www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Could anyone provide info on the safe/best ATM's in Jaco (fees?)

Also, what are the differences between the currencies with the Cocal scene? Would my dollars go further in local paper? For example $150 asking, counter with 85-90k CRC ($130-$135).

Any current info much appreciated, I will look through the archives as well!

Jaco girls will know the exchange rates better than any bank so you will not get and advantage there. If you were negotiating with semi-pros in non-tourist areas you might be able to game the rates but everyone you are likely to meet will prefer dollars over colones. If they ask $150, counter with $120. ATMs only dispense in multiple of $20. The main differences in ATMs are your bankcharges, ATM fees, and ease of use. DON'T use a credit card in an ATM, most of them treat it as a cash advance.

My experience:
1. Davivenda - Colombia based bank with easiest bilingual interface. Highest ATM fees ($9 US or 4mil colones). Depending on your account, both Fidelity and Schwab will reimburse the fees. Generally a $500 daily limit.
2. Scotiabank - Canadian bank with bilingual interface. Low fees, but flakey interface. Easier to get colones than dollars. I stopped using this a few years ago, but if your card doesn't reimburse fees AND you need an English interface, it is worth a try. Their per transaction limits vary by location and you end up paying thefee over and over up to your home bank daily limit. There are many locations.
3. BAC - low fees and many locations, but Spanish only interface. Also a $500 daily limit but it is popular with locals so they will sometimes not have enough US dollars to dispense.

Negotiate over services rather than price. Start with a low bid, let a few walk away. Chicas talk. The moment you give in, that becomes the new base price for you and subsequent chicas will work to beat it. Expect to be approached first by the fuglies. Tell them you want bbbj, cim, besos negro (rim job), fs, anal, butt plug, rubber chicken up their ass and offer them $100. Hopefully, they will walk away disgusted. Then you can chill, survey the room and approach they chicas YOU are interested in.

Carry some colones for incidentals, leave any small balance as a tip to housekeeping when you leave. Also, if your CC has the security chip AND no foreign transaction fee, use this at restaurants, grocery stores, etc. You get the best exchange rates and carry less cash. Since it is your first trip, keep things as simple as possible so you can focus on having fun. Moderate your alcohol and substance intake, plenty of that back home.

_________________
If you lose your temper you’re phucking yourself - Garcia Marquez

Thank you Boynton this is exactly what I was looking for! If our paths ever meet beers on me

I have always taken a wad full of Cash and personally don't mess with ATM's. There will be safe in your room, learn how to use it and keep anything of value in it and make sure to be discreet when putting in code, with that said Boynton gave some good info above on what to expect also keep in mind if you do exchange US $ in a CR bank prepare to show your Passport, most guys like myself tend to go a Casino to exchange if you want some Colones there exchange rate I always find fair. I usually bring crisp 50's and 100's to pay the ladies and then some $1,5 and $10's for Tips for drivers, bartenders and the Puta's at Monica's ...

Focus more on having a good time as mentioned above and not coming off as a newbie or rookie even though you are these girls don't need to know that and my advice don't tell them this is your 1st trip.


Orange has some great info for any new member to read and then read again

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16357


Pops once made a comment to me that a guy coming here for the very 1st time is like ... "Disneyland for his Dick"

_________________
Stay Humble Amigos !

There is a Scotia Bank ATM inside the Mas X Meno's grocery store that I like to use. You can get dollars or colones. There is an outdoors Banco National ATM that I never had much luck with for some reason. I don't think that one is bilingual. Both of these are on the main drag just south of the Cocal.

_________________
It's a jungle out there. A pusseycat like you will get eaten alive!!!

I've always used the Scotiabank ATM inside the grocery store too. Location is convenient.

After many years of international I have kind of gotten into a routine as far as money management. These tips may or may not work for you but seem to optimize my cash and eliminate most stress for me. Specifically for Costa Rica.

(1) I always bring about 2K in US dollars with me. You never know when an emergency will come up and you have to have some cash. For Costa Rica be sure that you bring pristine $100's or $50's. Any markings, tears or major wrinkles and most financial institutions won't take them.

(2) I bring 2 credit cards, one Amex and one Visa. I prefer the Amex for the miles but some places don't accept it. I will generally only pay my hotel and maybe my dentist with a credit card. Cash everywhere else. Be advised the Castillo has a 4% or 5% credit card surcharge. You can choose to look at it as a cash discount if you like.

I also bring two ATM cards, one being a Schwab card and one from my local bank. I will always use the Schwab card as they refund 100% of the fees charged for the ATM use, no foreign exchange fees and their exchange rate is very close to bank rates. I fund the underlying checking account with just enough cash for my current trip so if something does happen to the card, my risk is minimal. I would only use the backup ATM card if the Schwab card was not available.

(3) On arrival I will go to the Departures area and visit the BCR kiosk to exchange $500 into colones. It is located toward the back almost to immigration. There is usually very little wait as opposed to the horrendous lines you will find at most banks in the city. You'll get current bank rates there for the exchange. You can also arrange to meet your Uber driver at departures. Cabs are also available up there and usually willing to negotiate.

(4) In San Jose I generally use the ATMs at the INS building. There are two there and in the daytime there are a lot of people around so I feel pretty safe. There is seldom much of a line. A previous poster already pointed out the ATMs closest to the Cocal in Jaco. Those lines can get long.

(5) Everything is locked in the safe except a second wallet with enough cash (usually about $120K in colones) for any drinking / partying etc. for the evening. In that wallet I also carry a wallet sized copy of my passport, a copy of my vaccine card and a copy of my entry stamp. No credit cards or ATM cards leave the hotel unless I have a specific purchase in mind or need to withdraw some cash.

(6) My advice is to pay in the currency that the item is priced. In San Jose, that is generally colones (an exception is the Castillo). In Jaco things are usually priced in dollars. Generally if you try to pay in the currency opposite of what is is priced at you will get a less than optimal exchange rate.

There is a lot of good info here from members in diverse circumstances. I am a full time resident and several others are frequent visitors. I notice the OP will be a first time visitor in June. With that perspective, I offer the following.

1. Cash is King, both as an emergency backup and to pay ongoing expenses. Be aware of the CC surcharges HD mentions, I overlooked this. I have had times when an ATM has been out of service or the lines have been long. FYI - most Ticos are paid electronically at the beginning and middle of the month.

2. Have both Cash and cards available for use. For shorter visits, rely exclusively on cash as TF does. It will go a long way toward simplifying things. Just be sure to use the room safe and be discreet accessing it. I have one in my apartment. My habit is to keep only expected daily expenses in my wallet and never open it when anyone else is around.

3. The OP indicated in another post that Vanessa will be picking him up at the airport and driving him to Jaco. Given that, I would get not colones at the Departures area of the airport but definitely take note of its location when you leave to use on visits #2, 3, 4..... Ask Vanessa to stop at any MasxMenos on the way. They will have an ATM and you can pick up room supplies (chica booze, butane lighter, sodas, chips, etc).

Again, as a first timer, download and get comfortable using Uber (calling a ride), WhatsApp (sending a location, sharing a live location), Google Translate (download the English and Spanish dictionaries, use images and camera as input), WAZE (provides more info than maps such as traffic congestions, nearest parking lot, etc)

June will be here eventually.

_________________
If you lose your temper you’re phucking yourself - Garcia Marquez

Boynton

I usually have Vanessa pick me up at the airport unless I am arriving on a Wednesday. She actually prefers to pick up customers at the departures area as she does not have to pay to park and walk over to the arrival doors and wait.

I just text her from the BCR kiosk and she drives over from Walmart. I usually meet her by the last crosswalk to avoid interacting with the taxis.

Just my 2 colones about cards ….

1. I have had a few issues with Scotia ATMs. All appears to be going well but then no money ever comes out and the machine keeps my card for about 5-10 mins. Typically this is with my Schwab debit card - not my Scotia debt card. Scotia is my bank here and I love them otherwise but this could be a problem. As a result, I never use my Schwab debit card at a Scotia ATM unless it is at a Scotia branch and the bank is open. That way if there is an issue I can resolve it immediately. For me this is easy since there is a Scotia branch about 100 yards from my condo. Just an heads up.

2. I noted that HD mentioned that he only puts enough money on his Schwab debit card to cover the trip so as to minimize any potential risk. This is an excellent idea. That said it is also very easy to lock and unlock the Schwab debit card on a smart phone with the Schwab app (using a VPN, of course). I unlock the card just before I use it and then lock it once the transaction is complete. This is an extra layer of security beyond what HD does already.

All great info here for a first time visitor and anyone else, for that matter!

Woozo

Yes, HD I understand that you are an experienced world savvy monger who never transits Costa Rica on a Wednesday. My suggestions were tailored to a first time visitor who wouldn't know SJO departures from the Grand Central Terminal. This would mean....

1. Vanessa could meet him right outside immigration. He could even gift her 5 bucks for parking. She could carry a sign or wear distinctive clothing. (bright cap or neon thong, their choice)
2. The OP would have the opportunity conduct his initial ATM transaction and supplies purchase in the company of a trustworthy bilingual companion. (in which case they should definitely opt for the bright cap over the neon thong)

_________________
If you lose your temper you’re phucking yourself - Garcia Marquez

What is so special about traveling to Costa Rica on a Wednesday?

Vanessa dresses up like Christina Ricci. Some find that creepy, others a turn on. TEHO
https://images.app.goo.gl/Kce9PJrZ9FQzt5rV7

_________________
If you lose your temper you’re phucking yourself - Garcia Marquez

Vanessa dresses up like Christina Ricci. Some find that creepy, others a turn on. TEHO
https://images.app.goo.gl/Kce9PJrZ9FQzt5rV7[/quote]

Thanks for learning me that one. I didn’t even know about this Vanessa option either.

Vanessa can't drive her car in centro on Wednesdays due to traffic restrictions.