www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Also, I find it saves me from "llittle head" brilliant ideas

"Someone may know of the bank at which you can prepay with your passport in hand."

I cant remember the name of the bank but it is on Ave 4 between Calle Central and Calle 2 two doors west of McDonalds.When you enter the bank go downstairs-keep to the right and go all the way to the back-the two left hand teller wickets are where you can prepay your exit tax-all you need is your passport and $26-takes about 2 minutes.

When visiting Costa Rica, remember these things:

1. If you change money upon arrival at the airport, it takes 30 min and you must go upstairs in the airport. Travelers Checks are a pain. Use an official orange airport cab. You prepay for the ride. Tip if you wish although it is not required. 1.5 Remember to get your credit card back from hotel check in. Ask for an upper floor for less noise. Tip the bell boy US $2.
2. Get a safe key and or instructions on how to operate it and the A/C.
3. Change some money at check in at the Presidente. Change it at the casino at the Del Rey. Or ask about a real ATM. Best of all is to change at the bank on the upper floor of the airport upon arrival. Travellers checks are a pain to cash and there is a fee.
4. Find out where to buy bottled water although tap water is safe. The bakery next to the Presidente sells it.
5. Have some one dollar bills available for tips. Have a lot of US $1 and 5 bills and a few $10s. All your US dollars must be in perfect condition to be accepted. No tiny rips. No marks. Perfect. Take only perfect bills.
6. Ask the maid for extra towels. Tip her $US 3. Your girl guests will use them for everything.
7. You can buy some booze, water, snacks and sodas at the nearby Mas x Menos store. It is three blocks East of the Presidente on Ave.Central. Booze is reasonable except for whiskey. No need to bring liquids.
8. Taxis are US $12 from the airport into town, and US $12 for the return taxi ride to the airport. Keep the US bills in reserve for that purpose.
9. Keep US $26 for the airport tax. Buy the tax stamp IN the airport, not at the curb.
10. Keep C500 available for the taxi rides. Cab drivers never claim to have change. There were some new C500 coins the size of a half dollar.
11. Keep your passport, air ticket, wallet, jewelry, medicines and money in the safe. Only carry what you will spend. Use a money belt. Most experienced travelers there do that. Don't bring expensive jewelry or watches. Some travelers carry a photo copy of their passport and their entry stamp as well as a 5000 colone bill for a bribe if needed.
BEWARE of the "Dragon Lady" who will offer to have a drink with you because it is her birthday or some excuse and then drug and rob you.
12. Bring extra US made condoms. The little Korean made ones sold in CR are sized for Asian guys with tiny weenies. Bring lubricant. Girls like the liquid type.
13. If you bring a folding umbrella in the rainy season (April - Nov.) pack it in your CHECKED bag. You cannot carry it on the plane from San Jose. Different rules there. Yes, true. Do not ask why. Also no aerosols or matches on board. You may wish to bring a ballpoint pen and small note pad. A ball point is needed to fill out immigration forms on board.
14. Before you go, download and print a map of the action spots in San Jose. See DonGordo.com
15. In general don't wear shorts unless at the beach. Only tourists wear shorts and you will stand out. Try to blend in for less hassles. On the other hand sometimes they are fun to wear in a bar with the girls... Generally cotton pants and jeans are acceptable everywhere. T shirts/ polo shirts or short sleeves in the day and long sleeves at night. One pair shoes should do. Light jacket for the mountains. I bring 2 pants, 4 shirts, 1 pr. shoes, light jacket, and underwear -total for one weekend or one week. Add swimsuit if the beach or jacuzzi is planned.
16. A safe place to exchange money is the Hotel Del Rey casino. You may or may not be able to change Colones back to US Dollars when you are ready to leave. Use them to pay your hotel bill and charge the rest if you wish.
17. Be alert walking the streets at all times- Especially Central Ave and Second Ave. Watch out for pickpockets and being stopped and talked to by strangers for ANY reason. Be aware of who may bump you and who is following you and why. Do not wear a fanny pack as it is a pickpocket target. Don't stop and give to street beggars. Do not buy cigars from street vendors. Do not even think about buying or using weed or drugs unless you want to spend a year in jail awaiting trial, just for starts. Never walk the streets after dark. Never. Do not ever be drunk in public on the street. Taxis are cheap, even from the Blue Marlin to the Presidente after 10 PM. Always take a taxi to the Idem bar, and to and from the Europa Hotel after dark. Most chica bars/places are in bad neighborhoods, so you have been warned. See my warning on the Dragon Lady above.
18. Learn the going rate for girls. Do not pay asking price at the Blue Marlin. Negotiate down. Speak Spanish, even a little. Explore alternatives to the Blue Marlin. Be a good Gringo and not a bad example. TREAT ALL GIRLS WITH RESPECT at all times. You will be repaid tenfold.
19. Tip the girls for a good time. Suggested gifts include perfumes, lingerie, condoms, cosmetics, and cash.
As of Feb 2005 the exchange rate was $1 = C463. Or C1000 = $ 2.15 Thus, a quote of C10,000 (diez "dee-ess" mil) is $21.50C15,000 (quince "keen-say" mil) is $32.33. and C20,000 (viente "bee-in-tay" mil) is $43.

Someone may know of the bank at which you can prepay with your passport in hand.