www.CostaRicaTicas.com :: View topic - Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?

Tt_er wrote:

My bank said they can get me foreign currency as well. This seems to be a good option. =)

don't do this ,,,! while i have no knowledge of your banking institution stateside it's almost guaranteed the rate of exchange contains a whole consortium of insane fees, and other ridiculous surcharges for the conversion.

call your bank prior to departure and have them release any fraud/security measures attached with your debit account [card]. they'll ask specific dates and what country you'll be in. traveling rather frequently my bank releases by zone :central europe, western europe, etc ...

for your comfort and security bring along some U$D [wholly/ widely accepted everywhere in costa rica]. but solely in smaller denominations: 1, 5, 10 nothing larger than a twenty and in good to excellent condition: no visible tears, marring, and any other facial damage.

suerte.

Author:	Tt_er [ Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Suggestions?

Author:	Mkink [ Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Tt_er wrote: Suggestions? Get it when you arrive. Most atm's dispense $500 per day. Charge a small fee ($5). Not worth the risk IMHO

Author:	Tt_er [ Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Mkink wrote: Tt_er wrote: Suggestions? Get it when you arrive. Most atm's dispense $500 per day. Charge a small fee ($5). Not worth the risk IMHO I guess I just contact my bank and ask if I can use my card there?

Author:	Magik [ Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Tt_er wrote: Mkink wrote: Tt_er wrote: Suggestions? Get it when you arrive. Most atm's dispense $500 per day. Charge a small fee ($5). Not worth the risk IMHO I guess I just contact my bank and ask if I can use my card there? It's a good idea to contact them and tell them where you'll be using your card. Otherwise you run the risk of having them shut it off if they flag your transactions as suspicious. I made my maiden voyage a couple months back, and I did both. I took some cash with me and changed it upstairs at SJO, and the rest I withdrew from the ATM as needed.

Author:	Crazyhorse0017 [ Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
I would do both. I have been stuck in different countries where my ATM card decided not to work, or there was a national bank holiday. It is always to have some foldin money in reserve.

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Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive? https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=44051	Page 1 of 2

Author:	Hioctane [ Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Bring a little cash and a backup ATM card.

Author:	HGH1 [ Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Hola, You may consider bringing cash and a couple of ATM cards. At the airport there is a Bank of Costa Rica booth second floor (departures) on the far right (as you enter) corner that has great exchange rates. Note arrival is the first floor. You either walk up the stairs to the second level or ask your trusted driver to take you around to departure terminal. I usually change some USD to colones. If you decide to do this ask them for a quantity of 1,000 and 2,000 colone bills or they will give you only big bills and you are going to need some small ones. You may consider keeping some USD too in reserve and for your return. If necessary the hotels will change. As suggested, contact your bank and/or cc merchant (phone number on the back) and let them know you will be in CR and the dates. Not sure if it is still the same, but the hotel Del Rey Atm's used to have a great exchange and low fees. I have heard Colonial Casino next to Del Rey does too. Otherwise there are banks around Parque central and Paque Nacional with ATM's. I like Scotia Bank by parque nacional. YMMV. It is good advice from others on this esteemed board not to carry too much cash, your wallet, your passport, all your cc's, and bling on you. Make a color copy of your passport and the date stamp and carry that. Leave the rest, other than necessary funds in your room safe. Finally take cabs at night. You can change your colones back to USD at the same bank booth in the departure terminal. The exit stamp counter is next to it. Hope this helped.

Author:	Icantstayaway [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
One idea is to bring enough cash to pay for your entire hotel and the first $500 in spending money. Pay your hotel in advance. Hotel safes are not 100% and guys often drink/party way more than they planned. Some of these girls are very savvy and can find a way to distract you. Bringing 2 or 3 grand does not work out for some.

Author:	Bobby2Timz [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:02 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
haven't been to CR in 3 years(Long Story) In the past i have exchanged USD at the Banco up stairs at the airport, the cage at Colonial, and their ATM, the ATM at Del Rey, they have two one gives you USD if that's what you want. also do make color copies of the first page of your passport and when you get to your lodging have them copy the entry stamp. As has been suggested only carry what you need a few clones, your pasport copies and condoms, lube ect. I would also split my money up just in case, and do take taxis at night, the way i see it if i can't afford to take Taxis at night maybe i should rethink being there I used that same rational even in Rio where taxis are more.( i think it was 7-10 bucks each way to/from Helpe when it was still there) gl and have a blast.

Author:	Sauceman2015 [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Tt_er wrote: Suggestions? Bring some cash. Exchanging is cheaper than the ATM fee. Either use the BAC San Jose upstairs (497 colones to the dollar) or better yet, get your supplies at Walmart by the airport and exchange money there. (497) , no line, no waiting and they do not ask you a lot any questions like BAC does. If you do go upstairs and exchange money, tell them you are staying at the Mariott in Belin. Do they really need to know where you are staying?

Author:	Tt_er [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
My bank said they can get me foreign currency as well. This seems to be a good option. =)

Author:	Dramatist [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:49 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Tt_er wrote: My bank said they can get me foreign currency as well. This seems to be a good option. =) don't do this ,,,! while i have no knowledge of your banking institution stateside it's almost guaranteed the rate of exchange contains a whole consortium of insane fees, and other ridiculous surcharges for the conversion. call your bank prior to departure and have them release any fraud/security measures attached with your debit account [card]. they'll ask specific dates and what country you'll be in. traveling rather frequently my bank releases by zone :central europe, western europe, etc ... for your comfort and security bring along some U$D [wholly/ widely accepted everywhere in costa rica]. but solely in smaller denominations: 1, 5, 10 nothing larger than a twenty and in good to excellent condition: no visible tears, marring, and any other facial damage. suerte.

Author:	Tt_er [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Dramatist wrote: Tt_er wrote: My bank said they can get me foreign currency as well. This seems to be a good option. =) don't do this ,,,! while i have no knowledge of your banking institution stateside it's almost guaranteed the rate of exchange contains a whole consortium of insane fees, and other ridiculous surcharges for the conversion. call your bank prior to departure and have them release any fraud/security measures attached with your debit account [card]. they'll ask specific dates and what country you'll be in. traveling rather frequently my bank releases by zone :central europe, western europe, etc ... for your comfort and security bring along some U$D [wholly/ widely accepted everywhere in costa rica]. but solely in smaller denominations: 1, 5, 10 nothing larger than a twenty and in good to excellent condition: no visible tears, marring, and any other facial damage. suerte. PNC said there are no fees just based on that days exchange rate and they order them . No shipping costs either. And yeah they noted my accounts.

Author:	BlueDevil [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
For me, the easiest way to obtain cash in CR, Colombia or anywhere else in the world is to use my bank card. My bank absorbs any transaction fees. Many guys like to use the cambios, though... I am not one of them.

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Author:	Tt_er [ Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bring cash with me or get it once I arrive?
Yeah ill just get in CR.