www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm heading down to CR for my first trip in a few days. And am wondering if it's easier to pay for things in USD or colones ? I've read a lot of posts where people pay 60 or 80 or however much but I'm guessing that's in USD not colones equivalent? Can anyone offer some advice? Thanks!

I think it's better to pay for EVERYTHING with colones, except for your hotel bill - - where you'll often get a discount for paying in full upon arrival using USD.

Talk to the girls and pay them in colones. They will accept dollars, but there will be less confusion if you do NOT use dollars Just figure that 30 Mil (30,000 colones) equals $60US, etc. For taxis, you need small bills and pocket change. The taxistas will often say they have no change.

If you give the girls dollars, they often get screwed on the exchange rate when they need to buy food for their K*ds. We don't need to do that to them. Just screw them in bed - - - not on the exchange rate.

There is a good, little kiosk operated by the Bank of Costa Rica on the departure level (upper level) of the airport where you can exchange dollars at a good rate when you arrive. If you want to exchange in the gulch, the cashiers at the Colonial Casino, next to the Del Rey, give a good exchange rate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Thanks for the tip, that's kind of what I was thinking anyway but wanted to be sure.

I would suggest NOT offering $60 and then paying her 30 mil colones. Especially when you know that they are not equivalent. Instead, offer her 30 mil, and pay her 30 mil.

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

+1.

Don't take unfair advantage of the girls. They have enough other problems with us AND with the rest of their lives.

OP: this is good advice all around (a rarity here) that you should take to heart. its a good question that you asked. paying in USD, with the exception noted, is bad form, arrogant in my opinion.

I agree with the Dwarf's post, however many gringos get lazy and just use dollars to pay the chicas. I think that many of the girls in the past were not savvy enough to know the difference when the exchange rate was 504 colones to the dollar. But now at around 530 it does make a difference and most of them will do the math. As dwarf said, better not to quote dollars then pay in colones.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

This Thread shows us at our best--not just what but why. Kudos to all...And will the OP come back with impressions or a Trip Report? A League of (mostly) Gentlemen

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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

I plan on writing a good report of my travels, I know i've learned alot from the past reports that i've read. I'm planing on 2 days in jaco and then 3 in sj. Wish me luck!

Actually sort of opposite... if you negotiate in US $ and pay them in colones (at 500/dollar} you will shortchange them. Pay with the same currency as you negotiate. They mostly know the math and so if you have to pay in colones after negotiating in dollars add about 10% and you'll be close enough.

Rac,
Your 2 statements seem contradictory. In one you say, pay in colones so they don't get screwed on the exchange rate. But then you suggest converting at 500:1. Isn't that the same thing that the converting your dollars at 500:1? If you really wanted to be fair, you'd give them ¢32,000 (instead of 30,000) in place of $60.

My opinion... Pay them what you negotiate in, dollars or colones. If you negotiate for $60, give them $60. They can go to the bank to exchange it. If they are too lazy and want to exchange at the first hotel they see and take the hit, that's their choice.

Dollars or Colones bought with $$ ...the CR colon is artificially overpriced! Until and when that changes and the Banco Central's hand is forced, gringos won't get their money's worth and slowly but surely the CR economy will pay the price for it with reduced activity! JMHO

its actually not... its been floating to the USD for over a year and with Oil at 6 year lows the colon is pretty strong...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... lar-demand

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its easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled- mark twain

Pay for pu*sy in colones.

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I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

Why not pay in cash?