I haven't been to Costa Rica for a few years. I still have some of their currency. Are the paper bills, other the 1 mil, still valid?

I have had no luck with any hotel or business taking them. The girls definitely won't. If you need a close bank, there is a larger branch on the second floor of the INS building.

Yes I took my already old notes from my early 2021 trip into the BCR office inside INS building last September. Very convenient to the gulch. Those 'old' notes still looked pretty new to me. I also had to change notes in 2015-2018 I believe.

Don't know why they change so relatively frequent. I think I got clipped about 10% for my last change. Oh well at least I got something for my not really that old notes. Maybe that is why they change notes every few years to get 10% out of everyone to help pay for all their country's debt.

Or to help deter counterfeiting?

I don't think so but I believe you can turn them in for current bills at the Central Bank of Costa Rica downtown.

Here's an update on the old bills and some other observations. I went to the bank in the departures area (BAC) and the lady exchanged the old bills for new ones without any problems. I also exchanged $200 USD. Exchange rate was 516/1. Before going across the street, I went to the Claro desk in the baggage claim area to buy a sim. They accept USD there. The costs are very good. I could have bought a sim with 7 days service and 2 gb of data for $6, but the sim wouldn't work in my phone. It's a Kalley phone I bought in Medellin and a Claro sim works in Colombia. The specs of the phone say it works on the 1800 band, which is used in Costa Rica, but obviously not. I got an Uber from the airport to the La Amistad hotel for 6,700 COP. I gave the guy 7,500 and he seemed to be very happy. I went to the Sportsmens Lodge last night. There were a lot of ladies there, but I only saw a couple of guys take anyone to their rooms. For long time visitors to the Sportsmens who haven't been there in a while, Adriana, Yoleny (sp?), and another long time bartender are working there now. The one who I don't remember her name has gained a lot of weight. Adriana and Yoleny look the same as they did 6 years ago.

The banks here appear to give their exchange rate at the ATM instead of allowing the Visa rate. I went to a Banco National ATM this morning and the rate I received was 516/1, which incidentally is the same I received at a different bank when I exchanged USD. The Visa rate today is 523/1.

I have a dental appointment this afternoon, which is the primary reason I am here. I'll provide some more updates in the trip reports section as I continue my venture. I'm here until Friday. I've been spoiled by Medellin. So far, prices of food here are about double what they are in Medellin. I went to a little cafe near the hospital this morning and a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee were 1,200 COP each. The coffee wasn't good, but the juice was very good. At the Sportsmen, chicken fingers and fries are 5,900 and a chicken hamburger is 6,900.