www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Can someone tell me the conversion average. I know as much as I travel this should be easy but my brain is fried from all the planning and cant think straight lately. Thanks in advance. Pura Vida


Colones:
10 =
1,000=
2,000=
5,000=
10k =
20k =

I will refrain from a joke but it is easy to convert. It is just about 500 colones to the dollar so just drop all the zeros and double the number, 1,000 colones becomes 1 and then you double it to $2.

2,000 colones = $4 and so on.

First, XE is not accurate for our purpose. It seems to show the sell rate (how many colones takes to buy back 1 USD). Right now, it shows a rate of 504.199, when National Bank of CR shows 493.

BNCR website is best and most accurate for CR (upper right corner): http://www.bncr.fi.cr/BNCR/Default.aspx

The smaller rate is how many colones you get when you sell 1 USD and the higher rate is the number of colones it takes to buy 1 USD?

As for your other point about using dollars at restaurants and bars. I know people do that but it's usually newbies and some of our lazy members. But usually the guys who use $ don't car about giving away 5%. I think most people use colones.

I think banks and cambios bake in an exchange fee which makes the exchange rates lower. IMO, the best rates are no fee debit cards.

I don't recall ever paying 7 dollars for a beer in Sportsmens, but then again I only drink imperial.

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Not banned yet...

That's probably because you always pay in Colones and not with a benjamin.

There is no way to change the exchange rate, it's based on that days exchange rate that your bank uses (probably FOREX). So you got ¢493 per dollar which is correct (200,000/405.69).

There are ways to avoid the transaction fee ($4.06) that your bank hit you up for. There are banks that charge low or no international transaction fees.

Also, some ATM's in CR add an ATM fee (BCR desn't and the HDR ATM doesn't surpisingly). This is a fee charged by the ATM owner, not your bank. Can't chahnge it, but you can avoid it by only using ATM's that don't charge a fee. Unlike the US, in CR, they don't post the ATM fee on the outside of the machine, so you don't see it until you look at the receipt.

I have a credit union that only charges me 1% international fee of the total withdrawn, and I heard that there are some banks (Charles Schwab and Capital One) I believe but double check, charge no international fees.

See this post by DonCarlos: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=43567&p=497834&hilit=schwab#p497834

cocal was changing at 480-1
July15-19

Bank of America used to only charge a 1% fee on international withdraws but was informed last time I called its now 5 dollars plus 1% for every swipe of the card. that does not include any possible ATM fees.

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Not banned yet...

Best exchange rate is with the chicas, 500 colones =$1 Pay with U.S dollars for their service.

cheers,
Attila

I bring a wad of dollars with me, exchange half at the UPSTAIRS bank next to where you pay your exit visa (which I buy when I arrive to avoid doing later). Pay for room in Dollars (its what they want). Keep money in room safe except for what I'll need that day or night.

If I run out I use my debit card at HDR atm which gives dollars (but thats only the last day or two if I went crazy, which is most trips )

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

What I do, I use the atm near the main bar, max is $200 I get us cash, then go to a casino table ( dont have to play) and they give me even money in COL. I see a charge of $5.00 (from my bank )

Years ago, I would bring down the amount I would think I might spend in cash, and keep in my safe and pull out as needed and save on the fees, but after getting lucky one night......all bad stories start out this way....well I had to much to drink, brought a girl back to sportmens, did the deed, went to the safe and got her money, fell back to sleep and never remembered her leaving, woke up to see the horror of my safe wide open.

As I walked to see if she left me anything I received the surprize of my life...not a penny taken since that time I always use the atm

Thanks fellas!! Pura Vida!