www.CostaRicaTicas.com

ATMs in SJ have never been my thing. I normally bring the cash I need. I recently secured a Schwab debit card, and am interested in recommended ATMs. As an aside, on a previous trip I went with a friend to the second floor of the INS building, and neither of the two ATM's would give him more than two hundred dollars worth of Colonies. I am planning to pull 4 or 500 dollars worth of colonies, and would prefer avoiding multiple transactions. I would appreciate thoughts on best venues. Thanks

Usually, Schwab will reimburse your international ATM fees.
Personally I like Scotiabank. they have a $400 or so daily limit. One is located on the side street to the left of teatro nacional, when you are on avenidad central.

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Having too much fun. 8)

In front of the INS building there are 3 ATMs. Two of the are for other banks, I think National and another one, they should allow to withdraw more but I am not sure of their limits.
Also Scotia Bank with Atms all over the gulch.

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Softbob

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

I used those ATMs on my last visit and was able to pull out at least $200 USD worth of colones per visit (about 120k colones at the time). I don't know what their upper limit is though. The upper limit may be dependent on your own bank and account settings, however.

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LIVIN' IT UP WHILE GOIN' DOWN!
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from the trip earlier this month

Banco Popular (INS) no issues taking 200mil ~ 340$
Scotia Bank - no issues taking 250 mil ~ 430$
DAVIVIENDA (San pedro mall) ~ no issues taking out 400 mil ~ 690$

all fees reimbursed were at end of month

Banco National ATM by Hospital Calderon for some reason did not work with the Schwab card, called to check and they said it was a "sync" error with that bank, and to try out another bank

be sure to put in the travel alert before your trip too

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its easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled- mark twain

I use these when I need to resupply myself with colones. No problem pulling out 200k worth of colones, approx. $350usd

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

I seek out ATMs that don't pull the card inside. Card can't be eaten that way. CR ATM's always suck the card back in fast also. Grab your card quick, don't count money first.
All the davienda bank ATM's don't suck your card in.
In Colombia none of the ATM's suck your card in. CR way behind the times on this and many other things.

Very good point. I've never had it happen that an ATM ate one of my cards, but it would be maddening to have it happen, especially when relying on the card for money while traveling.

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LIVIN' IT UP WHILE GOIN' DOWN!
-----> You Only Live Once - Make the Most of It! <------
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I think Scotia Bank ATMs do not suck your card in.
Always a good idea to use ATMs in the day time during banking hours anyway if possible.

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Softbob

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

I use Banco Nacional as my go to ATM. Getting $500.00 is never a problem unless the ATM is low on money usually around 1st and 15th of the month when people get paid. 2nd choice is Scotia bank. BCR will limit you to $200.00 US but you can do multiple transactions. Go to XE.com and see what the current days exchange is and use that as a basis for how much you want to withdraw. At 585 on XE I know I can put in 295,000 and get the full amount.

At BCR you can only withdraw $200 in any 24 hour period.

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Softbob

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

That is news to me but I have not used a BCR in probably 3 years. I have known for a while BCR Sucks though.

I also prefer the ATMs outside INS, but if I am in the area of DR I use the one in the convenience store a block East (half a block east of Colonial Casino). It is inside the store and there is usually a security guard on duty which makes it feel safe. It has never limited me to less than I needed.

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Mako

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water

BAC San Jose has always given me $600 or equivalent colones. The $600 limit is the daily limit of my U.S. bank's ATM card. I'm not really sure what the actual BAC limit is. BAC is a private bank, not govt. They do charge a $5 atm fee but to me it's worth it. BCR and Banco Nacional seem to change their withdrawal rules like on an hourly basis. There are like 8 or 10 atm's in BAC's "digital" branch on Calle 3 just north of Avenida Central. On Google Maps it is labeled BAC Sucursal Digital. It is on the west side of the street about 30 yds north of Avenida Central.

This may or may not be obvious, but let your bank know you'll be traveling to CR so your card doesn't get flagged for fraud and shut off. This goes for credit and debit cards.

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"Buy the ticket, take the ride." --Hunter S. Thompson