www.CostaRicaTicas.com

use the card to pay for your stay. I know a lot of places like to deal in cash and in the DR because they don't like to report the income, they charged like 18% on top of the room tax just to use your card. Does that happen in CR?
Thanks

there is a tax that is applied to hotel stays. I think it is 13%.

Many hotels have 'cash deals', but none say that they do not charge the tax (which would be a stupid thing for a business to admit to).

The best thing you can do is contact the places and ask for a quote based upon the number of days, and whether they offer CRT discounts. State cash payment in case there is a better rate offered.

You can look for my thread on room rates in the Newbie forum. It has contact info for several hotels.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Thanks, for the info, the 13% tax is applied whether you use cash or a CC right although they may offer a cheaper rate with cash?

Merchants have various reasons for offering a discount for paying with cash. None are foolish enough to say that they don't collect a tax.

The reasons for cash discounts could be as simple as (or more complicated than) avoiding the fee that the credit card companies impose on merchants for a credit card transaction. Whatever the reason(s), it's always wise to ask if there is a discount for paying with cash in U.S. dollars ....... because there often is a discount.

good point, Rac. Do not assume 'cash' means USD ... ask for a 'cash' discount, and then see if you can get an additional one by offering it in USD. These are totally different discount reasons.

For me, I always 'assumed' cash meant USD. Seeing Rac's statement made me realize my mistake.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Pay with cash because just about every hotel will Phuck you on the exchange rate.

On collecting a room tax: no it's not stupid if they say they don't collect the tax; what would be stupid would be to not transmit the value of that tax to the authorities. A biz owner has every right to "eat" the tax and take it from revenues. Big difference; the tax folks shouldn't care how the money is generated, just whether they get their legal fair share.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

in a technical way you might be correct, but any business owner that would openly state that he 'doesn't charge the tax rate' to his customers would find himself under scrutiny by the taxing authority PDQ.

So based upon the potential hazard of bragging it, I'd say it qualifies as a stupid thing to say.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Agreed and I'm probably being ch!ckensh!it about it.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Yes, some do add a credit card surcharge.

One that comes to mind is Hotel Castillo. They add 15% to credit card transaction.

From their website:
"Add 15% to above rates if you choose to pay by credit card"

I think the reason is very high CC processing costs. The banks in CR rape merchants on fees, and customers as well (as high as 70% credit card interest rates). That's why many places give cash discounts or at least are willing to haggle if paying in cash.

Last trip, my wife and I had an appt at the US embassy and had time to kill so we went across the street to the little strip mall. There's an electronics chain store ("Gallo" I think). I was looking at smart phones. They had a Galaxy, the price was something like ¢250,000 ($470) to buy it. They also had a financing option. I think it was 15,000/mo for 48 months, if I remember correctly. In the end, the customer ends up paying ¢720,000 ($1350). They even list the APR (66.67%)

Also, bear in mind, that your bank will charge an international transaction fee. BofA pinched me for another 2 or 3 percent.

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Take The Highway To The End Of The Night...The Doors