www.CostaRicaTicas.com

36 hours to first trip. Last minute question. I notice that some of the things I would like to do ask for payment in $USD. Can I use the ATM for $US?

I never used an ATM there, so can't comment on that.

I do suggest you bring at least $100 in singles.
They work everywhere, and $2 or $3 will cover most any local taxi ride.
Much better than all those colones required.

I have yet to find a ATM that dispenses dollars though I seem to recall one a couple years back but either I fried my brain or I just don't remember if I was dreaming.

Just a note, you will be much better off dealing in Colones than dollars you will really save a ton even with the small stuff.

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Thank you for supporting CRT!

I personally pay for everything after the cab ride from the airport in colones because you almost if not always get a better price.I have found some of the local places certainly prefer colones.Chicas like colones just as good as dollars as well and I am just used to negotiating that way.Some ATM's do give an option of dollars or colones but I can't remember which.When you pay in dollars you hardly ever get a good exchange rate.Just my two colones worth.I even like to take a few home to start the next trip because I always hope it will be soon.rbc100

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

RBC is the man with experience.
I change my reply to; listen to RBC.

herb i am jealous of u....i wish i had 36 hours to domy first trip all over again...have fun

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When I'm sitting at the Cigar Bar having a beer at Zona Blue, I think to myself, "What would Tony Soprano do?"

Not dreaming Admin 1 Red Total Machines dispense US dollars or colones your choice.



Better be soon RBC as you loosing everyday. The colones is devalued daily.

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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

You can get US dollars out of that clutch of ATH machines on the lower floor of the new mall across the Ave from Chelles, on the same side of the block as Balmoral.

Novice wrote:



They are Red Total machines they also have other locations thru-out SJ.

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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

That brings up an interesting question. I use ATM's on occasion but for the most part leave enough dollars in the safe. The new mall is nice over there and the Total machines are secure inside the booths inside the mall very safe!

Now is there an advantage to getting US dollars out of the machines then getting a good exchange rate? You know exactly at that point you are only going to get whatever surcharge that your bank charges you. In my case foregin ATM fee & the NOT MY BANK Fee. Which is a total of $3.50 to use a foreign ATM in total.

I wonder if I get hosed by taking colones as I never stopped to figure out what exchange rate they were giving me on top of their $3.50 fee..

Thoughts? Take the $3.50 out of the picture for a second.

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The Boss of All Bosses!!! Hey I'm a drunk alcoholics go to meetings!

Herb,

The ATM one block up from presedente ( next to burger king) is the one I use ...there are 2 on the same side of the street. Use the second one. Not the one closest to Burger King.
It will give you a choice Colonies or Dollars

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" I have neither the time nor the inclination to expain myself "

Capo - Hmmm…This was in my current Bank of America statement:


Effective April 2, 2005, if you use your check Card or ATM Card to purchase goods or services (or obtain cash from an ATM) in currency other than US dollars, the currency conversion exchange rate used by Visa will be:

a rate selected by Visa from a range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable central processing date, which rate may differ from the rate Visa receives, or the government – mandated rate in effect for the central processing date. Visa will no longer add a 1% adjustment factor and show it as part of the US dollar amount. Please call the number on this statement with questions…..

What does this mean? I think it means I are Phucked…This can’t be for the better…


On March 4 I took out 100K colons from the ATH in San Jose and on the statement got charged $217.30 on this current statement, basically 460 colons per $. (forgetting about the Fee) OK… good enough exchange rate for then huh? It will be interesting to see how this changes with the new deal. I have a feeling this new policy is not restricted to B of A…

......................................................................

PS: I don’t go the meetings either

Thanks to everyone. Colones it will be. Pocket Rockets packed and ready to go. ZB, Oasis, and the BM here I come!!!!!!!!!! With some Calle 6 on the side!!!!!!

I would have to say Yes, you do get hosed. Whether it is a small hose or a large hose depends on your bank. I know this because I have used 2 different bank check cards to get cash from the same ATM one right after the other in Rio. The official exchange rate that day I think was 3.28 Reais to $1.00. The bank of America card gave 3.26 Reais and the Citibank card gave 3.20 Reais. So I close the account with Citibank.

While talking about the rate. I've never seen the exchange rate stated on the ATM receipts in Costa Rica like I do in receipts from Rio, Brazil.

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Live today as it was your last day, for tomorrow may never come.

The ATH machine on C3 at the bus stop across from Thrify dispenses dollars.

I hate using dollars for the hobby, though. Even at a penalty, I would use local currency. Like casino chips.

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SlickWings


Seems like I spend half my life drinking, gambling, and mongering. The other half... I waste.