www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Despite the fact that currency exchange is very easy in C.R., and that one gets good exchange rates at banks and casinos, I decided to try something a little more convenient, deciding to buy some colones at my local Wells-Fargo bank. Great idea, right? Save some time and footsteps, be able to lunch at a local soda upon my arrival, get ahead of the curve?

Wrong.

When all was said and done, I got an effective exchange rate of 434 colones/dollar. This is when the dollar in C.R. buys 486 or so.

The bank assures me that they dont' charge commission, but upon closer examination, they exchange currency at the highest international rate, dollar-wise. This was no bargain, and I hope that no one else makes the same mistake. $234.20 bought 100K colones...it should have cost under $210.00. In other words, the bank took advantage of me to the tune of about 13 percent.
I must have had "sucker" written in neon on my forehead.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

El Ciego,
It's funny that you wrote about this. I tried to do this, myself, a couple weeks ago. Just for the hell of it, I asked my long-time banker if I could get foreign currency at my bank (Bank Of America). She said No Problem, but it takes 4 to 5 business days to get it. I asked her to check out the exchange rates for colones.

She made a phone call, and informed me that for $500 American Dollars, there would be a $10 exchange fee, and I'd get back 206,500 colones. To exchange $1,000. American Dollars, there would be a $30. exchange fee, and I'd get back 413,000 colones.

You can do the math. That totally sucks. 413 colones per dollar, plus the bank fee of either $10 or $30. That equates to around 400 - 404 colones per dollar, after you pay the exchange fee. I'll stick to exchanging my money at my bank in CR or one of the casinos.

Have fun on Labor Day weekend. I know I'm gonna miss one hell of a party weekend.

Pura Vida Brother,
Mikey B.

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!