www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Newbie to Costa Rica and I read most of the forum here but still have some very newbie questions and seeking help here

1) Money Exchange: How should I change the money in SJO, a bank ? a hotel ? or a Casino ? Which one would be the best choice ?

2) SJO Cabs: Are there enough taxies or cabs available in the late evening in SJO ? What kind taxi or cab is good ? and what kind need to be avoided at all cost ? Are there any signs on a cab indicate this is a good official cab ? I understand the official orange airport cab is good, but do they have the service inside the city ? After dark what is the real safe way you can get a cab ?

3) Cops: It seems like there are many different kind of cops there, Who are they ? How they look like and How to deal with them ?

If anyone would like to share their experience with me, You are very much appreciated. [/b]

Welcome aboard,As far as money exchange lots of people rely mainly on drawing money form ATM's which are readilly availble.One good place to exchange money is Colonial casino right next door to the DelRey.They pay bank rates without bank hassles.Rates at hotels vary but aren't the best.
On taxis I believe the ones in town are red and have taxi light on top.It is best to get one with a meter and should cost 500 col or so for about anywhere in downtown.They are generally available even late at night most all over town.Ones parked in front of Del Rey are a riroff.
As far as dealing with authorities.It is recommended to carry a copy of your passport(not the origional) around with you with a copy opf the date stamp.One time I was detained by police because I didn't have a copy of my date stamp.You are not likely to have a problem but take Taxis at night.Rbc100

FireRock2005,

Read the newbie section for a lot of good info.

Money exchange. Avoid the booth as you leave Customs at the airport at all costs. Big time rip-off. The bank at the departure level is OK. Your hotel or a bank is best in town. Del Rey casino a bad rate. Have heard Colonial and Horseshoe fair but no personal knowledge.

Official in town cabs are red. They have a yellow triangle, with their number, on the door. This number should be the same as on their license plate, ie license SJT4074.... number in the yellow triangle on the door 4074. When getting into the cab tell him "ponga maria, por favor" (turn on the meter, please)
If he refuses either negotiate a price or get out of the cab and get another.

Basic interaction with the police will be with the San Jose municipal police, grey uniforms or the fuerza publica blue uniform. If you drive the transit police. If you a very bad bad bad boy the OIJ, no uniforms, just long jail time

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Great help guys, you beat me to it.

SS I was going to say, I have used the ATM at the Del Rey and it gives you a good rate plus my bank does not charge any fees(BoA). Your hotel might exchange dollars for colones, but you may have to sacrifice about 5 colones per dollar. So for exchanging $100 you will lose a little over a dollar. Not that big a deal for the convenience, unless you are changing a large amount.

the currrent rate is about

1.00 USD United States Dollars = 476.800 CRC Costa Rica Colones

Yes, the taxis in San jose are red, you will see some bootleg cabs also, please avoid. Also try to avoid getting a taxi in front of major hotels unless you know the fare or they use the meter(maria). Also, be careful taking taxis to the strip clubs or massage parlors. (they get a commission which can be reflected back on you). Know the fares before you go, ask before you get in.

The official taxis at the airport are orange and you pay at a booth just as you exit the terminal. Avoid all the guys trying to grab your bags to help unless you want to help out little K*D and tip him. they gotta eat too!

Listen to RBC100, carry a color copy of your passport just in case.

Good luck and have fun.


Pura Vida

_________________
GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

The ATM at the HDR, BCR, BN, OATH, TOTAL, BAC all give the same rate because they do not give the rate. Your bank, who issued the card, gives the rate so it is the same no matter what ATM you use. The difference is if the ATM you use charges a user fee independently from what your bank charges.



Was a reference to the rate when exchanging money, not the ATM.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Most clubs or other businesses you might visit at night will have a taxi hanging around right outside the front door. If there isn't one have someone from the business call one for you.

If you find a driver you like get his card and call him when you need transportation.

Also pick up business cards from your hotel or anyplace you might want to return to. Then you can just show it to the driver so he'll know where you want to go.

A Big thanks to all of you guys !!!!! RBC100, Ding Dong, Grey Ghost and Witling!! You Guys just been GREAT !!!!! As this would be first trip to CR, so kind of being exciting but also kind of nervous, since I could only speak maybe few words of Spanish and knowing nothing about central America...of course I could get a lot info from you guys HERE....

Once again, about money exchange, I know my bank's ATM card will charge me about 3% as service charge if I take money out from other banks ATM system, plus that foreign ATM system would charge me maybe another 2% or 3%, or simply $1.5 up to $5 for service charge. I don't know if this is true in CR. or you guys never had this kind of problems... If not, that would be a bless...

Most credit cards (visa and mastercard) start from April 2005 to charge 3% of service fee for any purchase made in foreign country and it really sucks.

Also is this true you must have perfect US bill which means a brand new green to use in CR ? But the problem here is I tried my bank but with no help: Even the bank does not have any new bill available now, so What Can You Do ??

One post in the forum said you could purchase exit tax ticket from a bank somewhere around Ave 2 or 4, unfortunately I couldn't find that post any more. Any info which bank you could go to get this exit tax paid ?

from the forum I understand there are three kind of different cops in SJO, some could be very helpful and friendly, and some could be a real problem, Is this true the municipal cop with grey uniforms and transit police (what colour of uniform ?) are realy helpful and friendly ? And the other cop (tourism cop ?? ) sometimes could be a problem ?? In one of the posts here one dude said he was stopped by few cops in the midnight some street coner and they tried to bring him to some unknown place to threaten him and his chica, the story was pretty scaring.... but I could't remember which cop he mentioned....

Ding Dong, my friend, what is this fuerza publica with blue uniform ? I am sorry my Spanish is almost to zero....

And now I have some more questions for you guys: Cell phone service !! If I bring my three bend cell phone to SJO, Could I get a SIM card with a local number and use my own phone ? Or I just have to rent a phone from the locals ? What is the cheapest way to do this ?

Anyone has any experience with a Studio room ($40 plus tax) at Hotel Presidente ? Good or bad ? clean and safe ?

Will be in SJO in five days... I would love to meet you guys down there and have some nice booze togather.... That would be really GREAT !!!!

Thank you all again... Evey words of yours are greatly appreciated.

Your bank is charging you 3 % for using another ATM, muy caro!

I was not charged a dime by my bank, they do the exchange rate.

Twice I withdrew 100,00 colones. my bank statement only showed an amount with no fees. I got an exchange rate of 469.57. This was in April where My hotel only gave me 465.

I do not recall any fees associated with credit card purchases in Costa Rica. Cash advances yes!

A quote from the other web site you are on.
[/quote]The banks in CR will not take $100 bills series 2001 that have a serial number starting with the letters "CB".

[/quote]

I have not have any experiences with this, bring twenties if you are worried.

You can pay you exit fee A) at he airport when you leave B) at the airport when you arrive and standing line at immigrations, there is a booth in the corner C) At the Presidente in the lobby if you are a guest or D) at a bank which i do not know which one

Cell phones- read this

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... ell+phones



I have not stayed in a Studio? Anyone else cna help here? If this is a room with one twin bed, then it is very small. I had it as part of a Jr. Suite once. I actualy got two rooms with three beds, two safes and two bathrooms. IMHO spend the $9 more and you will be satisfied. Remember the Prez includes breakfast.

Check the SL

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... highlight=

Good luck and Pura Vida!

_________________
GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

First of all calm down Firerock, you gotta learn to relax a little just make sure your bills are on good shape, no tears or major marks on them(small ones no problem). I've only had one rejected and the corner was torn off.

You can buy it from the front desk of the Presidente during business hrs. I suggest getting it the day before you leave.

Why are you obsessed with the policia in SJO Firerock? Plan on doing/carrying something illegal?

Studios are fine, great deal for 41.00- https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... php?t=4662

Have a nice trip.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Firerock,

The Fuerza Publica is the main police force in Costa Rica. San Jose has a municipal police force that you see in downtown but the rest of the city and country is patrolled by the Fuerza Publica. You will also see them downtown.

I have been coming to Costa Rica for 13 years and have lived here for 2 years and have never been stopped by the police. I would not concern myself thinking of problems with the police if you are not doing anything other than then being a typical tourist.

It seems like you are staying at the Presidente so pay your departure tax there, if you are not staying at the Del Rey the bank is across the street from the southwest corner of Parque Central. Avenida 4, Calle 2. The name is Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

The INS building is also a good place to take care of these matters. There are 3 ATM machines in the front of the building. The one on the far right is the one that I always use with good results. On the 2nd floor of the INS building is a bank where you can also change dollars to colones, make a withdrawal using your bank card and also pay your departure tax. Always remember to bring along your original passport when making any transactions inside the bank, as it is always required. A photocopy of your passport will not be accepted.

Zebra

Thank you all you GUYS... Great info... Super Helpful... Grey Ghost, PacoLoco. Ding Dong and Zebra.. Super Gracias !!

I think I got all the info here I needed which is just great. I have nothing obsessed with cops simply I just don't know them and I don't speak Spanish.. from some posts here such as our good friend RBC100 and others it seems like you could be hasseled because you are not local. This is why I would like to know more and be cool... and not to be scamed..

I think I will enjoy this trip very much because of all of your helps...

FireRock2005,

I should have mentioned in my previous post that the INS building is a tall,
modern looking building, several blocks to the rear of the Hotel Del Rey.
It is in this building where the national insurance programs are administered. I have been told that there is also a very nice cafeteria in this building for the workers there to eat, and the public is also welcome there, although I have never eaten there.

Zebra

FireRock2005, A board member here shared this information with me about purchasing your exit stamp. The credit goes to Koppite. I purchased my stamp at the bank thus saving some possible grief. Here is what Koppite had to say:

On the south side of Parque Central on the corner is a big McDonalds two or three doors up (west) is a bank with a blue/white sign I am sure it is Bancredito. There are about 8-10 steps up to the entrance and just inside is a guard. Up a few more steps to the right of that first lobby is where you get the exit stamp-or ask the guard he will show you.I was there in Feb and got mine at that location.Hope this helps.

it is on Ave 4 between Calle Central/Calle 2 on S.Side of Parque central.

I just returned from CR and I bought my exit tax at the BANCOCREDITO-INS OFICINA CENTRAL (2nd floor). It is a tall building in the north east quadrant, a few blocks from the Sportsmen's, I don't remember what street it's on.

Bring your passport or color copy of it to buy it. I showed my color copy and it was cool. They fill it out for you by computer so you don't need to do anything.