www.CostaRicaTicas.com

When visiting CR we usually have Amex send us colones and charge it to our CC prior to going, we do not have that luxury do to time this trip.
what is you rbest advice for exchange services either in South Florida (leaving for CR in a couple of days) or in San Jose itself?

thanks in advance
Tony

I always use the bank on the departures on the second floor.

DO NOT exchange in SoFla either at AMEX. your bank, exchange at the airport in SoFla or the exchange at the San Jose airport. You will get a lousy rate of exchange at any of those.

You can go to the second floor (departure level) at SJO and exchange at the bank there as has been suggested. If you do not want to trex upstairs use one of the ATM's in baggage claim to draw out some colones.

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

Me too I find the rate here very good...

_________________
"THE TRUTH IS' EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONE WORTH SUFFERING FOR"
Robert Nesta Marley

I've had good luck at the cashiers cage at the colonial casino next to the Del Rey and the Sleep Inn. Their rates seemed VERY competative and never a problem changing out $100 USD bills.

http://www.sleepinnsanjose.com/casino_colonial.html

Good luck

The web link below tracks ALL exchange rates for Costa Rican banks and other "financial institutions" on a daily basis. Suggestion: The search engine on the web site usually works pretty well. Conclusion: Lazy poster.....


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

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

The Colonial gives a decent rate, even though you know you're getting a little screwed no matter where you go.... I went to a CR bank once, only got a little better rate than DR.

Last visit Nov 09, I got around 550-1 at DR. Bank was around 560 I think. Those smaller amounts are acceptable losses...

Really?? i thought money exchange facilities at airports usually have the worst exchange rates.

if this is true at SJO, do u suggest exchanging all of my money at that bank once i arrive?

You are staying with us at the Dunn Inn. We exchange currency for guests at the daily bank rate with no haircut. (This is for guests only).
Restaurant and bar patrons are given the same exchange.

BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

You are basically correct in your statement that money exchange facilities have the worst rate. That is also the case at SJO.

The money exchange facility is located in the baggage claim area avoid it like the plague. However, the previous posters were referring to the bank located on the upper floor in the ticket counter area. That facility gives the normal bank rate.

No need to exchange all your money unless you want to. Just exchange like a $50.00 or 100 to pay expenses while you settle in and then use a bank near your hotel to exchange more as needed.

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

We got to SJ Jan 8th the current exchange rate was 548 to 1 at the airport in SJ they were offering 513 to 1 checked into El Presidente and posted on the wall they were offering 555 to 1. Needless to say I exchanged 1000.00 when I checked in. You need to be staying there to get excange rate and there was no limit on the amount.

Del Rey had the worst rate of anywhere I saw on my trip, but that is likely because their rate was posted on a pretty old looking piece of paper taped to the wall which doesnt change daily like the banks do. You might be able to arbitrage this to find the best rate to buy, but the Del Rey's spreads were huge (like 520 to buy 570 to sell). The bank was 570 to buy, and only one or two colones higher to sell.

Best advice i'd give ya is check the internet the day you leave to know what the rate should be (google "USD to CRC"), then compare that to what you find at various places your first day. Rate fluctuates pretty significantly, going from 577 down to 548 in the past two weeks. Adds up to about $5 diff per $100.

This past weekend I got the following rates when exchanging USD to C

La Amistad: between 543 -548, when I left today it was 547

Sportsmen: 540 all week

Colonial Casino: 550