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Where is the best place to exchange cash near the Sportsmens Lodge?

There is a Bank of Costa Rica branch on the 2nd floor inside the INS building (tall building about 3 blocks from SL, going towards Del Rey). They will give you the official rate, but be prepared to wait. The banks in CR are slow as shit. Unless you plan to exchange $1000 or more, it's just not worth waiting 30-45 minutes at peak times to save $5-10. The SL has a decent exchange rate. I think they take about 4-5%. If the official rate is 500, they pay about 480. You lose $4 for every $100 you exchange. Consider it a convenience fee. (The taxi you'll take back-don't walk back with that much cash on you and all the waiting makes it pretty close to even IMO).

What many guys do is exchange all their money at the airport bank upon arrival. I AM NOT REFERRING TO GLOBAL CURRENCY EXCHANGE WINDOWS. Those bitches take up 10-15% of your money. There is a real bank up stairs in the departures area. You can't access it from the arrivals area directly. You have to exit the arrivals terminal, go across the street into the parking garage, take the escalator upstairs, and walk back into the departures area. You will need your passport to get in and also to exchange money. They pay the official rate +/- 1-2 colones. You can also buy your exit tax ($26) while you're there, one less thing to worry about later.

I appreciate the help. thanks

If you don't exchange at the airport, I would just change money at the SL and you can also pay your departure tax. You will have taxi fare and time if you decide to exchange some where else, which to me IMHO negates any difference in exchange rates.
Regards, 911 Driver

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I agree w/ Orange - get 'er done at the airport and 2 less things to worry about

What Orange said and the best part is at the BCR near the departure tax area is NO COMISSION!!!! and best exchange rate in CR!

I want to make note for all you adventurous sort of guys, once you exchange your money and not yet arranged transportation there is a bus stop out front of the Airport. Just walk down the vehicle entrance ramp and walk to the right about 30 yards. The bus will take you to downtown San Jose Bus terminal for less than a dollar. Then catch taxi for about two dollars to hotel. It is really very simple process if you do not have much luggage.

I did it just last week (exactly as you just described) and can tell you its well worth it and its great, plus other than walking to town, you can't beat the price -

Just ask the driver "Directo?" going right to San Jose vs a stop first in Alajula (sp??) - not the end of the world, but you want the direct bus.

WOW...and I thought the economy was in the toilet...I guess the CRT Army is doing OK

I'll exchange colones all day long for 4-5%.......and I'll deliver to your hotel room and not steal anything but the 4-5%

To keep beating the dead horse: Just another reason to do it at the airport BANK is the exchange rate.

Although some would argue the convenience factor

And some just to argue

Personally, I usually buy a set amount of US dollars here in Canada before I leave, based on my budget for the known expenses. But for the colones, I never know how much I may use each trip so I like to be able to buy it as I go. For that, I find the ATM's for ScotiaBank to be good. My home bank account is Canadian and I found they dispense colones for the set exchange rate plus a very small ATM service fee. The only down side is that I heard the machines won't dispense more then 150,000 colones at a time. Not sure about that, but it's handy to just walk into Mas x Menos and get some colones whenever I want bar money.

I have always just used my ATM card (only at one of the major bank's ATM's, never the little privately owned ones) and gotten a favorable rate. Just another option to consider. There's one right in front of that little museum across from Morazan park.

You will get the same rate at any ATM. Makes no difference on the size of the bank or even if it is a non bank ATM. The rate you get is determined by your home bank that issued the card. The only difference you will get is the charge by the owner of the machine. BCR/BN do not charge, Scotia charges $1,50, BAC-San Jose charges $3.00.and other banks have similar policies. Visa/MC charge a foreign transaction fee over and above the bank charges and your bank may add a non-owned ATM fee.

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