for National Bank customers.

Regarding the ATM at the Del Rey, like the machines at night clubs there is a flat fee to use the machine. At times it is low on cash and is not filled like the Bank ATM's. I have not used the machine there for 2 years now, so maybe they are doing better. Since the good ATM's are less then a block away, I prefer to use those. They often have guards there.

The last time I was in CR (2007), when I returned to the states months later, I noticed that the charged me fees to use the HSBC machines in CR. I brought this to the attention of the local branch in the states and they removed these fees. I later closed that account down for another reason. I had another account with Washington Mutual that was feeless with a good exchange rate.

I am planning another long sabatical in Costa Rica. While researching banking options, I found PNC claims to not charge fees for oversees withdrawals. I opened an account with them today.

I had spoken to HSBC on the phone today and they claim that each country incorporates its own HSBC and they act as separate banks. The ATM fees would be $1.50 + 3%.

I would like to know if anybody has had any recent experience with Chase (was WAMU) and PNC in CR ATMs. Do they both let you withdraw without fees at a good exchange rate?

Thanks

Chase will charge you a 3% currency exchange rate (if you withdraw colones )plus a $2.00 non Chase ATM fee. About $11.00 on a $300.00 withdraw.
I went to the DR and withdrew dollars from their ATM and was only charged the $2.00 non Chase ATM fee. The Del Rey does not charge a fee.
This was in May, so all bets are off on the fees banks are charging now.

As log as your debit card has a Visa or mastercard logo on it you will not have any problems with ATM's world wide. You will be charged for not using a BOA ATM and an international bank card charges will appear on your bank statement. You should call your bank before traveling abroad to make sure your card is not declined. I always travel with cash and exchange it at the airport or Del Ray but your Mileage my vary. Like suggested before your paper trail started when your passport is swiped at the airport leaving the U.S. and returning to the U.S., its called the Patriot Act and big brother is watching whether you like it or not.

Zeus

If you withdraw from the BCR machine across from Morazon, there should be no fee.BCR is the partner bank of B of A. I stick with B of A because of all the partner banks they have.Lots of ways to get cash easy everywhere.Saves me alot of hastle in LOS and Indonesia especially.

From the B Of A Website

Withdrawals, deposits, transfers, payments and balance inquiries made at ATMs in foreign countries outside of the Global ATM Alliance will be charged a $5.00 fee. In addition, an International Transaction Fee will be charged for ATM card and check card transactions made for foreign purchases or ATM cash withdrawals in currency other than U.S. Dollars, regardless of whether or not the transaction occurred at an ATM in a country covered in the Global ATM Alliance. The International Transaction Fee will be 3% of the U.S. Dollar amount for each converted purchase or 1% of the U.S. Dollar amount for each converted ATM cash withdrawal. This International Transaction Fee will appear as a separate item on your banking statement for each international transaction.

Keep in mind
To make using foreign ATMs as problem-free as possible, please be aware of the following:

Some foreign ATMs are only available during normal business hours
Not all foreign ATMs offer instructions in English
If you are unable to use a foreign ATM, you may be able to use your ATM card or check card to withdraw funds at a local bank

Be aware when using ATMs and check cards outside the United States

Here are some tips to help you safely use ATMs and check cards in foreign countries:

Know your network: If a Global Alliance ATM is not available, check to see what network your card is in. Your card is linked to one of the two largest networks worldwide: Visa (Plus) or MasterCard (Cirrus/Maestro). Your card will work with ATMs displaying the Visa (Plus) and MasterCard (Cirrus/ Maestro) logos.
Research the country: Please research your arrival country to verify whether you will be able to use your ATM card or check card before you leave for your destination.
Understand the types of fees charged: Fees may be incurred for using the ATM, and there is also a currency conversion fee. To help reduce the frequency of fees, it is usually better to use larger transactions rather than multiple smaller ones.
Make sure your PIN is valid: Many countries only allow four-digit PINs, so you may need to get a new PIN before you start your trip if your current PIN is longer. Also, make sure that your PIN has no letters. If you have letters in your PIN, call your bank and ask them translate the letters into numbers.
Withdraw during business hours: Some international ATMs only operate during business hours. Some banks also only update transactions during normal business hours. This means that if you withdraw the maximum per day amount on Friday, you won’t be able to withdraw cash again until the bank updates their records on Monday.
Have a backup plan: Just in case you can’t get access to an ATM, have an alternative means of making purchases, such as using foreign currency, travelers cheques or a credit card.
Be safe when travelling abroad
The U.S. State Department provides country specific information including travel warnings, restrictions and public announcements issued by the U.S. government to its citizens.

Zeus

I'm not one to ask that this, that or t'other be made a sticky but an edited version of Brother Zeus's post surely rates consideration. Kudos, Bro.

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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

Thanks for your posts on ATM's. After reading what you all pay, I feel fortunate.

My card has worked in every ATM. I had it eaten by a Banco nacional machine, but recovered it the next day. I found out that because I made three purchases, two in the Atlanta airport and one in Juan Santamaria, that the STAR network tagged it for possible fraud activity. They actually called my US number twice before they tagged it.

I call the credit union before I leave, and they let the network know. I haven't used it other than ATM... I get a lower fee from Banco de Costa Rica then the others, and lower if I get colonies rather than dollars.

Generally, I carry dollars, then withdraw colonies as I need them...I avoid exchanging currency.

This link might be able to provide answers to your questions. https://www.bankofamerica.com/index.jsp

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Every ATM I've gone to, including BCR, has charged me $5 to withdraw in dollars. There's an additional fee to withdraw in colones.

You can login to your BofA online banking and change your daily atm withdrawal and spending limits. Max ATM wtithdrawal limit is $1500, and max POS limit is $5,000.

I only use BCR and BAC to withdraw, as they'll give me $700 at a time. I've never tried the Scotia in Escazu, as I'm rarely in that part of town.

I think if you look closely that $5.00 fee for drawing USD and the additional fee for withdrawing a foreign currency were imposed by the issuer of your credit/debit card not by the owner of the ATM machine. FYI Scotia has started charging $1.50 for using their ATM while BAC-San Jose which uses the same network, Red Total, do not charge a use fee.

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

Get a Schwab one debit card; no fees

Hank,

That's what I have, and one of their customer reps assured me that there would be no fees (or at least they would be refunded end of the month as they are for the domestic ATMs). I'm guessing you've had no issues in CR or paying the exit tax with it?

I'm debating on whether to do about half cash, half ATM still...

they used to be partners with Scotia Bank in some ATM alliance, BoA debit was free to use at Scotia ATMs but this is not the case anymore, Costa Rica was removed from the program.. They probably realized how much loot they were missing out on, 5 bucks a pop was adding up so much for me I had to get a different checking account.