www.CostaRicaTicas.com

In the middle of September (2005) the ATM in the Del Rey lobby (right near the coffee bar) was giving out Colones at 485.1 to the Dollar, with no fee. I double checked my printed receipts against my bank statements when I got home and everything is correct.

That was a quite competitive rate at that time, and coupled with the convenience and security, I know of no reason to go elsewhere or to bother "changing money" at all.

Airport taxis are still $12 U.S., so you don't need Colones when you hit the ground.

I guess you veteran mongers all know this already; I'm just confirming for the less experienced.

Tanager

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Why own when you can rent?

I will have to try that one. I normally go a few blocks to the east on gringo gulch to one of the main bank atm centers in broad daylight and get enough cash for a couple days. That fee along with my bank fee came out to be a total of $7.50. I have had worse.

It's nice to know there's a convenience there. None the less, I'll probably stick with the casinos as my wallet tends to get raped a litte less with their exchange.

On a side note, A bank was finally built in Puerto Viejo this past year and it was really nice to finally have an atm out there.

Tanager, did your bank charge you extra for using a stand alone ATM not connected to another bank?

I can't speak for other banks TicaFan but my bank (Bank of America) hit me with a fee (somewhere around $5 I think). I ended up paying the atm fee, the local bank fee and my banks fee. Hence in the future I'm only using atms as a last resort.

I also got a very good rate at the DL. Only$1.50 charge. It is my ATM of choice now.

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Why Chicas Come to CostaRica:

"Predators gather where prey abounds"

I haven't been to CR in awhile
The ATM in the DR used to be next to the check-in desk, near the pay phones. Has that moved, or are there now two ATM's in the DR?

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

GT:
The last time I was there (last Friday night), there were still only 2 - one exactly where you described and one to the Right of the check in desk.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

I'm confused...The last time I was there, the area in front of the check-in desk had the tour-desks (to the right as you walked in from the KL side),
the restaurant (Cafe Del-Rey) was still there, with the small coffee bar between the restaurant and the DR lobby. I understand they turned the restaurant into another bar, but where is the coffee bar located now?

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Not to be too analytical but I took $150 twice from an ATM near Presidente on August 29th which was $309-$310 based on exchange rate that day.

http://www.xe.com/ict/

My bank charged $313.60 to my account so I paid about $3.50 over the exchange rate plus I had a $4 service fee a week after I returned which leads me to believe they tacked on a $2 per withdraw fee. It seems I paid about $5-$6 per withdraw. I'd rather make smaller withdraws so I don't have to manage that much cash. Is there any other way to avoid ATM fees of that size or is that just "the price you pay"?

There seems to be some inconsistency with what one bank does versus another if everyone has their facts straight. A couple posts make it sound like the Del Ray ATM only charges $1.50 but that doesn't mean other banks don't, especially their own, don't take some cut later, does it?

Tanager, it sounds like you're saying you got a favorable exchange rate from Del Ray ATM with no charges whatsoever, even from your bank when it all settled?

I know it's lame to pinch pennies too much but an extra $10 here and there is a session.

GT;
Coffee Bar is still in the same location. Restraunt has been relocated across the street (Del Mar). Resturant tables are still in place in what used to be the rest, but the wall opposite the windows are lined with slots.
Hope that helps.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

I was charged the standard $2.00 fee (per withdrawal regardless of amount) from my own bank (credit union actually) in Florida, but I get hit with this fee anywhere whenever I don't use a "Campus Credit Union" ATM. I did not, however, get an "extra fee" from the delivering ATM (which is too often the case elsewhere).

In the Del Rey, I was using my regular ATM card to withdraw money from my checking and savings accounts (not a VISA or AmEx). Just looking at my card, it says "Honor" and "Cirrus" and "Credit Union 24" and "The Exchange" on it... which I guess are financial networks in which my credit union participates.

I'm not entirely sure, having not actually tried it, but I wouldn't be surprised if virtually any card of any kind worked there. As many of you know, the machine is one of the little kiosk type deals... not taller than me... not mounted in a wall... like one would see in an airport or mall... in other words, modern.

Not surprisingly, the Del Rey has made sure that gringo money can flow easily into their lobby.

Tanager

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Why own when you can rent?

Tanager, I am probably going to try it. I have a Visa Check card in the same network as yours so hopefully I will get a good exchange rate and only the $2 charge from my bank. That will save me a few dollars. Thanks.

Shopping for an exchange rate at the ATM's is a waste of time as there is not going to be any difference since that determination is made by the bank/credit union that issued the card.

What will make a difference is what fee, if any, that the owner of the ATM charges. The ATM's at the Del Ray as well as the Red Total ATM's do not impose any fees. There may be other in San Jose also but those are the two I am familiar with.

What I really like about the Del Ray machines are they read your card and return it immediately so there is no chance it will swallow it if you punch in wrong pin or something. The other thing is that the one issues a voucher you take to the cashier so you can get small bills rather than all 10000 colones notes.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I concur. I've used that ATM in the past. Just be sure you make sure the cashier gives you the correct amount in return. One time I was purchasing the exit stamp at the airport and the young Tica tried to cheat me out of $10. It may have been an honest mistake, but I doubt it.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)