www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm getting a apartment in costa rica the landlord will only take cash . My bank charges $20.00 per transaction then his bank takes 20% of what I send for a commission. What is the best way to send money. Thank you

Although I have never done it personally, I am told that sending Money Grams to CR from the USA is less expensive than Western Union. Apparently you find a location in the USA that offers Money Grams and deposit the $, pay the fee, receive an ID #, and they send the $ to CR. The recipient here uses the ID # and appropriate identification to pick up the $. I have seen various locations in San Jose, such as pharmacies, that advertise Money Grams.

Paypal if they have an account. Think the cost is about $6.

Can't you simply use your ATM card to get the cash to give the landlord?
Most banks usually only charge $2 or so for the transaction. (Mine charges $0!)

ATMs are the best way that I've found to get cash anywhere in the world.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

Avoid doing bank-to-bank wires, they charge you on both ends.

You can send by Western Union or Money Gram. You can send both online from your home or office. The fees vary, so check both.

www.westernunion.com
www.moneygram.com

For the last couple months I have been using www.ikobo.com. It is a pre-paid rechargeable visa card, all outgoing transactions via internet or telephone. Recipient from bank or ATM. Conceivably you can send up to a grand for $5, waay cheaper than Western Union.

Customer service ranges from poor to a pain in the ass, but I have transferred money successfully four times (esposa can’t manage money worth a shit so I dole it out poco a poco a hundred dollars at a time for two years now, so I know a few of the options. I tried several processes including WU which works flawlessly but is expensive). I waited to post about this until this had worked a few times and I felt confident with it.

Not endorsing this company per say: I have had problems – Card delivery delay initially; transfer limit issues; a lot of time on hold w/customer service - but I have it working sweet now. Very economical - albeit $1.99 charge for Each ATH withdrawal – the recipient should take the whole lot when they access the ATM – again get the limits right.

Just another option out there for sending funds. I had the card delivered to me here in the states with my ladys name on it. and brought it down myself. I would be interested to know if anybody else has success doing thing this.

I returned to Costa Rica through Houston on Continental on April 19th. U.S. Customs Officers were in the passageway between the gate and the aircraft. They checked each passenger’s passport and asked if people were carrying $10,000 or more in cash or financial instruments.

I have traveled regularly between the U.S. and Costa Rica for 20 years and never had that happen before.

Has anyone else ever had that experience?

Diego, I flew in through Houston on the 17th and had the exact same thing happen. Had never had that happen before either. It almost made me miss my connecting flight because I then had to go through customs as well. I got to the gate as they were closing the door. Talk about close.