www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Rac is right. The 'advertised' conversion rate is a 'blended' average rate of all banks offering 'their' rate. Similar to how the 'national average mortgage rate' is a blend of different rate offerings at that exact time.

You have no guarantee of getting that exact rate, but may get a slightly better one, or a slightly worse one.

On my last trip, the 'rate' was 551, and I received 549 at the airport, and 3 days later I received 547 at Colonial.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

So that difference is $3.65 on $1000. USD. or 36 cents on $100.

Remember that one colone equals about 1/5 of a U.S. penny.

That's why we see those aluminum 5 colone coins all over the sidewalks of San Jose.

my most recent trip 6 nights cocal 1 night del rey
Wall mart exchanged $400 got 546-1 passport required
Scotia bank jaco changed $400 545-1 passport required
cocal was exchanging at 500-1 and hoarding dollars only colons given back as change could not change usd for usd ie. would not make change for $100 in usd.
cocal raised price of local beer from 2000 to 2100
del rey exchange was acceptable at 530-1

Maybe it is because I live here and am old and have nothing but time, but I just do not understand all the fuss and "I'm right- he's wrong" crap about changing money here. I am in banks or someplace changing money 3-4 times EVERY MONTH and have done so for 8 years.

Airport: If you want to take the time and you are arriving during business hours, you can change money before leaving the Airport--is fairly convenient, fairly fast, gives bank rate * (see below about banks). Be sure to avoid the Global exchange booth -vary bad exchange rate.

Hotels: All hotels charge an unannounced "convenience tax" which will cost you around c25-c35 per dollar changed--$5-$7 per hundred changed. It is usually very convenient and fast. Only you as an individual can decide if it is worth the cost.

Banks: There are 3 "national" banks in Costa Rica-they each work independent of the other two and seldom will any two have the same exchange rate. There are about 15 different "private" banks each offering their own exchange rate. Some will actually maybe be 1 or 2 points higher than the National banks. Some will be slightly lower. The range between the lowest bank and the highest bank will seldom be more than about c5 per dollar. The rate of any bank can and does change regularly (sometimes more than once in a day). Yes you must have your passport, not a copy. Yes there will almost always be a wait-over the last 8 years I have had to maybe wait more than 10 minutes once a year on average. And at many of the banks you now get a number and set down for the wait. For me, certainly no big deal!! For those of you who feel it is too much "wasted" time, all I have to say is "SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY LIFE!!! "PURA VIDA"!!!!! RELAX AND ENJOY LIFE AND YOUR VACATION-DON'T TRY TO PLAN EVERY MINUTE-HELL IN COSTA RICA IT IS BEST NOT TO PLAN ANYTHING"!! There are many lcations. BCR (a National bank) has a branch across Ave. 1 from Hotel Morazon. Another BCR is located on Ave12 and calle 9 (7 blocks south of the REY). There is a branch in the INS building on the North side of parque Espania. All bank locations will have ATMs. All BCR branches will have some ATMs that only give colonies and 1 or 2 that will give dollars or colones. (will be a small sign telling you if it gives dollars). Many of the other banks will only have ATMs that dispense colones.

Servimas: Located in almost all WALMART own stores (Walmart, MasXMenos, Pali). Hours are generally 8am till 8 or 9 pm. (shorter hours on Sundays). Their exchange rate is tied to ScotiaBank and will always be the same as that bank. The nice thing is Scotia usually is equal to and sometimes higher than the national banks. A passport copy is sufficient for changing up to around $400. Over $400 they will sometimes ask for your passport. Drawback is there is only one MasXMenos location close to/in the gulch and the Servimas is almost always busy. Line normally moves fast and seldom takes more than 10-15 minutes; often less. The closest Walmart is in Guadalupe and about a c1500-c2000 ride from the gulch. Closest Pali is at the south end of the Barrio Chino walking street (about 9 blocks straight down calle9 from the REY ).

Colonial Casino: Usually the easiest and fastest source and always very close (1 or 2 points) of the bank rates. No ID required. seldom a line-never more than 1 or 2 people. Will change up to $300-$400 sometimes $500 in twenties. $100 bills, they will often only change one and the pit boss (or some supervisor) must check the bill. There are two cajas, one close to the Ave.1 entrance; the other towards the back--always go to the one at the back. If they see you enter and go straight to the caja at the front, they will seldom change your money! The money exchange is for customers who are gambling, not for everyone coming in off the street!!!

NOW, take this info and make up your own mind as to what is best for YOU!!! Don't worry about what someone else says is best (for them). BUT, DO use colonies as much as possible anywhere here. ALL business, taxis, etc. will give you a lower than bank rate and over a week's time, this can amount to the price of 1-2 or more (especially in MPs) sessions!!!

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

Sort of defeats the whole point of using this forum, doncha think? I want opinions, even on something as drole as where to convert currency.

I hear ya with the 'slow down' thing, but my vacation cannot reach the fevered 'Pura Vida' pitch if I don't have colones in my pocket. And what that guy described as having to dress specifically, being checked at the door, taking a number and having to wait (and carry your actual passport) ... bud! That fits this humble Dwarf's definition of "far right of 'Pura Vida'".

I use the airport *because* it is open when I get there. I realize some do not have this option, and at that point I can understand dealing with the bank queue if you are doing a one-time conversion in excess of what Colonial would take.

For me, my vacation doesn't start until all of the *work* is out of the way. And that 15 minutes in a bank line is a Calle Seis session .... dammit!

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

THANK YOU BB57!

XLNT information as usual. +1

I forgot to add one thing; I do not know where the "no shorts' idea came from. I have seen guys in shorts in the banks here many, many times . The "no caps, no sunglasses, no cell phone use" are very standard. And not just banks but many places of business in many Latin American countries "wand' you when entering. Hell even Zona2 does this here-never will understand the attitude that this is somehow degrading to Gringos!!!! When was the last time you heard of a bank robbery here/ when was the last time in the states?? And in the States most of those banks are insured by the government (your tax dollars)

And my post and comments were not to deter opinions, but to say that no one person is totally correct in their opinion of what is best, except (maybe ) for themselves!!. Opinions should be to give options, not to condemn others for having a different opinion based on their circumstances, and to give the OP the options so he can decide for himself what will work best for HIM!! Opinions should be just that, opinions!! Not "this is the right way, and ONLY way; and any other way is wrong"!!

As for having to have your passport, I agree that is kind of bullshit!! I have argued many times with the National banks here that the Costa Rican governments even advises us to not carry our passports but instead a color copy, and yet the banks owned by the same government requires us to carry our passport in order to do business with them (the government) Kind of defeatist to say the least since ladrons (robbers) will assume you are leaving the bank with a lot of cash, and your passport (a valuable item on the black market here.)!!

OH, and I personally use whatever of the above (except the airport because it is only an option if you are at the airport) options is most convenient at the moment for ME!

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

BangBang, both your posts are very informative. I agree that our forum should be an expression of opinions without attacks and degrading comments. I don't understand why someone can't take 15 minutes out of their trip to go to the bank, but that is their prerogative.

I exchange money at the BCR in the INS building almost every trip. I have never had to show my passport, only a color copy. I usually exchange $200-$300, so that may be the reason they don't ask for my passport. I was there last week. I think my number was about 13 from the ones being served, and I was finished within 15 minutes of the time I went in. I like that branch because it is very close to whatever hotel I am staying at, thus not so much risk in carrying more money than usual.

GDJ, no one attacked or degraded anyone else's comments (at least I don't read it as such).

There is nadda wrong with using a bank. I (and here we go with disclaimers) IN MY HUMBLE OPINION do not see a benefit in going to exchange money where you must wait until they are open, make sure you are dressed appropriately, deal with a 10 second wanding at the door, take a number and sit and wait, and then present my passport that by advisory from both my government and the CR government should *NOT* be in my pocket, but should be secured in my room safe.

To me, (IMHO again), that is more of a hassle than just walking into Colonial Casino at any hour of the night, wearing anything I see fit, not being wanded, not waiting in a line, and not being required to display a passport. I have never spent more than 5 minutes in the place, and that included the bathroom break.

I agree with you that a reply should have options for readers, and that is what my original post provided. However, I was called an attack poster because I stated an opinion that the posters methods (similar to yours) are more of a hassle than what I typically do.

I use the airport for several reasons:
1. I am already there
2. I already have my passport on me (having not yet reached a room safe)
3. the bank at the airport is open when I arrive
4. I buy my exit stamp immediately, so I am 3 steps from the bank window
5. I have never had more than 1 person in front of me
6. I have a driver taking me directly to my room safe with my new-gotten colones.

This works for me, and (like you) I cannot understand why someone would not want to use this method (unless it is too late, or they are taking a public bus into town).

But, the beauty of Costa Rica ... T.E.H.O. We all have means and methods that we like, and we can each share our opinions in a common thread to the benefit of potential first-time travelers.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

I'd be surprised if it takes me more than ONE MINUTE to get 50 mil or 100 mil or 200 mil from the ATM at the BCR branch across Ave. 1 from the Morazon.

As I've said here before, I use a Schwab ATM card that is TOTALLY free of fees, and uses a good exchange rate. That is my only connection with Schwab.

I don't need to carry my passport, or get wanded, or use more than ONE MINUTE to exchange money in SJ. If I loose my card, I have a backup.

absolutely Rac, but I have had cards fail on me when on vacation, so I do not trust them anymore.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Hey Bash............

absolutely Rac, but I have had cards fail on me when on vacation, so I do not trust them anymore.[/quote]


My dick has failed me when on vacation, but I keep it up anyway.

I have a backup for my card - - - - - for my dick, NO.

Guys, its not a matter of "right or wrong" - well, it kinda is - for example, Bang, as a resident, Obviously you are not going to go to the airport bank. But 99% of visitors arrive by air.

And its so aparant that the easiest, most convenient way to go is go to the airport bank, exchange, buy your exit visa, then continue on to your hotel.

John, 15 min's in a Costa Rican bank that you don't have to use; taking the time to do so - and the - I'll grant you, slight - risk of being spotted and robbed - my question is why f.u.c.k. with it? Also, John - your copy served as your passport - you showed a copy of it, just not the original.

These are all secondary options, none as good as the afore mentioned airport one, and I don't think its a simple matter of taste, or preference. If I strongly disagree, its not a personal attack - I'm sure you are a good guy, and Bang is a personal friend - I just think the best way - well, for everyone, but especially new guys - is the way I and others described it.

I arrived on a Spirit flight out of FLL after midnight a few trips ago and obviously the airport bank was closed, so I used the one across from the Morazon Hotel - all it did was reinforce my opinion that Costa Ricans are used to shitty service and ineffiency - at the airport bank, I get what I need and its over and I'm on my way.

The other options mentioned are great as secondary sources - the better way - and the reasons given why the airport bank is BETTER are valid.

Seems like if you are going to disagree in any way, or forcefully stand up for your opinion it makes you negative - not really talking about you John, but Redfield posted a really crazy <ie bad> way to do things and, I guess, expected to be validated for his post, as well as his suttle, cunning humor

Just b/c some one has another way to do something does not make it better. I just think this is one of those issues that the best answer is right in front of us.

actually, it does. There is no reason to forcefully stand up for an opinion. Red didn't do this, Bhuey didn't do it either.


I think Red's plan will work fine for him. I don't see it as crazy or bad.


The best answer is "whatever makes you happy". I do things my way, Bhuey, GDJ, you and Red do it their way.

I did not consider my phrase of "too much of a hassle" to be an attack, but Bhury took it to mean I was insulting him, which was never my intention.

But you, Scuba, call people names when they don't do it 'your way'. And that's a bit overkill.

Anyway, I see this subject as beating a dead horse. BB's post was the most claro, so the newbies should pay the most attention to that one.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!