banking in CR

[costaheel]

I have been communicating via internet wit Banco De Costa Rica and have been trying to get answers on how long it will take for a bank check to clear or if it is better to open an account with cash and then wire money.The responses I have gotten have been a little ambiguous ,particularly in the area of what I need to have in order to open up an account.Does anyone have any advice ?

[frettless]

I have found it easiest to wire the money. It's in the Costa Rican account the next day. The bank that I am using is Scotiabank. On top of the $45 wire transfer fee that my bank, Bank of America charged me, Scotia hit me up for the equivalent of another $15 on the receiving end .   Before I could wire anything they wanted a copy of my passport and proof of income. A copy of my most recent pay stub was enough although they did verify my employment with a phone call to my employer. If you are retired, my guess would be that they want some documentation that this is your money. The banks seem to be worried about money laundering.

[Russ]

Here is an article for a full explanation of banking and banking services:
[urlhttp://www.godutchrealty.com/costa-rica-banking.shtml]Opening a Bank Account in Costa Rica [/url]

The banking system.
Banking System in Costa Rica

I called Banco Nacional (another state bank like Banco de Costa Rica)  A check drawn on an international (US included) bank takes 30 - 45 working days to clear.  In BAC it takes 12 working days.  Some banks have shorter times, for example Cuscatlan takes 8 days, but only 3 days if it is a Miami bank. 

To open an account you need your ID, maybe a copy too, a letter of reference from banks in Costa Rica or your home country (as many as possible) and normally a utility bill in your name as proof of your address.

[costaheel]

My problem is I won't have an address as I am renting a place and will be in San Jose depositing money and opening an account before I set foot in my rental.
And I am presently unemployed as I sold my business to open one in C.R.