www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hi,

Just wanted to know how much you guys bring for a weeks stay if you stay at one of the listed tica friendly hotels for a week, eat middle of the road food and plan to enjoy two ticas per day?

How much would suffice for the week? I know it's a vague question, but any insight would be good.

I have also set up a separate account in my home country and deposited a smaller balance as a backup in case I need to use the ATM. (good idea or bad idea?)

Also what are the ATM fees and are the ATM exchange rates the same as the bank or worse?

In addition, do any ATM dispense USD? (just curious)

What are the normal banking hours in CR? Banks closed on weekends?

Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

Just wanted to know how much you guys bring for a weeks stay if you stay at one of the listed tica friendly hotels for a week, eat middle of the road food and plan to enjoy two ticas per day? $250-300 per day should do if you don't go crazy, MP during the day and SL/DR or Key Largo at night

How much would suffice for the week? I know it's a vague question, but any insight would be good. I just went for 5 nights and 6 days and spent $1800 for food, room, booze and girls but I went a little crazy two days/nights.

I have also set up a separate account in my home country and deposited a smaller balance as a backup in case I need to use the ATM. (good idea or bad idea?) I just use my regular ATM card or VISA card, take money from my regular accounts and never had a problem.

Also what are the ATM fees and are the ATM exchange rates the same as the bank or worse? I took $200 out the ATM at The Del Rey and my credit union changed me $1.60 fee last week.

In addition, do any ATM dispense USD? (just curious) The one in the middle at the Del Rey does.

What are the normal banking hours in CR? Banks closed on weekends? normal hours just like the states. I have never used a bank for anything while in CR. I just use ATM's either out in front of the bank or the one at the Rey (pretty much use the DR one exclusively)

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

Max out of the delrey atm $200 comes with a $5.00 fee, you can get up to maybe more then $1000 from the casino pit they charge a %

Should I just bring enough for a few days and use the atm as needed or bring all that I need.

I'm worried about hotel security, thus I'm not sure I want to bring my weekly loot...hahaha

If you can keep track of your card, then you get money as you go and not risk some drunk prego bitch trying to hit the jackpot while you are on a 3am beer run for her

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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

Thanks you.

Thank you.

Have used the ATM in the Colonial Casino, several times, with never any problems. I don't think they dispense dollars tho, or if they did i did not elect dollars.

Bobby

Don't bring travelers checks. They are not widely accepted in CR.

RAC

Travellers cheques are safe but big drawback is having to go to a bank with your passport and then if I remember correctly they charge a fee too.
Usually hotels will give you a discount of at least 10% if you pay with cash.
Girls accept Dollars or Colones but best to pay restaurants and locals in colonies or they will give you change at whatever rate they feel like.
Expect to spend about $200/day at least. For me 2 girls a day is about $100. Expect to pay same restaurant prices as the US unless you eat in cheap Tico joints.
ATM fees add up quickly unless you use a debit card and also have the card from Capital One or a CREDIT UNION. The big banks charge foreign exchange fees and the ATM you use can charge up to $5 per transaction.
I carry around $2000 in cash and my main worry is to get from the airport to the hotel safely. Then everything is in the safe. I carry a mixture of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1.
I always plan to arrive in the day time and take a reliable cab since i have phone, cash and computer too.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

If you choose to bring in USD be sure that they are not ripped, torn, no writing on them, etc.

I go to the bank the day before I leave and make them go through each bill.

health & happiness..........

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

Ever hear of bros getting jacked in the cab?

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Ever hear of a money belt, cash is king http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Lugga ... pd_sbs_a_2

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

I have used my ATM card all over CR, before you depart for CR call your bank and tell them the place you are going and dates of your stay otherwise your card my be shut down. I used to have a bank that charged a 5 dollar fee for each with drawl and felt it was worth it not to have a lot of cash on hand. The bank I have now does not charge a fee so I only pay the CR fee which is minimal.
As for how much to budget per day, I usually budget $300 that includes some money for playing cards.
Bottom line I use the ATMs and monitor my account closely every morning, never had a issue.