www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Our the banks and bars/casinos accepting the new bills.

Yes most do now but it is better to bring 20 they are taken everywhere as long as they don't have any rips,tape or markings on them sometimes the banks here are a real pain
Jim

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Fow what it is worth I had no problem with the exchange booth in the airport departures area.

Good looking bills.

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never had one turned down

Had two guys change $500 each ($1000 total) at the airport bank today. Cashier looked at each to make sure they were real then gave colones no problem. I have also changed the new ones at banks in both San Ramon and Jaco and no trouble there either.

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These are all good answers but why bring the storm down on yourself? Money belts exist for a reason and as long as you have the correct paperwork, bring in as much as you want in clean $20's. Most major bills can be paid by CC or debit card so we're talking, er, discretionary payments, for which smaller bills are much more appreciated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7cD3DBUn_s

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Good point Jazz... For changing at a bank, $100s (new or old) are fine but don't expect them to be accepted many other places. For anything else, $20s would work much better. Almost any place in Costa Rica from Wal-Mart down to the mom and pop soda will gladly accept a $20 but you may not get the best exchange rate. Most places are using 500-1 so losing around $1 changing a $20 but worth it for the convenience for some folks. Places like casinos and gas stations give a competitive rate, usually just a few colones under the bank rates.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I brought $500 worth in cien notes. Simply because I intended to immediately change it to colones at the airport. As $20 bills my overall stack was feeling a little too thick.

The rest of my bankroll I had in $20 bills for on the ground transactions as suggested above.

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No problem changing them @ the Colonial Casino next-door to the DelRey. At their cashiers cage I changed $300usd one day, & $400usd another day & had no problem. The best thing is the exchange rate is @ the current bank rate, no spread built in.

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I don't want to bring up an old pissing-contest subject again, but can you think of any good reason to maintain USD in Costa Rica, on a short-term vacation?

I know that hotel deals sometimes require payment in USD ... but what else does it do for you? And yes, I am spewing ignorance here. If there is a valid use for USD, please let me know so I can adjust my Labor Day plans.

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

This is my problem too. All those $20 bills just make my bank roll too thick. Better safe than sorry though. Better to have plenty of $20's on hand.

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Tend to agree with you BD...not a lot of reason to have dollars but some people prefer it. I recommend changing into colones myself. What I always did was just use a debit card as needed and took out colones. Paying girls in colones can save about 10% too

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PVT-

Could you please explain this? How are we saving 10%? Is it because we are giving them a 500 to 1 exchange rate? Thanks.

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• Work Hard!
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• Have Fun!
• No Drama!!

Yes, it is easier to calculate.

$100 USD = 53,500 colones (535 exchange rate)
50K colones = ~ $93.50

So if a girl wants $100 you counter with 50K colones and save $6.50...not quite 10% but close.
Counter with 40K colones and save $25.25.

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