www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Forget Alajuela, there's nothing there. Get your ass to San Jose, and get a room at Sportsmens Lodge or Hotel Del Rey. You will be in the middle of the action. For a first timer, I'd go with Sportsmens. Book ASAP, they fill up fast. The women aren't all sharks like Del Rey. That's better since you will be chum with the "deer in the headlights" look.

Read from the beginning of this thread for helpful info.

Man I wish I could skip Alajuela and just be in san jose but my job has booked me out there, but no worries a quick ride to the city and a one night hotel is a easy price to pay for some pu*sy . And thanks for the advice guys I know theres not much else to say that already hasn't been said here but i'm just dying from the anticipation and I have read everything I can now so now its just time to get there.

Head to the Del Rey, Key Largo, Sportsman are the main attractions

Where do they have you booked to stay (what town) I might have some ideas for you.

Puta does not = tica.

Only got this after a few trips,

first timer staying at SL next weekend. pretty excited

Best thing about Costa Rica lots of gringos to hang out with

Worst thing about Costa Rica- lots of gringos inflated prices

Wouldnt say the best part is the gringos, thats secondary But definitely a plus

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Entertainment purposes only, nothing posted above is true nor reflects reality nor my experience.

Hey everyone,

An absolute newbie here but thankful for you all and your wealth of information. In reading over the posts I've come across one major problem. I'll be coming to SJ and Jaco in March for the first time but having issues with currency. I'll be coming from Canada. I know many of you mentioned exchanging at the airport or at the Casino/Bank etc. My only issue is that my bank won't guarantee I can withdraw from the ATM's in Costa Rica. I also don't want to bring Canadian currency if I'm going to get ripped off. I chatted with the owner of La Amistad who advised me that it would be difficult to exchange Canadian. So my question is whether my only action is to then convert my Canadian into American dollars before going? Also do you guys generally pay in American or Colones? What would you do in this case? I really appreciate the help.

ask your bank to get you some CRC colones before you fly out. That way you don't get hit twice with an exchange fee.

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If you see me at the bottom, please bring me my running shoes!

Never had a problem using my canuck debit card at the CR atm. Think your canuck bank is trying to earn money from service charges.

Fellow canuck told me Scotiabank CR will exchange your loonies for colones. Have to show your passport. Never tried so don't know if that's possible.

Ask your bank what rate they will give you if you buy colones. If it is a rip off low rate and service fees too, do not change any.
You should be safe with American dollars.
I think Scotia bank is Canadian or operates in Canada. Talk to them Ask if they will give you colones with your ATM card in Costa Rica.
I think your bank is talking shit. But you will be paying foreign transation fees and exchange rate fees using your ATM bank card.
For traveling abroad you need to look into getting a card that does not charge fees.
In the US you can get a Charles Schawab card or Capital one 360 card. Maybe American Express too.
Hope another Canadian will chime in with advice.

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Softbob

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

I unfortunately don't use scotiabank, but i use TD bank. This came directly from them. i also asked them about changing to colones and they gave me a quote of minimum $5000 canadian to do so which is out of my range. i also went to calforex which is an exchange spot that is popular here, but they only had large denominations of colones. not sure what to do here guys. do you guys suggest paying in american dollars? or is colones still preferred? i can exchange to american easily from here, but i don't want to have to exchange again and get screwed. looking for the best bang for my buck!

I bank with Scotia, Tangerine, and TD. I have use all 3 bank cards in CR with no problems. This is 2018! You can use your bank card to withdraw funds from any atm in the world. Ok maybe not in N.Korea. You'll get charge a $5 atm fee from TD and a 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee.

The bank probably only deals with higher denomination notes

The largest denomination colone is 50 mil or the equivalent of about $90-95 US at this time, The old rule of thumb was to drop the last three zeros on the bill and divide by 2 when the exchange rate was close to 500-1. The rate now is closer to 575 to 1 US right now. For example a 50 mil note is about $100 at 500-1, a 20 mil note was worth $40 at 500-1 a 10 mil note was $20 US at 500-1
A mil in spanish is 1000