www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Where's a good place in San Jose to change dollars into colones these days? What rates have you been getting recently? Gracias.

Any bank will give you the official bank rate. Colonial Casino will give you close to that.

As of about 3 weeks ago, most hotels offered 485. I got 490 at Amistad.

But if you look at it, unless your changing $5000 or more, the 10 colone difference is not a big loss. It's about $20 if you change $1,000. Call it a convenience charge; what you pay to not waste 35 minutes in line at the bank. If I can get 480-490, that's good enough for me.

Just don't change money at the baggage claim area at the airport. They exchange at like 410-420.

I usually use the ATMs in the DR - one dispenses USD - the other CRC...or the ATMs just east (across the street) from the gold museum. Never had a problem with machines at either place.

I have gotten to where I usually don't exchange a lot of currency. Most places will take the US dollar. I usually only exchange about $150 per 5 day trip.

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Now, I am back in the game!

The Colonial Casino exchange rate is 492, the Presidente 485.

BCR is now paying 504 - I got that on Saturday in Quepos. Not sure what the rate is in San Jose?

In my opinion teh best place to exchange money is the ATM because you get the best rate.

Just as we are leaving the air port, we go up stairs and pay our exit fee and exchange our cash at the bank in the corner just left of where you pay for your exit tax. Down stairs at the air port the rates suck but up stairs it is always a better rate, plus you walk right out the door and jump in a cab that just dropped someone off and away you go.

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A car moves your body, a Harley moves your soul.

I'm a little doubtful of this, because the bank usually takes a cut on the exchange rate. Has anyone ever done the math between the amount of Colones you withdrew and the amount of Dollars your bank charged to see true rate? In Europe, you get worse rates this way.

Yes. My credit union in Florida is usually 2 or 3 colones less then the rate I get at Scotia Bank in Costa Rica. Every bank sets their own rate so some may be better some not as good.

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

Has the rate jumped back over 500? What's the current bank rate?

Today the exchange rate is 511 colones per dollar.

Kinder:

I know some banks change a lot to withdraw money. If you have a special ATM card, your fees for withdrawing money are waived by the bank. When I get money from an ATM in Costa Rica I only pay a fee to the ATM in Costa Rica (that is usually 1% of the amount). My bank in the States doesn't charge anything. So, for me it is convenient and better to just go to an ATM go get cash.

This web site from the Central Bank of Costa Rica, which is the CR equivelent of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank, will give the exchange rate being used today by every financial institution in CR. Bookmark it and you will always be able to obtain todays rate. You can also use the calender icon on the bottom to check what the rate was on past days.

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

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

Most public banks and Scotia are at 515.

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