www.CostaRicaTicas.com

1) Does SL charge a fee for using a credit card for paying for your room? I know many hotels have this practice but not certain about SL. Also, does the CRT discount reflect only paying cash?


2) I am bringing my laptop to CR for the first time ... do I need an adapter? Or are the outlets the same as in the USA?


Thanks guys.

I can only answer question #2. The power is the same as the US and so are the electrical outlets so no adapter needed. The SL has 802.11N wireless through out the hotel. I was getting four bar signal strength in the new mansion section room.

I'd PM Brother True Sportsman directly about question #1--that might be a legally touchy subject.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Almost all CR merchants offer a cash discount. CC fees can be as high as 10% so it always pays to ask. Have gotten a cash discount from vendors at the Mercado Central of all places.

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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

are the outlets at the SL a three prong type or the old two prong type found much in central American?

My laptop needs a 3-prong and I was going to get an adapter if I needed one.

Legally touchy? I dont understand, as it might be illegal to use your credit card?

I was expecting that question. No, the legally touchy part is the contracts that venues sign with CC companies and the covenants they may have about surcharging CCs and/or offering discounts for cash. Not an issue with Mercado Central or other small under-the-radar businesses, but maybe (I emphasize maybe) civilly legally hinky for the more prominent Gringo-centric venues that generate more CC activity. I'd so love to be dead wrong about this.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

second that.. i've never been charged an extra fee from SL, but my Citibank mastercard charged me a "foreign currency transaction fee"..

bastards

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Enzo

Now in High Definition!

I agree......bastards!!!!

As of Feb. 2010, Visa (BP Visa) and Discover charge a 3% "foreign currency transaction/conversion fee". Not sure about the % that Citibank MC charges (probably also 3%). Just call the customer service # listed on the back of the credit card and ask them. I always call the credit card company in advance of my travel to CR and ask what the % charge is and advise them that I will be in CR between certain dates, so that way the charges to my card will not be refused by the credit card company, so they will not think that it is a fraudulent charge.

The vast majority of merchants in CR are using credomatic for credit card processing. So your charges are processed in colones and converted by your cc company resulting in fees and conversion differentials. Cash offers will save you and the hotel money.

BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

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BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

thanks everybody!