www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Not sure about the Amistad... but in general look at the cost in dollars, look at it in colones... and using the exchange rate that you can get (not an online quote of a mid-market rate) figure out which is cheaper. I use the calculator on my phone. The business you are dealing with may "prefer" one over the other...depending on their set up. If they want US dollars they might be giving you the best deal there... if they operate in colones you will probably get the best deal there. I've encountered both. And often the difference is significant... most often, at most businesses in Costa Rica, it is a better deal in colones. But with some of the foreign owned businesses this may not be the case. Only way to know is to do the math.

Cash dollars

You need to make a decision, let me help you!!!!!
1. Pay in cash US Dollars.
2. Pay with an internationally recognized Debit Card.
3. Pay with an internationally recognized Credit Card.
4. Pay in Colones.
5. Now this is where it gets interesting, pay in foreign currency, here is a link to all foreign currency:
http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
Now by my calculations you will save $28.00 US Dollars if you use Fijian dollars,
That is based upon a 5 day trip.
If that puts you in a bind for your trip you should cancel and save more $$$$
But wait there’s more, something I forgot about:
Phucking Taxi’s:
Uber, Red Cab, Yellow Cab, PVT, Pirates and the rest.
If you really barter and try you could save an additional, yep you got it $7.78 US Dollars!!
Damn my man your now on 6th street for that $ 35.78 blow job,
Life is Good

Regards, 911 Driver

_________________
The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

I recommend never paying with a debit card. When I was flying, my company forbid me from paying travel expenses (for which I got reimbursed) with a debit card.

When you pay with a debit card, you don't automatically have the protection that you usually get with a credit card, plus the credit card can't access your bank account. I was browsing through some old posts, so I know that there are some people on this board who have gotten bitten by using a debit card. If a debit card is stolen, they don't need your PIN to use the card, either.

I realize the post was made in jest, but thought I'd throw that out there, anyway.

[quote="911 Driver"]You need to make a decision, let me help you!!!!!
1. Pay in cash US Dollars.
2. Pay with an internationally recognized Debit Card.
3. Pay with an internationally recognized Credit Card.
4. Pay in Colones.
5. Now this is where it gets interesting, pay in foreign currency, here is a link to all foreign currency:
http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
Now by my calculations you will save $28.00 US Dollars if you use Fijian dollars,
That is based upon a 5 day trip.
If that puts you in a bind for your trip you should cancel and save more $$$$
But wait there’s more, something I forgot about:
Phucking Taxi’s:
Uber, Red Cab, Yellow Cab, PVT, Pirates and the rest.
If you really barter and try you could save an additional, yep you got it $7.78 US Dollars!!
Damn my man your now on 6th street for that $ 35.78 blow job,
Life is Good


Where does Bit Coin fit in here?

LOL... I was going to get into that... but to cut to the chase... bitcoin does not help.

However, if you use a Schwab debit card, you could ensure there is only a certain amt. of dollars in there. Sure, I guess it could still be charged, but only up to how much you had in the "checking acct" etc...if you set it up so they don't automatically take from your brokerage acct if it runs down to zero.

Yeah but they gotta have your zip code

Why is this thread 2 pages long? Really... you don't know how to pay a bill?

If the bill is quoted in USD, pay in USD.
If the bill is quoted in Colones, pay in Colones.

Paying this way avoids currency conversions which are usually at unfavorable exchange rates to the customer. phucking maldito rent-a-cars do this all the time. Quote in dollars but then charge in Colones at about 50 Colones more per dollar than the current rate. Screw you out of 10%.

Avoid using card (credit or debit) in Latin America because the banks charge a relatively large % to the merchants for each transaction, so the merchants often add a fee to cover the bank fee (and a small commission for themselves --I've seen some hotels add 15% for CC payment, I don't think the banks charge that much. The Mansion in Colombia adds 25% for credit card payments. Greedy bastards!) Also, if they charge in Colones but quote in dollars, they will do a currency conversion too, in addition to the 15% CC fee. You get double phucked.

Probably the same reason other threads are even 5 times longer. And we could all do without the condescension. We don't all live in CR and as you can see by the posts, there are some variables not obvious. But thanks for the response. Obviously folks thought they had something to add or they wouldn't have. I didn't ask you to.

truly remarkable that its even a question
cash is king and always has been

_________________
im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Nope. You just have to run it as a credit card instead of as a debit card. You only need the card number, expiration date, and (usually) the CID number. This works even for CNP and Online transactions.

Some card issuers allow you to add additional protections to your debit card, but since most of that capability hasn't been implemented in Costa Rica, not only would a thief not be able to use it, you wouldn't be able to use your card, either. Lots of places here still don't take the cards without the raised numbers.

Good point about needing a card with the raised numbers.
They do not want to write up the card number and very often not accept it even to make a sale

_________________
Softbob

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