www.CostaRicaTicas.com

You can buy the exit stamp at either the Presidente if you are a guest there or at Bancredito on Ave 4 between Calle Central/Calle 2. South side of Parque Central. Go upstairs to the right and it is wicket#s 9 and 10.
Usually no line up either. All you need is your passport and $26.

First of all, I ALWAYS wear shorts, and it has never caused me a problem. And I have no complaints when the girls at the Blue Marlin grab my weenie. I only complain when they grab my wallet.

also, Dollars are accepted everywhere, but Colones typically get about 5% to 8% better prices, if gotten at the bank exchange rate. Large U.S. Bills (50s and 100s) are not widely accepted except at banks and major hotels. So, as a rule, bring about $100 in small US Bills, and any $50 or $100 US bills should be exchanged at banks to get the best rate.

Also, Newbies MUST try Zona Blue, before spending their cash elsewhere. Colones go further than Dollars there by nearly 10%.

If you don´t act like a stupid drunk, you won´t run into problems in Costa Rica.

I am bringing $50s and $20s too.

Yes I also agree that a trip to the Zona Blue is a newbie necessity to do upon arrival. You may never go elsewhere. They have a free van to pick you up if you call them at 257-8624.

The exchange rate as of Aug 9th was $1 = C482,
or C10,000 = $ 20.74.

For the real newbies let me remind you that the electric current is CR is the same as in the US, 110v.
And the tap water is safe to drink unless you get into some remote rural locations where it is usually marked as not drinkable.

And remember above all
"Do not feed the monkeys or the beggars"

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Do not feed the monkeys or the beggars.
No alimente a los monos o a mendigos.

Let me make a few more points about money.

Over at the Trip Advisor forum the Northamericans constantly ask if they can use dollars in CR.
While major tourist spots may accept them, the exchange rate they use will not be as good as the bank rate. Further smaller places may not accept them like a good small massage place frequented by Ticos.

So go the the airport bank on the upper level and get some colones. Also there is an ATM on the upper level on the outside with good rates. There is an ATM in the Del Rey. There is one a block west of the Presidente. Someone had a problem with the one at the government building. Typical.

When my buddy changed his travellers checks at the bank it was a ten minute pain in the ass. First they called Amex to see if they were stolen. Next they charged a fee to cash them. And they questioned his signature even though he signed them in front of the cashier. They treated him as if he was from Mars. I saw another couple having the same problems.

One hundred dollar bills are getting harder to change due to counterfeits.

The exchange rate is now about $1US to 495 Colones. Thus ABOUT 1 to 500.
Thus I think of a 10,000 Colone note being $20. "Double it and drop three zeros."

Pura Cerveza.

_________________
Do not feed the monkeys or the beggars.
No alimente a los monos o a mendigos.

Well now the Zona Blue has discontinued the pick up service I mentioned above.

These need to be on the first page when you click on newbie section. Great tips Ace! I lived by them on my first trip.

Sammyboy

bump

RBC100 reminds me that you should not go home thru the customs with condoms in your pocket because the foil can set off the metal detectors and you will be embarrased when you empty your pockets.
I tuck them between packages of Alka Seltzer in a clear plastic bag wrapped with a rubber band.

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

That happened to me at the bank last week, the guard kept telling me to empty my pockets (had cargo pants on) and the damn detector kept going off, finally I dig out a levitra pak and a condom from a bottom pocket. He laughed and told me to go on in.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

On my last trip to CR, I brought American Express travelers cheques with me. Contrary to other posts on this site, I had no problems cashing my travelers cheques at any of the Banks. Banco Popular was by far the best. I usually cash them in $200.00 increments. The fee is very small (like $3.00). Just make sure you have your passport with you. I feel a lot safer keeping travelers cheques in my safe then cash. You never know if someone at the hotel can still access your room safe when you are out partying with the Ticas.

_________________
Why is air a lot like sex?
It's no big deal unless you're not getting any.

Confucius Says...
"Panties not best thing on earth, but next to best thing on earth"

Agreed that travelors checks can be cashed at most banks in Costa Rica, but not many other places. Do NOT expect to use them to pay for most hotel rooms because they are considered to be like third party checks and the merchants have to wait for them to clear before they get credited to their accounts. Also, it is important to use one of the major brands of travelors checks - like American Express.

I have also learned to buy larger denominations than $20 because it takes forever (after waiting in a long line at the bank) to get them cashed. The process is different from town to town even with the same bank, like BCR. Some places had to make photocopies of each check and required multiple endorsements, some charged a fee and some did not even charge a fee (BCR in Orosi).

The only fun part is when you get to play musical chairs while waiting for a teller (BCR in Puerto Jimenez and others). Instead of taking a number, some banks you just sit in the next vacant chair and everyone moves forward one spot when someone goes to a teller. Average wait time in some cities is about 30-45 minutes.

I have finally learned that the best approach is to take some travelors checks for back up but use your ATM for most of your pocket cash.

Bump to page one.

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

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