Currency Suggestion

[Miriam]

I have just returned from a great vacation in beautiful Costa Rica and here are a couple of suggestions that might be of some help to some.  If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica, carry a large amount of single dollar bills as well as five dollar bills (as many as possible).  ATM machines at the airport at least do not dispense local currency - only US dollars.  Taxi drivers' so called Marias (meters) do not work and will gladly accept payment in dollar bills.  Taxis that you take either from a hotel doorman or in the hotel parking lot charge very, very different rates than local taxis (a $2.00 becomes an $8.00 ride, believe me!).  Prices in better restaurants are priced in US dollars (don't know about fastfood) so in all there is no need to exchange US dollars for local currency (you will do much better that way).  Golf courses are great and about 40% less than equal type of courses any place else - charges again in US dollars (everything including fees, caddies, driving range and food!).  Everything is made easier, faster and far more convenient if you carry lots of single dollar bills as well as fives and tens.  Lots of places do NOT want $50.00's or $100.00s, why?  I don't know.  A beautiful country, very pleasant people and awesome golf course where you can tee at 6:30 a.m. or NOON and the temperature will be perfect.  The courses maintenance is first rate.  Only bargains are golf courses.  By the way, if you plan to take sightseeing tours you will have to also pay in US dollars and if you charge it to the hotel bill a 4% is added.  Enjoy..

[Russ]

hi Miriam, thanks for the great information.  I just wanted to answer a couple of things you weren't sure about:

Prices in better restaurants are priced in US dollars (don't know about fastfood)

Fastfood restaurants are in colones.  In San José also most restaurants outside of the hotels have the menu in colones. You will find it easier to pay in colones, but as long as you know the exchange rate you will find that the restaurants are very fair about accepting dollars.

Lots of places do NOT want $50.00's or $100.00s, why? I don't know.

This is for fear of accepting a counterfeit bill.  Also the banks used to be much more strict about US bills that were slightly torn or marked in any way.  Now they are more lenient, but many businesses are probably still leery of large bills for this reason.  The bill may be legitimate, but if the bank for some reason doesn't want to accept it they can afford a $20 loss more than a $50 or $100.

Only bargains are golf courses.

In my opinion, dining out in Costa Rica is a great bargain.  Not only can you find fantastic places with entrees from $5 to $ 7 to $10, when it comes to drinks and desserts you don't get blasted like you do in the US.  If you look around downtown, Santa Ana, Rohrmoser and San Pedro, you can find some really great places to eat where the meal for 2 people will come to less than $25.  

[Miriam]

Thanks Russ for the explanations.  I spent 10 days without exchanging a single dollar into local currency and that is why I wanted to pass the suggestions to anyone planning to visit beautiful Costa Rica.  Yes, there are menus with prices in local currency, however, they are very quickly translated at a BETTER rate (440.00 colones per dollar).  My hotel bill was also converted to US dollars giving me the rate of 440.00 thus avoiding the additional "conversion" charges some credit cards charge.  My suggestion is that if someone is planning to visit Costa Rica to take a large amount of single and five dollar bills.  Great golf and golf fees at 30-40% less for comparable courses.  Ciao, Miriam

[Miriam]

Hi:  further to my original posting regarding currency, it was a pleasure to return from Costa Rica and a) not be charged additional "conversion" charges and having received a much better exchange rate by having the establishments (including hotels, restaurants, golf courses, etc.) do the conversion in advance and avoiding weeks later the surprises of absurd and usually high conversion charges.  Can't wait to return to plan golf in Costa Rica, what a lovely country!

[Miriam]

My second visit to Costa Rica within 6 months was even BETTER than the first one!  This time I had enough U.S. currency (singles, fives and tens) to not worry about currency conversion.  Everything is cheaper and faster with U.S. currency.  My British friends couldn't believe the golf courses facilities or cost.  Again, please do not take $100.00 bills as you will have visit a bank to exchange them.  Friendly people, fantastic temperature and very reasonable.  Enjoy

[Snake Eyes]

Great Forum,
I just made my first trip to this  beautiful country and as I type, I'm planning my return visit! I would like to say that I found it easier to go to the local Banco and get colones for my US cash, and use the local currency over american cash, as every place I purchased something in  US cash, I was given colones back in change, which was really confuseing to figuire out, if I was being ripped off, because when the establishment makes your change, they also do the exchange rate and some charge a few too at the same time, not knowing hardly a word of spanish asking the establishments to explain this, was out of the question. To  me it was much easier to get colones , from the Banco and not have to do the math each time. I highly recomend carrying a pocket calculator and a pocket cheat sheet that compares colones to US cash, with the current  devaluation factored in, it was 460 colones to the dollor for me. I found that some places would even cut you a deal on local taxes if you paid in colones and not use your credit card.

[Miriam]

My message was directed to people that visit Costa Rica to enjoy its fantastic GOLF temperatures.  I played 4 different courses and ALL were in perfect conditions - and all fees are in U.S. dollars.  Caddies are very accommodating and can read greens to perfection and just like caddies in Asia and Europe they appreciate to be tipped in U.S. currency or Euros.  Parque Valle del Sol is simple awesome and the locals residing in the property are friendly and lots of adorable kids taking lessons and hitting balls.  Enjoy - the locals are nice and friendly people!