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Costa Rica for Newbies--LAST UPDATE IN 2017
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16357		 Page 23 of 25
Author:  Attila [ Thu Feb 15, 2018 11:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
gdeffer wrote:
I unfortunately don't use scotiabank, but i use TD bank. This came directly from them. i also asked them about changing to colones and they gave me a quote of minimum $5000 canadian to do so which is out of my range. i also went to calforex which is an exchange spot that is popular here, but they only had large denominations of colones. not sure what to do here guys. do you guys suggest paying in american dollars? or is colones still preferred? i can exchange to american easily from here, but i don't want to have to exchange again and get screwed. looking for the best bang for my buck!

I bank with Scotia, Tangerine, and TD. I have use all 3 bank cards in CR with no problems. This is 2018! You can use your bank card to withdraw funds from any atm in the world. Ok maybe not in N.Korea. You'll get charge a $5 atm fee from TD and a 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee.
Author:  Flabuck [ Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
The bank probably only deals with higher denomination notes

The largest denomination colone is 50 mil or the equivalent of about $90-95 US at this time, The old rule of thumb was to drop the last three zeros on the bill and divide by 2 when the exchange rate was close to 500-1. The rate now is closer to 575 to 1 US right now. For example a 50 mil note is about $100 at 500-1, a 20 mil note was worth $40 at 500-1 a 10 mil note was $20 US at 500-1
A mil in spanish is 1000
Author:  Orange [ Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
gdeffer wrote:
I unfortunately don't use scotiabank, but i use TD bank. This came directly from them. i also asked them about changing to colones and they gave me a quote of minimum $5000 canadian to do so which is out of my range. i also went to calforex which is an exchange spot that is popular here, but they only had large denominations of colones. not sure what to do here guys. do you guys suggest paying in american dollars? or is colones still preferred? i can exchange to american easily from here, but i don't want to have to exchange again and get screwed. looking for the best bang for my buck!
Why do you assume that you'll get screwed?

Bring USD and on your first day (if you come at night, you can exchange what you'll need for the night at Sportsmens or Del Rey at 5% less--no biggie) take a taxi to any bank and exchange your USD for colones. You will get the bank rate that day. Then take the taxi and put all your colones in the room safe. Then take out as needed.

Paying dependss on which currency the price is quoted in? Hotels usually quote in dollars, so best to pay in dollars (cash). That was there's no exchange. Chicas will quote you in dollars ("one hundre") to which you can reply 40,000 colones ("quarenta meal") which is about $70, or 45,000. Or you can pay in dollars, your choice. It's your money spend it how you want. But I wouldn't pay more than 45,000¢ or $80. They always quote higher than they are willing to accept because many suckers pay sticker price. In Latin America, everybody haggles for everything.

Enjoy.

(And other questions, post here.)
Author:  Isra123 [ Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
Remember to always confirm if the chica is quoting you in dollars or colones.
For example she may say 50 and you think it is $50 but she means colones which is $100.
Do not get caught in that trap.
Author:  gdeffer [ Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
Thank you everyone for the input. Since it seems like the person at TD bank was misinformed and i should be able to take out money from the ATM, should i do so at the airport or at a bank instead while in San Jose?
Author:  Netgems [ Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
+
Author:  Netgems [ Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
Isra123 wrote:
Remember to always confirm if the chica is quoting you in dollars or colones.
For example she may say 50 and you think it is $50 but she means colones which is $100.
Do not get caught in that trap.



Absolutely, good advice, also now a new trick is they seem to now always be asking for taxi money if you're not at HDR or Sportsmans, immediately after you pay them, and a wad is in your hand, and it's always for "back to mi house", around $10 not back to HDR where they are really going for $5. More than once I got the "babiii... it's 6,000 colones when I'm handing them 3,000. Lay down the law when agreeing on price, tell that's all they're getting, taxi included. :x

When I've forgotten and they're being a pain after having a good time and being paid as promised, I'll give them the $5 and say that covers where I got you, where you go after that is your business. Some left in a huff but saw me later at HDR and they're all smiles, kisses and hugs, want another visit??? :?: :?: :P :P

If not, there's about 1,400 other ones... :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Author:  Orange [ Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
Netgems wrote:
Absolutely, good advice, also now a new trick is they seem to now always be asking for taxi money if you're not at HDR or Sportsmans, immediately after you pay them, and a wad is in your hand, and it's always for "back to mi house", around $10 not back to HDR where they are really going for $5. More than once I got the "babiii... it's 6,000 colones when I'm handing them 3,000. Lay down the law when agreeing on price, tell that's all they're getting, taxi included. :x

You should tip what YOU want, not what the chica wants. "NO" is a powerful word that you should master before you ever set foot in CR or you will get played like a violin. Leave your bleeding heart at home. Everybody has a sad story and needs money. Avoid people asking for money, especially if they speak English.

If they want more taxi money than 2k to get back to HDR, tell them to use the money in their other hand that you just gave them. The next words, should be good night and you opening the door while keeping an eye on her that she doesn't grab something on the way out.
Author:  Col Ingus [ Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
gdeffer wrote:
I unfortunately don't use scotiabank, but i use TD bank. This came directly from them. i also asked them about changing to colones and they gave me a quote of minimum $5000 canadian to do so which is out of my range. i also went to calforex which is an exchange spot that is popular here, but they only had large denominations of colones. not sure what to do here guys. do you guys suggest paying in american dollars? or is colones still preferred? i can exchange to american easily from here, but i don't want to have to exchange again and get screwed. looking for the best bang for my buck!


you can change CAD or USD at the Airport in the DEPARTURES check in area at teh BAC San José Credomatic
http://sjoairport.com/en/conozca-el-aer ... -jos-lobby

for USD they gave me 576 a couple weeks ago....

you can also exchange USD at the Colonial casino next to the Del rey... I havent had any issues ever changing up 300$ in clean unripped 100s.... last rate i got was 573 last week

if you are staying in Amistad, USD cash is the best way to pay your bill

alternatively for ATM use, look into a Charles Schwab Account, ive used the atm card in numerous countries around the world with zero fees and exact exchange rate... RAC and a few guys on here use it often with no issues
Author:  el moreno 202 [ Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
Quote:
ALWAYS CARRY WITH YOU A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT BIO PAGE & ENTRY STAMP PAGE. If you get asked to provide ID by the police and don't have either, you may have to pay a bribe to the cops to avoid being detained/arrested


Will a photo on my phone of my passport's photo page and entry stamp suffice in CR?

Last year, my first time in Bangkok, I was stopped by the police while walking back to my rental from a nightclub. The officer asked for my passport. I told him it was on my phone. I showed him a picture of my passport's photo page, my entry stamp and a picture of my departure card. He said something like, "Oh you from USA. Thank you." I thanked him and we parted ways.
Author:  Ilv4play [ Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
el moreno 202 wrote:
Will a photo on my phone of my passport's photo page and entry stamp suffice in CR?


It depends on what you are doing and how far you are away from your passport. If you do not want to carry your passport with you then I would suggest paying the fee for a copy of your entrance stamp and main page of the passport.
Author:  Isra123 [ Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
Picture on your phone may be accepted.
You could also ask your hotel to make a color copy of your passport picture page and the entry stamp to carry with you.
Author:  Flabuck [ Tue Jul 03, 2018 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
i don't keep anything that could be construed as illegal on my phone but i would be reluctant in handing mine over to an officer to snoop through pictures
Author:  el moreno 202 [ Tue Jul 03, 2018 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
Isra123 wrote:
Picture on your phone may be accepted.
You could also ask your hotel to make a color copy of your passport picture page and the entry stamp to carry with you.


That is what I did. The girl at the front desk did it with no issues.
Author:  budmon44 [ Wed Jul 04, 2018 3:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Costa Rica for Newbies
I got a copy of my passports photo page copied to wallet size and laminated. It has come in useful in a variety of situations in more than one country.
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