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Hi,

I'm getting ready to book a flight and rooms at SL. Have a question regarding money. Is it easiest to just bring dollars ? Does everyone accept dollars? Do I need to make change upon arrival? What's the best way to do the money thing for about an eight day trip? Thanks.

IMHO ... change at the airport if you arrive in the daytime. Do NOT exchange at baggage ... exit the terminal, cross the street, take the elevator to the Departures terminal, go inside, turn right, buy your $29 exit stamp and then hit the bank at the same spot.

When I went the 'offical rate' was 551, and I got 549 out of them. Later I got 547 out of Colonial Casino.

oh, and at the airport they ask for your hotel,. Say Holiday Inn San Jose. Otherwise they have to look up what it is. At Colonial Casino they don't even ask for your passport if you convert sub $300 at a time.

I never use dollars, and they will 'exchange' it at 500 or worse.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Yes, you should have colones on hand. Paying in dollars at a Tico place makes you look like a newbie bobo. Think about it, if you owned a store in the US and Mr. Frenchie came in and paid you in Euros, you would probably take it but screw him on the exchange since it means you now have to exchange the Euros. And you would probably think to yourself "Tool, this is America, use dollars". (you'd probably kick his ass for being French, but that's beside the point ). That's pretty much the Tico mindset when Americans pay in dollars.
-Taxis should be paid in colones.
-Most of the Tico restaurants prefer colones, but will usually accept dollars. You may get screwed on the exchange rate though.
-Tico MP's quote in colones, so paying in colones is smarter. The girls will take either.
-Bars will usually quote in colones, so pay in colones.
-Hotel you should pay in USD since that's how they quote the price, so no conversion is needed.

Basically, it's best to pay in the currency that the price is quoted in. The only exception is the girls, they will take either. Hell, I've paid for sessions with PS3 games and cheap MP3 players (best $20 I ever spent).

I used to do the whole bring a wad of dollars, exchange at airport, and put away in safe routine. Occasionally, they would refuse to exchange some $100 bills because it began with some specific serial number, even at a bank. Too much work. I now use ATM's. I'll bring a few hundred (20's and a few 50's, no hundreds) to last me on day 1 until I hit the ATM. My credit union only charges 1% fee, so no biggie, and I get bank rates or close to it. (If my acct was at BoA, and I was paying $5+ exchange fees each time, I may not do it the same way.) And I don't have to worry about accidentally leaving my safe open or somebody getting into my safe and cleaning me out. The only hazard with using ATM's is leaving your card in them after you get your money. (Most ATM's pull the card in and then kick it out after the tranaction is completed, unless you walk away before your card comes out. )

It's best to use colones everywhere in CR except for paying for your hotel room.

The use of a Schwab ATM card is absolutely free of any fees of any kind anywhere in the world. If any ATM owner imposes a fee to use the card, Schwab reverses it and "eats" the fee. And Schwab uses a very fair exchange rate.

There is no minimum requirement for having or using the card. You open the Schwab account on the internet with no muss or fuss. You fund your Schwab Bank account with either a mail deposit or an internet deposit before you travel.

Many ATM's in CR dispense either dollars or colones, your choice. The Bank of Costa Rica (BCR) does not impose any fee for using a BCR ATM machine with anybody's ATM card.

My only connection with Schwab is the use of their (my) ATM card. No junk mail, no phone calls, no security transactions, no problems.

The Capital One 360 debit card also does not charge foreign transaction fees and gives the best exchange rate possible.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

paying the hotel in dollars is an important point, *if* you were quoted in dollars and there may be an issue paying otherwise.

As for the ATM thing, I have had issues traveling within the USA and something going wrong with my card, so there is no way in hell I will trust a piece of plastic when I am out of the country. I bring cash, and take the chance with the safe.

TEHO for sure, but that is how I roll.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Thanks for the responses.

Is there really any difficulty changing 100s these days? I thought those were a distant past thing.

Yeah, Priscilla at SL just emailed me that the difference between SL and "a bank" is 510 to 545...that's almost 7% more you can get at the bank if true ....on $500 that's $35...nice to get if possible.

Seems to be safe, take some cash, take a couple debit cars in case one doesn't work...and maybe even a credit card if all else fails!!

the key is *CLEAN BILLS*. Tell your bank you want brand new unmarked bills for conversion in a foreign bank. They will oblige. And clean bills pass muster on inspection. I have not had them turned away from the bak at the airport, or Colonial Casino.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Yes its true, and not surprising - almost world wide your exchange rate is going to be better at a bank (in country) vs a hotel or a casino.

So....

Exchange at the Airport BANK - NOT the Cambio - located across the street from Baggage/Arrivals in the ticket lobby - go in the door, turn right and walk down - right before you come to the bank stop and purchase your exit visa (one less thing to worry about - its done; I don't know why guys resist doing this at the airport - sure - you can buy it at some hotels, but why worry that they have the forms, their computer is "up", have to pay them a fee......do it at the airport and one less thing to worry about).

When you get to the bank, change what money you wish - I'm in between those who use colonies for everything - I carry a supply of $1's and $5 - you can use dollars many places, so not the end of the world, and if you do run short you can change $50 or $100 many places.

(While I'm on the subject of those who protest obvious better ways to do things, I never understood those who skip the airport bank and change money downtown - then post about how its such a good idea :

Its an extra step you can avoid
You go through BS at the bank waiting to exchange
The line and wait can be long b/c Costa Ricans are resigned to poor service, waiting, and red tape
IMPORTANT - you walk back to your hotel carrying money chancing assult and robbery
You leave money on the table b/c non bank exchange rates are lower
In the OP's example - the money he saved buys 2 lunches, or a secession at an MP



Get the money exchanged and your exit visa before you leave the airport!!!

I like to exchange my money at the bank inside the INS building across the street from Hotel Castillo. It's on the second floor. Go in, take a number and wait. They are not in an hurry (it is Costa Rica after all).

I always use clean bills, and have never had them refuse one. They did take a really long hard look at a couple of $100's when they had even just bent corners though. They always give me as good a rate as I ever saw at the airport bank, or anywhere else.

P.S. Don't wear any hat or sunglasses. They will make you take them off. Also no shorts, I think. Also, expect to be frisked by the armed guard at the door.

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I can't deny it, with that smile on her face. It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase!

bud, it ain't worth the hassle. Colonial Casino (no passport), Walmart (need passport), or Departures terminal Airport (need passport and hotel name) ... much easier than what you just described. And all rates are within a couple of points of each other.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Why, can I ask - unless your post was an attempt at humor - and I don't think it was - given what you know is a better, easier way - why would you do so?

You prove my points above - given what you posted, why would you not avoid the hassles you described?

BTW....the exchange rate was never the subject - I've found all banks in San Jose very close -

Jesus Christ - and a dress code too

Looks to me since I'm staying at SL that maybe I exchange a little at the airport...then Colonial Casino..might be the " less hassle but not getting totally screwed" way to go....thanks for suggestions ..what is the DR exchange rate like?

The DR's exchange rate is not very good.

The Colonial Casino is directly next to the DR. It's MUCH better at the Colonial Casino.

Why would you draw that conclusion based on what has been posted by those with info and experience - exchange the bulk of your money at the airport bank, and if necessary use a place like the Colonial Casino if you need more.

Then you ask about a place (HDR) not known for:

Cheap drinks
Good exchange rates

I know you might be new at Costa Rica, and you ask a perfectly reasonable question - then you get good answers and you draw a totally off the wall conclusion - its NOT rocket science:

Airport bank/Buy Exit Visa/ Go to hotel