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I have about 15K in old colones that apparently aren't accepted anymore. Is it worth bringing them and exchanging them at the bank?

Thanks!

The ex-pats will probably have an accurate answer, but I read the other day that for the newly retired bills it has to be at the national bank or one of its branches. And I'd wonder if you need to have an acct? If not, what is the typical wait time? Any less crowded branches? Are the smalller denomination bills which were discontinued a year ago? still redeemable?

I also heard the casinos were still taking them, the players will know.

Two weeks ago, I had an old 5 mil note, which was not accepted after Jan 1, 2013. I went to the National Bank of Cost Rica. The reception girl told me that any bank MUST exchange the old for new until a certain date in the future at no charge to me.

She would do the exchange at the NBCR, but I would have to fill out some forms and reveal which other bank refused to do the exchange.

I went to a Scotia bank nearby, and was refused. I went to a Bank Of San Jose (BAC) branch, also nearby, and approached an idle teller with the old bill. He handed me a new bill and I was out of there in about one minute.

They're still good for propinas.

Is that just the 5mil notes because I only have 1mil notes?

As the new notes are phased-in (at different times), there are different deadlines for exchanging the old notes.

I don't know what the various deadlines are, but I think that they are generous.

Not really......the 1mil notes are not accepted at all - deadline has passed - not sure about the other old notes.

Be careful - CR issued a 20mil note that looks like the 10 mil note - be careful when using this - I almost got caught up and used it when I thought it was another bill - and its +/- $40

the 20 mil is confused with the 1 mil note