www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello. I am not a newbie, and have a dozen or so trips under my belt, even a few Gulch solos. I just do not post much.
I have not been to CR in over a year, but, PTL, I have a trip scheduled in June. I have been reading a number of articles suggesting that I will have trouble exchanging $100 bills in San Jose. These articles also suggest that banks in San Jose, where I usually exchange US for CR in the morning of day 2 of having my boots on the ground (sorry but airport exchange does not work for me because my wingmen and I are always in too much of a rush to get to our hotel and get busy after the flight), are more strict about exchanging Benjamins than they are with other denominations. I have even read horror stories about banks confiscating even legitimate fresh from the bank $100s. Talk about a disaster.
I tend to get busy as much as I can during my all too brief visits and packing bunches of tens or twenties for the trip down is a pain. C notes are easier, but not if I will have trouble spending or exchanging them (with any one other than cien chicas at the HDR, of course). I know that most banks will require me to present my passport for exchanging currency, but have heard that there are other rules now. I hate to use the ATH machines and a credit card because of cash advance fees and interest rates, (BASTARDS!), but I have not been able to access by checking account in the ATHs on past trips (even though it is on CIRRUS network and I can access it anywhere up her en los EU.)
If you think my best option to banks is casino or hotel, then I would appreciate recommendations wher I might find the best rates and if they have any quirky rules, e.g., like I have to have a room there. (I point this quirky rule thing out because i once wasted my precious CR time away from rafting the Pascua or the Pacuare, or interactive eco touring the wildlife at the HLH, KL, HDR and SL (please note order of preference, and feel free to burn me just for your going to the trouble to read this, thank you) and walking more than half way across the centro to try to pay my damn departure tax, only to be snubbed by the rude hotel clerk who informed me the that was a courtesy extended only to guests of the hotel. At least he did not insist that I be dressed like a nun to enter their "I will never stay there again" lobby. <<Yes, it was THAT HOTEL!>>) I know the Gulch pretty well, so just a name of a recommended hotel or casino wher i could get a good rate with any of their known rules will do.
Any advice on this topic would be much appreciated.
Thanks much.
Cheers.

I always bring benjamins, I always exchange @ the SL or Colonial casino, no muss, no fuss.
Pay your departure tax @ the SL also.
Regards, 911 Driver

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The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

There is no problem what so ever bringing 100 dollar bills and changing them in Costa Rica. You can walk into any bank with your passport and change them to Colon. There are banks all over the place within walking distance of most hotels. Your hotel will usually change the first bill to get you started.

The only risk is getting drunk and letting some little 90pound chica take all your bills while you sleep.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Thank you.
Same as it ever was.
That is what I have done on prior trips.

As for getting drunk, YES!
But that's what room safes are for. I use mine and insist that my wingmen do too.
No sense tempting chicas who have very little with chances to grab a lot and run.
There's only one way to be sure to get money out of this wizened gringo and that's the old fashioned way: EARN IT!

Thanks.
In my experience, the banks give better rates than SL or HDR.
The Colonial Casino near the BM back door has been close enough to bank rate and did not require a passport on prior trips. Good to hear it's still an option. Thanks.

BTW, does the SL allow non-guests to pay the departure tax? We're staying elsewhere on this trip.

If your benjamin has a tear in it, it will not be exxchanged.

I've never had a problem as long as the serial numbers do not begin with CB!

I exchange all my dollars (usually 100s) at the Colonial Casino. Their rate is usually the same as a bank. The downside is that they usually only exchange up to $200 unless you are a player in the casino,when all you do is buy colones at the table and then cash them in at the cage.
The absolute WORST place to exchange money is the HDR. (rate is always terrible)

Thanks to all who replied.
As usual, the information I received from other sources proved in reliable. Good to know things haven't changed that much since my last visit.
Cheers.

Are $50 bills easily accepted?

Man, that would be a tough situation to be in. What do you do? Walk away knowing you've been ripped off, beat the crap out of the Tico manager and spend the rest of your vacation in jail, or just bang their hottest teller for an hour and call it even?

I honestly don't see how this topic is so difficult for so many - exchange at the BANK at the airport (located across the street from arrivals, across from the Spirit ticket counter) after you arrive. Then purchase your Exit Visa - and you are done!

Avoid the Cambios and exchange at the bank only - this avoids your having to deal with:

*Limited dollar amounts at hotels and casinos
*Bad exchange rates
*The hassles with downtown banks - it can take forever, they require a passport (as does the airport bank, but as you likely have it in your pocket, you avoid going to a downtown bank and maybe forgot it in your room safe - and a copy of the front page does not work - they want the passport
*Carrying a large amount of cash while downtown - you have to return to your room after you exchange
*Being pressed for time and there being a line at the Exit Visa place when you leave

Also, have a ready supply of USD $1, 5, 10, and 20's - if you run short on Colonies, much easier to pay for items w/ small change vs worry over paying w/ a $50 - plus you are at the mercy of the merchant/res't and most likely will experience a bad exchange rate.

+1...



Yep, before a trip I always visit my friendly teller and she gives me nice crisp Benjamins... Usually has to sift through a few stacks to get good ones... The last time I did this she asked why I need unmarred Benjamins, so I told her that the terrorista kidnappers in the 3rd world country I was going to preferred them that way...

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"Mongo only pawn in game of life"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3K6UmgJIOw

I switched over to using the cleanest $50s I can get at the bank. Several years ago people were really disinclined to take $100s.

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Moral indignation is in most cases 2% moral, 48% indignation and 50% envy.

VITTORIO DE SICA

For what it's worth, I usually exchange $500 - $800 at a time at the Scotia Bank on Blvd Rohrmoser. No passport needed; no issues. When I've used other banks they've always accepted my copy of my passport.

/dddick