www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Scuba, we don't know what his idea of 'a little' is. He might be bringing 10k, and only planning on converting 1k at a time.

He's got the right pattern. Let him work out what works best for him. Starting a day at the conversion window might be a good thing to him.

_________________
bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Trust me BD - he's not bringing in 10K

But he can answer for himself - thought his answer was strange based on his original post, and subsequent ones.

The world doesn't always run by logic, Scuba. I get your point though. I'm not new to this...been to Thailand 15 times and almost all of the other SEA countries multiple times. Different opinions on how to exchange money there , too, and most are valid points. Thanks for your advice.

Woohoo! Excellent info in this thread. I am flying into SJO on a Saturday but not arriving until after 10pm. Is the exchange place on the second floor of the airport open that late on a Saturday night?

Does anyone know how late WalMart is open? I'll be staying at La Amistad and I imagine it would be an easy walk from there to Wally World.

the airport bank will be closed. No clue about Walmart. Remember, it's not just the store, the exchange window must also be open.

Your best bet may be Colonial Casino that late at night. But I don't really know if there is another option.

_________________
bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

+1

Go to the Colonial Casino at that hour. It's next to the Del Rey.

Well, you know, BD, I appreciate your suggestions but...

I've always known Casinos to give shitty exchange rates, plus, I have a bit of a problem and therefore try to stay away from them.

I have no effin' idea where a Walmart even is, and I know for damn sure there is not one within easy (five minutes) walk from any of the four or so hotels that are right there around Castillo and Sportsman's area.

The bank in the airport will be closed when I arrive, which will wither be Friday night or Saturday morning. It always is, and therefore I have never used it.

I don't know where I said anything that led you to believe that my suggestion is anything difficult. There are many places in Costa Rica that have security guards checking folks at the front door. It's not like it's a full body cavity search. And as far as the wait, I've never been there for longer than about 30 minutes, but it is kinda like the DMV in the U.S.. I kind of like the take a number and sit in a comfortable chair until it's your turn approach rather than standing in line for the same amount of time anyway.

I know your are THE Costa Rica expert, and you probably know ten ways to do any activity better there than I do, but I tend to like to do things my own way. Right or wrong, it's always worked out, and I always have a great time. And after all, I was only making a suggestion, which was originally given to me by a long time member of this forum a few years ago. He is apparently no longer active here, although I know he still travels all over Central and South America.

I'm guessing he has stopped posting on CRT due to people like... You!

_________________
I can't deny it, with that smile on her face. It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase!

Scuba1,

Yes I was trying to be somewhat humorous, although I guess it failed to land in your case. That's okay, I can't win them all, right.

The bank I suggest is very convenient for me. It's an easy (five minute) walk from any of the hotels at which I have ever stayed.

I have never considered feeling like the bank I am in is secure to be a hassle. It's not like the security guard is giving full body cavity searches, just a quick frisk. The longest amount of time I have ever had to wait there is about 30 minutes. I will admit that they do work like the DMV here in the States. There are employees there that seem to do nothing and leave you wondering why they are not helping people, but this happens in banks everywhere. And here you get to take a number and sit and wait your turn, rather than stand in line for the same amount of time at most other banks.

I think exchange rate is the subject here, as well as where exchanging is most convenient. If exchange rate didn't matter, you all would tell everyone that asks to exchange all their money right there at the cambio, while they wait for their overpriced taxi.

And as far as the dress code, it's not really even a dress code, more like a security thing. Most banks will not allow you in while wearing sunglasses or a hat. As far as the shorts thing, I might have been wrong about that, but I don't wear shorts in San Jose anyway, so it has never been an issue. I think it has been suggested many times on CRT that wearing shorts in SJ makes you stand out like an easy mark, newbie tourist.

You know, I really don't know where guys such as You and BashfulDwarf get off attacking someone else's suggestion like that. After all, it was merely a suggestion. I wasn't telling they guy, or anyone, that my way is the best or anything. Just suggesting a different place that you can exchange money, that is convenient to several hotels, and gives a good rate.

Now, the last time I visited Costa Rica was in October 2009, for my 40th birthday. I have not been on CRT myself much since then, but I have been on here quite a lot recently since I have been planning to return this October for my 45th birthday. When I came back here a few months ago to start researching what is new, and what I'll want to do when I am there, I noticed that many of the guys whose posts I used to like to read, and were very informative, are no longer posting here.

I'm guessing attack posters like you and BashfulDwarf are one of the main reasons people go away. Stuff like this eventually kills message board websites, when all you have left is a bunch of argumentative members taking turns bashing each other and no one ever posts any real new information.

_________________
I can't deny it, with that smile on her face. It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase!

I have a great sense of humor - and what you were posting was your experience - I think there are far better ways to accomplish what 99% of the visitors need, which is changing money.

Frankly, what I suggested makes more sense for the vast majority - if you don't agree, re read my post.

Just because someone has a way they do things does not make it the right way, or the best way.

You posted on a message board - and while Johnny Carson you are not, ANY post is fair game for others to comment - remember - I'm in no way attacking you for your post - but its my right to comment on what you wrote - and the way you describe it - there are better ways.

BD Can offer his own comments.

Frankly, I wish more guys would post - but if you are thin skinned, this is the wrong place for you.

WTF dude? Exactly which of my postings did I come off as the know-it-all asshole you feel obligated to treat me as?

All that I did was point out other options to you. My apologies if that was not what you intended.

_________________
bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

I think some people can really take things the wrong way and go off on a tangent. It really has happened alot to me when texting. I leave out a word or type something the wrong way and it gets blown out of proportion all because I cant see as well anymore and miss a letter or word here and there. there are many different people on this site with many different personalities. It's hard to know how to take something without seeing the persons face or having never met them before. I think trying to be sarcastic or funny will get by some of the readers and will have the potential to seem like bashing. I have been to SJ twice in the last 6 months or so and will be returning in a week. I'm usually way hung over when leaving and never knew there was even a bank on the departure side. On this trip I will get to the airport about an hour before my friends arrive and will use that time to purchase my exit stamp and exchange some money. I wouldn't of even known to do that if it wasn't for people like Bash and Scuba...So thanks guys, you made things convenient for me and gave me something to do while waiting.

I'm a little confused about something...If the exchange rates is 550 and you use the ATM to withdraw 500, will it give you 550 in Colones?

You would request in the currency you want to take out. If you want Colones, you would request in Colones.

I know you have a choice at the ATM. My question is do you get the exchange rate? If I request 500 in Colones, will it only cost me 450 from my bank account? Is that right or am I confused? If I walk into the bank and ask to exchange 500 dollars they are going to give me equal to 550 in Colones?..LMAO! I'm CONFUSING MYSELF..

The ATMs in CR give colones in denominations of 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000. Some machines give only the 20,000 denomination (those machines have a notice about that glued to the wall). Many machines will ask you if you want colones or dollars.

So if you withdraw a certain amount in colones, your home account will be debited with the appropriate amount of dollars, which will be dependent on the exchange rate that your home bank uses.

You cannot get ONLY 500 colones or ONLY 1,000 colones from an ATM in CR. So there is "wiggle room" for your home bank to use whatever exchange rate they choose to use.

If you do an exchange with a live bank teller, you will get the exact "coinage" for your transaction, even if it means a few colones. The smallest coin in CR is 5 colones (about one U.S. penny).