www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Is it true that you can purchase your exit stamp at the Presidente ? Will they also make a copy for you of your passport and entry stamp when you check in ?

Finally, will the Presidente convert a reasonable amount of dollars to colones to get you by until you can get to a bank the next day ?

I've searched for answers to these questions, but was unable to find them. Thank you

Scott

Yes to can get exit tax from there, No you cant make copys but there will right across the street, Use the atm ) or the airport. Or nice crisp clean american 20 dollar bills.

Presidente if you are a Hotel Guest yes, you can purchase your exit stamp.

The front desk has always been accomodating in making a copy of my passport as well as the entry stamp and reducing it down so its a small sheet of paper. A propina though not necessary is always nice to the staff for their troubles.

Usually no more than 200.00 is changed at a time as they want to make sure they don't run out of funds to convert. That is usually more than enough.

Welcome.

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The Boss of All Bosses!!! Hey I'm a drunk alcoholics go to meetings!

Scotts,

Try the bank at the SJO airport, upper level, upon arrival to change money.

They are slow but give a good exchange rate.

Do not forget to use your room safe and only keep a day's worth of cash on you. Use a neck safe or hidden money belt.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

The taxi booth at the airport will take USD for the ride to the Presidente. Once there they will change enough USD to colones to get you through the first day.

Why delay your enjoyment, at the BM, for a single moment while standing in line at the airport bank?

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

I have always gotten copies of my passport when I checked in. Never had a problem with that.

I usually exchange $100 at a time at the desk when I need it. Most of the time I go to an ATM to get what I need.

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"Life isn't like a box of chocolates...it's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow." SP

Is it true that the exchange rate is now around 475?

It was at 495 a few weeks ago. The colone is actually appreciating?

according to http://www.xe.com/ucc/

1.00 USD United States Dollars = 498.325 CRC Costa Rica Colones


Xman

It's up around 497 - 498 per USD, as of today...

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

I just check out an online exchange place called Travelex United States. I called a local branch and was told there exchange is about 471.86 and $5.99 for every $500 dollars.

With the rate as good as it is I might as well just wait until I get to CR. I was just trying to save myself the hassle of having only clean 20's. But it doesn't look worth it. I was told that the bank across from the Morzan has a good rate, is this true.

Rather than worry about getting $20.00 clean bills and carrying a lot of cash just bring your ATM card.***IMPORTANT*** make sure you advise your bank you are going to be in Costa Rica and are going to be using your ATM card. Some banks have been known to freeze your card after it is used the first time in CR if they did not know you were traveling.

The bank across from Morazan (south side) is Banco de Costa Rica (BCR)
the one across the street (west side) is Banco National (BN). Both are government banks and will give you an excellent exchange rate but you may encounter long lines.

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

I never had any problem with people accepting the wrinkled old 5's and 20's?

Where exactly have you fellas encountered problems? All my money was crammed into my pockets; wrinkled and torn and nobody turned it down.

Ive seen the Pres give back a couple of $20 bills because of tears and mainly those damn test markers.

I don't bring my atm card because Im not sure it will work. Plus I would rather pay an exchange rate, than pay huge transfer fees from my bank to get my own money. I'm just cheap I guess.

Time to change banks My Credit Union makes no charges of any kind, no transaction fee, no foreign exchange fee, etc )and the rate they use to convert is within a 1 or 2 colones of the CR bank rate for that day.

The ATM's in San Jose marked Red Total machine are also transaction fee free. That is why I am able to keep my money in a US financial institution while living in CR

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

I get charged 1.50$ for each ABM use. In short I get charged a buck fifty for everytime I use one of them Triton ATM machines. Not to bad so I dont normally care how many times I use them.

My bank gives HORRIBLE exchange rates, so I just do it all when im in town.