www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Ok guys how does this work? Where to exchange? and What is normal? like Mexico 100 dollars is just over 1000 pesos. but its like 10 bucks to get an idea so if you goto walmart and you see something that is 1,000 pesos thats 100 dollars in US> How does it work in Costa Rica and is anything really cheap? Or just lower prices compared to the US?


Everything at Walmart in Acapulco seemed to be reasonable along with US prices.

Not sure what the official exchange rate is at the moment. Last I read it was 521 colones to the dollar. When dealing with chicas, you use a 500 to 1 exchange rate since its easier. So 1000 colones is 2 US dollars.

Hope that helps.

_________________
[url=http://www.amishrakefight.org/gfy/]

This web site will give you the buy(compra)/sell(venta) rate for US dollars at every financial institution in Costa Rica. It is updated daily.

http://indicadoreseconomicos.bccr.fi.cr ... nilla.aspx

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

Thanks this may help more so their system is 1000 col for 2 US dollars.

20000 col is? Going to bring my converter..Thanks guys

20000 is $40 using the 500 to 1 exchange.

Thank ID on that link. Was interesting to see how various banks offer different rates.

_________________
[url=http://www.amishrakefight.org/gfy/]

I normally like to come home with Colones so next time, I have colones ON me when I get to Costa Rica...This time, I did not and although I actually know better, I cashed in $100 at the airport (Down near baggage pickup) and they gave me 476:1....I was in Costa Rica no more than 10 minutes and I already got phucked.

Anyway, right from the airport, I decided to go to Banco de Costa Rica and they gave me 521:1

Never use the cambio booth upon arrival, just go upstairs in the airport and there's a bank in the right corner (BAC?) paying the 521 or close to it. Most hotels or casinos should offer a decent rate (except for the DelRey) or you can go to a gulch bank and stand in line.

Here's a site with a printable cheat-sheet, it's all a newbie needs- clik on "reverse" for the dollar/colone format. http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet

_________________

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

If you are going to use a debit card there is an ATM machine that is more convenient than the bank. It is also on the arrival level and is owned by Cuscatlan Bank. Just go into the garage, directly across from where you exit, take the stairs to the second floor and the machine is right were you enter the terminal. The bank is on the complete opposite side of the arrivals area and will not be open if you have a late arriving flight.

Airport taxi will take USD so there is not great need to get colones until you get to your hotel.

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

The way I think about it is however many thousands you have you double that and that's how many dollars it is. for instance:

18k colones is roughly $36

I got 517.50 at the BAC bank at the airport, the front desk at the Pres. is offering 510.00

_________________

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

To get the highest exchange rates (518-521), you need to wait in line (for like 20-30 minutes) at a bank. NOT WORTH IT to get an extra 2%. (FYI-Colonial casino may give you a good exchange rate too, not sure)

You can get 510 at SL, Prez (as Paco mentioned), and few other places.

If the Colonial is inside the Amon Plaza I was not pleasantly surprised by its exchange rate of LD weekend. But it was better than the HDR, not that one should take that as an endorsement.
But ask Pacifica says....20 colones is 4 cents....so it is not the end of the world. And I only use colones for food, drink, cabs, and tipping the chicas. So I don't need that many.

No, the Colonial is the one behind Del Rey.

Paradiso is the one inside Amon Plaza and the exchange rate is low to only exchange money but higher use to play.

O, thanks for clarification. I have never been to the Colonial but will stop in next trip for a few hands of black jack.