www.CostaRicaTicas.com
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/

Money
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21135		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Dulcedeleche [ Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Money
Trying to figure out the best plan of attack regarding currency for my first trip down. From RTFF, it sounds like this might be the plan:

US Currency for the Chicas, with the possible exception of some of the MP's.

Colones for incidentals - taxis, restaurants, etc.

Sounds like I can get US$ or Colones from certain ATM's in or near HDR.

Any other thoughts or perspectives to offer on this topic? Any insights are appreciated.
Author:  BangBang57 [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:27 am ]
Post subject: 
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 :roll: :twisted: :wink:
Author:  Zebra [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:29 am ]
Post subject: 
It's prabably best to use colones for everything. A good place to exchange your dollars for colones is at the bank, or at the Colonial Casino beside the Del Rey. This is also a good place to use the ATM.

Also....Bring 50 dollar bills instead of 100 dollar bills. Many places are reluctant to accept the 100 dollar bills.....thinking they are possibly counterfeit.
Author:  Dulcedeleche [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:55 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the insights gentlemen. I guess I was thinking US$ for the HDR chicas because everything I read seems to refer to negotiating in dollars - "I paid cien", or "negotiated down from cien to $60", etc.

So, since I'm not a math whiz, I take it for all intents and purposes the exchange rate with chicas is 1US$ to 500 colones, subject to any larger change in the actual exchange rates? Co "Cien" becomes 50K Colones....

Appreciate the help.
Author:  Green Giant [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:14 am ]
Post subject: 
My suggestion is to use Colones for everything except tips. Why pay an exchange rate on a tip?
Author:  BangBang57 [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Yep almost eeryone just uses 500 to convert. If talking to the chica in dollors, to figure the colones, just divide the dolloor amount by 2 and add 3 zeros. Once you have done it a couple of times, it is easy.
Author:  Travelman [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:29 am ]
Post subject: 
I am in CR right now. Just happen to take a minute to look at the board. I have had no problem paying the girls in dollars and have doing so since it is a little better for me. I have been doing exactly what you stated in your original post.

No problem with chicas taking dollars or ZB.
Author:  BangBang57 [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:02 am ]
Post subject: 
:idea: ONCE again, as with many, many things in Tico land, there is no absolute answer. There are chicas that will take either (a lot of them) and there are chicas that, as of now, only want dollors. BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THAT IN A PINCH, THEY WILL TAKE EITHER!!! :!: :idea:

As for ZB, they will even take a credit card and charge your card in dollors which saves you the CC exchange fee.
Author:  Gringo Malo [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
I was in The Pink Hotel last night with VB. At the ratio of 4 or more girls to every guy, I think it is safe to say....they will take whatever you have....including rubals, piasters and MPCs.
Author:  El Viejo [ Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
I thought MPC's were long extinct :)
Author:  SlimJohnson [ Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Debit Cards
I would prefere not to bring a lot of cash with me on my trip and I don't use credit cards. Yes, I may be the only person in the Western world who doesn't. But I do have a debit card from my credit union with a Visa logo on it. I use it to buy things online and elsewhere. I asked my credit union about using the debit card in Costa Rica and they said they wern't "aware" of any problems doing so. But that didn't sound like a solid committment to me. But they did make a note for my account that I would be traveling to Costa Rica in March. They "think" that should resolve any problems I might have using it there. I would like to be able to at least buy Colones with it. I guess I'm wondering if anyone here has had experience with using a debit card in San Jose.
Author:  BangBang57 [ Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:11 am ]
Post subject: 
Slim,

I am assuming that a debit card and a check card are the same. If so you should have no problem. I use a Bank of Am check card (visa) in the ATMs and at the cajas inside the banks here all the time.

Oh! :evil: :cry: The dollor went down again a couple of days ago (494.5 now at the bank)
Author:  Pacifica55 [ Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:20 am ]
Post subject: 
All my "credit cards" are debit cards, Slim, and I use them all the time in CR with no pro'lem at all. :wink:
Author:  Zebra [ Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Slim.....Let me note to you here that I use a debit card as well in CR, but only to withdraw cash. I had a bad experience at the ATMs located at the INS BUILDING....in particular, the one on the far right [in the front of the building]. The machine shorted me by $80. The bank inside the INS BUILDING was of no help what-so-ever.....even telling me that "they didn't have a copy machine" when I asked to make a copy of the ATM receipt. When I returned to the U.S., my bank did indeed credit me the shortage, with little hassle.

Allow me to suggest the following:

1. Always save your ATM receipts for future reference when you return home.

2. Go inside the bank to a teller who can make a "manual withdrawal of funds" for you. This eliminates any potential problems with the ATMs...such as shorting you, or taking your card.

3. A back-up plan of having cash is good...in case you lose your card, the machine takes it, etc.

Zebra
Author:  SlimJohnson [ Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Thanks
Thanks to everyone who replied. Makes me feel better about usinfg the ATM card in San Jose.

Quote:
2. Go inside the bank to a teller who can make a "manual withdrawal of funds" for you. This eliminates any potential problems with the ATMs...such as shorting you, or taking your card.


So I take it you mean to use the card at the tellers window like I was getting a cash advance?
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/