www.CostaRicaTicas.com

So close to my madien voyage to CR. Another two weeks and I will be there. Tell me, should I purchase colon's before I leave or can I get by (or buy) with just using dollars during my trip? I plan to stay in Gringo Gulch area and not venturing out. My stay is for just 5 days. I was thinking of purchasing $1000 worth of dollars. However, can get by with the dollar everywhere?....should I bother with the colon?

Itissteve:

Bienvenidos Mae! I'm sure you are excited about your trip. Here is what I do regarding Colones/U$...

I never convert $ to Colones at a US airport. I once converted $ to Colones at the San Jose airport downstairs....after the 10% haircut I took..I never did it again.

It isn't really necessary to convert $ right away. Cab into the gulch should run 20-26$.

If you convert at the airport, use the BCR ATM upon arrival, in the gate area before going through Immigration...or after Immigration and Customs, go out the front of the airport, cross the street, take the escalator to the departure area, enter the terminal and turn right...go all the way almost to the wall to the bank kiosk by the exit tax booth. They will give you the bank rate there.

Here is what I do..pay U$ for the cab. If the hotel has a good exchange rate, change some at the hotel..but don't go overboard..this stuff can be like Monopoly money if you aren't used to it. If I need to exchange more..I walk to the INS building, go to the second floor and use the BCR ATM. I've never been charged a fee there...your bank may vary.

I tend to roll U$ heavy and Colone light.

Have a great trip.
CH

I agree with Mr. Crazy, though I usually do just the opposite. Our apartment is in Rohrmoser so within a day or so of arriving I'll often change $1K or more at the local Scotia Bank. No fees & a very good rate (considering the bashing the dollar is getting.....thanks US government....). I only use USDs in the casinos. On the other hand, I visit once a month or so so when I return next week I'll have about $600 in colones already in my backpack.

/dddick

Geeshhh, I thought this post was about gastrointestinal stuff...I was going to recommend colon flush...oh well

Colon Flow really gets me going

To the OP, FYI it's colones

have any of the new bills hit the street? 20k? 50k?

50k notes are not yet circulated. I have seen very few 20k notes.

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

Surprising. I live here and have seen 2 20k notes since they were circulated. Where are you seeing all these 20k notes?

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

In January I exchanged $500usd at the bank upstairs at the airport upon arrival & they gave me the whole thing in 20k notes. Cheap ass that I am, I tried, unsucessfully, to spread them 1 at a time through the chica population of San Jose.

_________________
"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969