www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Does anyone know of a good place to convert Dollars to Colones in San Jose?

Best place to exchange larger amounts would be a Bank.. don't forget your passport and expect to wait in line...

If you want a $200-300 at a time, I recommend Colonial Casino inside the Sleep Inn. behind/next to the Del Rey (they give bank rate) http://www.sleepinnsanjose.com/googlemap.html

Most of the gringo Hotels, Del Rey, Sportsmens Lodge, Amistad, etc. will also change Dollars to Colones but they take a small piece of the action for the convenience..

The best is a bank, but banks in CR are slow as shit. But on Avenida 2 (Second ave), there is a BCR branch that has a separate section for currency exchange. It's pretty quick. You have to have your original passport though, photocopy may not work. It's on second ave, maybe around calle 1. It's close to central park (parque central).

In the gulch, Colonial casino gives a good rate but I have been refused once since I wasn't going to gamble.

HDR is not horrible, expect to lose about 5%. The SL was a little bit more. Most hotels take about 5-7%.

After arriving, can I access this bank in the departure area, or is it restricted to those leaving CR?

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

Yes, you can. Once you walk outside of customs, cross the street into the entrance to the parking garage and take the escalator upstairs and go into the departures area.

Make sure you use the red-colored square BAC bank booth on the far right side to exchange. There is now a rip-off currency exchange booth in the departures area too.

Upon arrival, no part of the airport is restricted forward of security when you walk off the plane. I like to jet past immigration, and while I'm waiting for my baggage, hit the duty free then the ATM right in front of the duty free. DO NOT USE ANY OF THE 1st FLOOR MONEY CHANGERS (Casas de Cambio). If the ATM in front of baggage duty free (HSBC) doesn't work for you, there is a BCR one right next (to the right of) customs.

I don't bother going upstairs anymore.
CH

Ok thanks. I always check the exchange rate and if it is a rip off, I walk away quickly.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

And while you're up there exchanging money, you can pay your exit tax at the windows right next to the bank.

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

BCR ATM's are no fee. If you get colones there is no charge if you get USD there is no ATM charge but VISA/MC may charge a foreign currency fee. Naturally other charges depend on your banks policy.

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

Pax, its ALWAYS going to be a rip off, just a question of how big of one .

Kinda like buying fake Cuban cigars.....ooops - different thread!

But seriously, with the bank right across the street from arrivals (its to the left if you are looking at where you buy your exit stamp - and you should get that too, right before you exchange $$ as it saves time when you leave), thats where you should go to exchange - easy, official rate, don't have to hassle w/ banks downtown, seldome a (long) line, and you don't get ripped off at the currency exchange -

Its a difference of normally 10 - 15% (in Jan the CI was like 470 vs the bank 500 to the dollar) - better in my pocket than the currency exchange!

Thanks for all the great advice, Srilm. I will make note of what you said and take full advantage of it! I usually changed my money at the hotel, but I knew they were charging a fairly high upcharge to do so, so I'm going to do it at the BCR at the airport this time.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

To avoid any confusion the bank at the airport is a BAC-San Jose branch. The only BCR presence is their ATM machines.

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

OK thanks, I will look for the BAC sign instead.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!