www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Anyone know, what the exchange rate at the airport is? I was going to buy some colons before I went down there from my US bank, and the bank wants to take 32% off the top for fees. So 100 USD only gets me 44,000 colons - 12$ USD processing fee.

If the rate is better at airport, i can just exchange there..

Do not exchange anywhere in the US and do not exchange in the SJO airport currency exchange windows, they are a ripoff.

There is only 1 place in the airport that gives good rates, and that's a small bank booth on the departure level. But you have to exit arrivals, cross the street to the garage, and take the escalator back up and enter the departures terminal. When you enter, you'll see a square booth (lots of red) on the right side marked BAC (Bank of San Jose). There they will exchange at the current rate or very very close to it. You will need your passport.


The current official exchange rate can be found here: http://www.bncr.fi.cr/BN/index.asp?c=home

Look for the table in the center of the page that has the current rates. The COMPRA (buy rate) is how many colones you can buy for 1 USD, used when exchanging dollars to colones. The VENTA (sell rate) is how many colones it will cost you to buy back 1 USD, used when exchanging colones to dollars.

How much do the ones in arrivals ripoff? more than US?

Use the bank upstairs at the airport, depature level to the far right corner
This is a real bank and will give the curent exchange for the day... as of today around 530 to a dollar
Do not get ballonies in the states
Do not use the exchange at bagage claim
If you do not want to bother with going upstairs to change money.... no worries... Taxi will take us $$$$
Then hit a bank in town

Orange beat me to it what he says

Never exchange in the US. Like you said, 32% right off the top + fees? ( )

In the currency exchange windows, plan to get taken for about 15-20%.

Exchanging at you hotel will probably cost you 3-5%. (Note: Dunn Inn exchanges at bank rate, Sleep does close to bank rates with $100 max)

Casinos can be close to bank if you plan on gambling.

SL and Del Rey is usually not a horrible exchange rate either.

Todays rate:

BAC-San Jose 524.50

Exchange booth in arrivals 471.03

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

That's about 10%, I thought it was a lot worse. But I've never really paid any attention to know for sure.

At times it is closer to 15%. Today happens to be on of the better days for those unsuspecting tourists who change money with them.

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

I got in a couple of weeks ago, and went across the street and up the stairs to the departures area like I had read about. I turned left, and was quoted something ridiculous like 460-1. I think that what I should have done was turn right, to where you have to buy your stamp when you leave. I declined to be screwed over, and just waited until I got to the Dunn where they gave me a reasonable rate (something like 520-1).

At SJO on July 5, upstairs BAC San Jose was 530 - 1.

I get exit tax bought and get some colones in about 10 minutes. For me, it's way to convenient to pass up.

Yes the bank is located in the same area where you pay your departure tax.

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

i used my ATM at the Del Rey 6/30 100,000 c cost me $193.42 7/2 cost me $188.79 7/3 cost me $188.61 I dont remember any addl ATM charges I felt that the echange rates were in line