www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Which are the prevalent banks in San Jose that also do business in the US?
Are there many branches of HSBC? Citibank?

I have never encountered either HSBC nor Chase in C.R.

However... the ATMs I have used display either the Plus or Cirrus system logos. I use Wells Fargo, and I've never had a problem getting cash from the ATMs I've tried (Banco de Costa Rica, Scotia Bank, and the ATMs at the Hotel del Rey and Colonial Casino).

Best thing to do is to contact your bank directly and ask them. If the issue here is about international wire transfers, etc., it might be better to go to the source (i.e. your home bank).

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

HSBC has banks in CR. There are also Citi banks here. Do not know the exact number of either.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Banco Cucatlan was bought by Citibank last year, so they are all Citi's now. Bannex was bought by HSBC about 2 years ago, so they're all HSBC's now (there's one just down the street from the HDR on the corner of Avenida 1 and Calle 3.) Scotia Bank is canadian, they have branches everywhere. One other bank was bought by a US Company (Wells? Not sure..I think it was Banco San Jose). The rest are Costa Rican owned, or government owned. Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular, Banco Nacional, etc..

In general, there is very little issue with getting money from anyone's ATM, but there may be additional fees.

They also bought Banco Uno and converted them to Citi banks at the same time they converted Banco Cuscatlan so there are a lot of Citi bank locations. I believe they are the second largest private bank in CR. Scotia is number 1.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine