The best I've ever found is the bank in the departure area of the airport. Upon arrival, go outside, upstairs, then back inside. Turn right and go all the way down past the departure tax desk. Bank rates without the bank waits.

Of course, not convenient once you're in the gulch. Get plenty, and possibly stock up when you got back for departure, if you plan to return to CR. The only catch is that I wouldn't really stock up when departing right now, since the exchange rate is so bad.

SR

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

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.

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

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.

I have done that too, a great idea. You will probably get hit with a bank fee. You can get an HSBC bank account online and get rid of that fee.

SR

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

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.

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