This simple point hasn’t been discussed much recently here in the simplest of terms.
Simply speaking, if you want to take along and spend US cash in CR, as when first arriving, what kind of cold hard US cash should you bring along?
From what I gathered lurking here (I will be in CR 1st time 08/25) there is only one type of US cash to carry: brand new $20 bills. Fiftys and hundreds are suspicious. Also lower US denominations are a hassle for Ticos to get rid of.
Twenty’s / Jacksons appear to be where it’s at for US currency in CR. Right vetranos?
Actually, as long as the bills are in perfect condition without tears, stains or marks, most businesses will readily accept all denominations of U.S. currency.
Some smaller places may not have sufficient change on hand to break a fifty or hundred dollar bill. Also, there has been a problem recently with counterfeit $100.00 bills, and banks will certainly examine any Benjamin closely before accepting them.
If you pay in dollars, often your change will be returned to you in colones. This is an extremely common practice in my experience.
I have read that taxis from the airport to the gulch are twelve bucks, no tip necessary.
This is correct as of today, 8/22/05. Despite a recent, huge taxi fare hike, the airport to downtown fare remains U.S. $12.00. Buy a taxi ticket at the desk immediately to your left as you clear Customs.
Okay, CR vetranos, TWO QUESTIONS:
(1) How much do I tip the hotel’s driver (in USD) for picking me up from the airport, knowing he is hired by the hotel and they are making money off me for the room and the bar, and also knowing the legit cabs charge twelve US bucks for the trip?
Why would you take a hotel ride, when you can take the $12.00 taxi? S.L. currently charges $17.00 for their driver to pick you up at the airport...
Tipping is neither customary nor expected for the ride into/out of town. Orange is crazy (no offense!) suggesting a $6.00 tip. The exception would be if the driver takes you on an intermediate errand on your way to the hotel, handles heavy/unwieldy baggage or provides some other extraordinary service. Then, $1.00 per bag and/or 10% of the fare is sufficient. Most passengers do not tip the taxistas.
(2) How much of a hassle is it to extract colones from the ATM at the airport upon arrival and how much time does it take to do so considering I won‘t know where I‘m going, my Spanish is totally rusty and my driver will be waiting for me.
It's no real hassle at all, but remember that ATM's are all over San Jose, including those mentioned above. I don't recall whether or not the taxi ticket desk in the airport makes change in dollars or colones, but I'm sure they'd happily make change for your Jackson in colones, if you ask.
Should I give him a twenty and make his week?
Abso-fuckin-loot-ly-NOT. What is with all these compulsive over-tippers?
Ringo
U.S. dollars will get you to your hotel, most hotel bars readily accept U.S. dollars. You'll want to have a few fresh $1.00, $5.00 and $10.00 bills in addition to your Jacksons and larger bills; the bellboy should get $1.00 - $2.00 per bag carried, tip the maid $2.00 right away for the extra towels you'll surely need, and keep a fiver for buying a couple beers.cocktails at the hotel bar while you unwind from your long trip. You'll have plenty of time and opportunities to get some U.S. money changed into colones, or to withdraw colones from an ATM.
In most cases, you will want to pay in colones. For instance, paying colones at an MP saved me around a dollar per visit on my last trip. And of course, the chicas at the BM happily accept U.S.currency.
"I am not a veteran hobbyist, nor do I play one on CRT. My opinions and the information given above are from my own experiences and research, and as always, YMMV."
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