www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Where is the best place to change money? Last time I think HDR was giving better rates than the place upstairs in the airport.

Depends on the day. I have always gotten the best (by a few colones) exchange at the Banco de C.R., however sometimes the difference is so small as to be insignificant, and the casinos are just fine.

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

After 3 PM at the Colonial Casino, attached to the Sleep Inn gives you bank rate, at last check they limited me to $300 at a time.

Not likely. The HDR casino cashier has some of the worst rates in town, why am I not surprised? The money exchange UPSTAIRS at the airport is BAC-San Jose, a bank, that has very competitive rates.

Perhaps you meant the money exchange DOWNSTAIRS which is the biggest rip off in CR.

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

on a recent trip 4-21-4-24. DR 535-1,morozon 550-1,colonial 554-1.

During those dates the BAC-San Jose, the upstairs bank, rate was a low of 566.25 (4/21, 22 & 23) and a high of 567.00 (4/24).

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

I've been wondering if anyone knows how late is that money exchange in the airport open?? and what about weekends ? My next trip I'll be getting in on a Saturday evening. around 7 p.m. I may have the casinos or hotel desk only options.

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Enzo

Now in High Definition!

DO NOT use the money exchange at the airport. If the bank, upstairs on the departure level, is not open wait until you get into town. There are ATM machines that dispense colones at the airport if you need a small amount until you can get more exchanged in town.

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

Don't know what time the UPSTAIRS BANK is closed....but it OPENS at 5am and gives the "good rate".

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Just to illustrate, the money exchange at the airport gives a typical rate of about 490c to the dollar, while the banks give about 566 to the dollar. That adds up. For $100 that means 56,600c compared to 49,000. That's a difference of 7600c, which is almost 6 beers at the HDR or is almost 1 session at a low rate MP.

The money exchange at the airport changes their rate as the Central Bank changes the buy sell rate of the colon against the dollar. They usually are about 10% +/- below the banks on their sell rate.

For example BAC-San Jose, the bank at the airport, is today quoting 572.00 while the exchange house at the airport, Casa de Cambio Global Exchange, is quoting 520.63.

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

Irish, my first trip this week. Where is the Bac San Jose bank located at the airport?

When you are in the customs hall you are in the arrivals area which is on the lower level. The bank is in the departure area which is the upper floor.

When you leave the arrivals area walk straight across the street to the parking garage. There you will find both an elevator and steps up to the departure area. The bank is located across from the TACA check in counters.

After you finish at the bank you can walk outside to where departing passengers are being dropped off by red cabs. You can catch one of those to town.

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