www.CostaRicaTicas.com

We have not met, but wearing the Arab headdress, and the "I support Al Quieda" and "Osama got a bad deal" buttons might not be the best ideas, savvy.


I've exchanged at the SJO BANK more times than I can count - you give them your passport, and I always ask for small denomination bills - that's it - what questions are you referring to - you have me curious.

I know a lot of what we post is our opinion, but 40+ trips convince me:

The Currency Exchanges at SJO are a rip off - you will lose 10% + by exchanging there - only use the airport bank

Rather than going to a bank in downtown San Jose, and walking around town carrying a lot of cash, possibly waiting on line, adding a further step and possible complication to the process, IF THE AIRPORT BANK IS OPEN, CHANGE MONEY THERE - PERIOD.

At the same time, since its only steps away, and very seldom is there a line, buy your exit visa now, before you exit the airport -
yeah, I know some hotels sell them (and the time youneed one the hotel is out of them, their computer link is down, they only have enough for their guests, you remembered you needed one when in the cab departing ..... whatever)....and you just know this is the one time there is gonna be a huge line to buy them at the airport , but again - do things when you can.

BD - what, you go to a Walmart on the way to your hotel - that seems an unnecessary and potentially dangerous extra step vs using the airport bank


Now, fess up time:

I'm a fairly friendly, outgoing guy, and likely a lot better looking than you - I also speak some Spanish, a lot more than the average jamoke - I've never been asked ANYTHING at the bank, except for my passport - so time to fess up - what the Phuck are you talking about

I mean really - like what:

How many whores you intend to f.u.c.k while there
Do you eat pu*sy
If you know "tica" means Costa Rican female
How much the guest fee is at the HDR
If you knew Scores and Zona 2 are under new ownership


You know, BD, your post reminds me of the guy who goes to the airport and complains the clerk at the ticket counter was intrusive - when asked what he means, the guy says, "he even asked me personal questions, like where I was going......"

You are a good guy and I like you but sorry, your post did not make sense to me, unless your intent was to drive business to Walmart (like they need your help )

All, I use the ATM machines at the banks and airport with no problem. They ask if I want Colones or $$. Am I making a mistake?

yep ,,,one slit gives you money and another slit takes it

I don't use the tellers at the arrivals, but I do use the machines.
What's the downside of the machines?

What is the down side to the machines (ATMs)?

Do not know that there is a downside always. But as with a lot of other things in life (especially here in CR) there are a lot of variables that may or may not come in to play.

Different bank ATMs may or may not charge an additional fee. BCR does not.

Depending on your bank in the states, there may or may not be a fee if you obtain colones rather than dollors--B of America charges $5 for this on top of their $5 fee for using an "out of country" ATM.

ATMs normally give you the exchange rate of the bank that owns the machine. This can vary as much as 5-6 colones per dollar - not a big deal (only maybe 1%) unless you are changing large amounts of money or as is my case, several times a month every month. Then it can add up.

Not all ATMs here will give you dollars. For example, Banco National ATMs only give colones, BCR usually has 2 or more machines in each location with usually only one that gives either dollars or colones.

None of this is that important to the average tourist changing a few hundred once or twice while here on vacation. As I said earlier, if living here and using ATMs several times a month, yes one should investigate all the ups and downs for the different banks and for your bank in the states.

For me living here and being retired, I use the ATM 3-4 times a month. Getting colones would cost me $15-$20 a month or over $200 a year. I am retired and have more time than anything else so I get dollars, go to the Colonial casino and change them to colones--almost never a line (in banks, almost always a wait), no ID required (most banks require your passport, will not accept a copy), Colonial almost always gives better than bank rate. If you have 100s they will normally only change one at a time, but the ATMs give you only 20s and you can almost always change $200-$300 at a time.

One other piece of advise!! Some guys on here say just use dollars to pay for everything here. Those are guys who are also getting ripped off quite often. Take the time to understand the exchange rate--for a long time the national bank rate has been around 493-495. Round that off to 500 to 1 and you can quickly convert the price to dollars (approximate) Many retail business and restaurants do not like taking dollars and will exchange at a rate heavily in their favor, Taxistas love taking dollars. If you try to pay him in dollars you have just told him you are a tourist ripe to be taken, and he will exchange at a very, very low rate!! Have heard of them changing at 400 to one. I NEVER pay for anything in dollars except my rent which is specified in my lease as is often the case here.

Hope this helps a little.

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Thanks for the insight. It is very helpful