www.CostaRicaTicas.com

i know everyone said carry small bills, but is it cool to bring $100's and exchange them in SJO somewhere? Do more Ticas try to talk dollars or colones in the HDR?

Yes, hundreds are okay. Remember to bring currency that is fresh, unmarked and which isn't torn/ripped in any way.

HDR chicas, hotel, bar, casino gladly will accept U.S. dollars. Local restaurants and stores will usuallly accept only colones. Whatever currency you pay in, your change will be in colones.

There has been recent concern over counterfeit hundred dollar bills. Do a search, but I believe the fake bills had serial numbers starting with "CE" or "CG."

Hope this helps.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Great reply EC....
Only thing I'd add is I try to negotiate and pay in colones with the chicas. The girls say cien and translate that into 50K colone. If you have to pay cien in colones it's only $96... I know, $4 isn't much but every bit helps

Over the past couple years, there have been problems with counterfeit HUNDRED dollar bills, with the serial # starting with "CB". Word on the street was that they were coming out of Colombia. If you're worried about bringing 100's, just bring twice as many 50's, and you shouldn't have a problem. And yes, bring lots of small bills (1's, 5's and 10's).

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

It's very important like El Ciego said Their money sometimes looks like it has been in the street run over by cars for weeks but they want our money to look like brand new. I once had a one hundred dollar bill that had a tear about 1/8 inch long and I couldn't cash it anywhere.



Magnum XL

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Rio4Me4Ever is on a constant quest for premium trim.

go to the bank and buy a fresh stack of 100 $5, 200 in $10(or visa versa) the rest bring $50 and hundreds. Twenties if you wish just more bulky. Change your big bills at BCR and your good. The serial # issue is pretty much gone. I had 4 $100 bills last time with CB and HDR took one and BCR took the other 3. Make sure they are in good shape though. Nice neat and clean.

Let me get this strait, I have to make a special trip to the bank and ask for a lot of new 1`s 5`s then I need to get new 100`s and 50`s and don’t forget to check the serial number?

You all have to be pulling my leg could we possible make this any more difficult.

I will tell you what I do on the way to the airport I stop at an ATM and receive 500.00 in 20`s then when I get to Costa Rica I get colons form the ATM. Pay for everything in colons you get a better deal. I also use colons for tips no need for small US bills. Never had a problem.


But I like things easy

Gino

I like to bring a bunch of hundreds for TLN's. I bring a bunch of fifties for ZB and NF and give the residue as a tip. This upcoming trip, I am also bringing a stack of one dollar bills for tips for maid, etc. Seems I always run out of small currency and am tired of asking for change.

Ciaociao

Think colones...