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Is it true that it is best not to bring $100 US bills because no place outside of banks will take them? Will your hotel, lets say SL, LA, HDR to pay your bill or to exchange money? I'm not bringing a whole heap of money, but I dont wanna have a ton of $20's $10's, $5's on me looking like im stripclub bound either. This subject may have been touched on already, but a fresh opinion from someone who recently returned would be a big help.

Yes, they take $100 and $50, but check the serial numbers. Don't bring any that have a serial number starting with CB, or AB. There's a lot of counterfitting going on with those serials, so many places won't accept them.

And make sure the bills are not torn or written on. They will refuse those too. Look for crisp bills with no writing on them.

Bring 50s..........avoid the hassles.

Certified advice from both Orange & Zebra

Zebra,
$50's aren't freely accepted either. Sportsmans has a sign by the reception desk about $50's with serials starting with AB... (If I remember correctly).

I've never had a problem with 50s....Of course, I don't spend them at restaurants, etc. I pay the hotel with them, as well as exchange them at the bank and the Colonial casino for colones. After the initial scrutiny they give any American bills.....they exchange them.

I was so worried about my $100's being crisp, no marks. When I exchanged at HDR in August, the cashier didn't seem to pay attention to them. 575 exchange rate.

Enough said, that works for me

On one of my first trips, a chica actually took the 20's I gave her and put each one up to the light to check for the vertical security thread on each one. That was the only chica ever that "inspected" a USD bill.