Wdeville, welcome to the board.
Because of the weak dollor, it seems like lately almost everyone here prefers colones. Heard 2 guys just yesterday say that they had chicas refuse to take dollors. Changing $ for colones is no problem. Do not know where you are staying, but you can change $s for colones in the REY where you can get a fair rate. The Colonial casino next door has a good rate (495 I think). There are several banks within a few blocks. BCR has a bank one block west of the REY, across the street from the Morazon hotel (496.5). There are ATMs everywhere-- the REY has one that gives $s and one that gives colones. The BCR bank has one that gives either. I also would recomend that you not bring a lot of 100s; if a counterfit 100 shows up here ,for a week or two many places refuse to take them.
My bank (Bank of America) charges a flat fee of $2 for the ATM transation and if I get colones they charge me an aditional $5. I usually get $s from the ATM in the caja then go inside the bank and change the $s (same rate) and save the $5 fee
Welcome to Costa Rica and hope you have a great experience

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