Costa Rica currency exchange?

Question

I'm traveling to Costa Rica and I need to change in some US dollars into whatever Costa Rica's currency is. Any ideas where I can find a place that does this? I live in Colorado.

Answer 1

A dollar is around 500 colones (give or take a few, it's easier to think 500). Many places accept American bills (use small ones), but not coins (it's rare). It's pretty easy to translate currency once you get the hang of it. If someone tells you that's $2.00, you think "oh, that's 2,000 colones" $6.00 is 12000 colones and so on... it's very simple really.

Answer 2

most places here accept american currency with decent rates. but change it in a bank here in costa rica. dont forget your passport, as they are quite leery about exchanging $100 bills.

Answer 3

As soon as you get off the plane in the AirPort there is a little office where you can exchange your dollars for Colones but i wouldnt recomend to exchange all of your dollars there because they dont give you exactly what your dollar is worth. Its better to exchange it at a bank once your in CR. Here's a site of a big bank in CR http://bancobcr.com/ right now $1 is worth 517 Colones but dont worry because in CR you can pay at most places with US Dollars and anyway most hotels charge in US Dollars. But I highly recomend to have Colones to pay Taxi rides or food at restaurants.

Answer 4

I wouldnt bother getting any until you arrived in Costa Rica. The international airport you are departing will have a currency exchange but gives horrible rates. If you are ariving in San Jose. There are money changers and an ATM machine there. If you do not have a Atm card you can get prepaid visas at Walgrens and Safeway

Answer 5

$2 = 1000 colones (can buy a beer)

$3 = 1500 colones (can buy a "casado" (typical lunch in tico restaurants)

$4 = 2000 colones ( can buy a Big mac combo)

exchange only in airport, hotel and banks!!! do not carry too much cash, San Jose is a dangerous city, never walk at night alone.

Answer 6

I did this back in l995 - the first time I visited Costa Rica.

NEVER AGAIN! - it was a hassle to get my colonies exchanged back into American Dollars!

Since then, I have been going back every year for the last twelve years and now I just take American dollars because everyone accepts them!

Its not a problem any more with the number of Americans visiting Costa Rica!

Good Luck!

Answer 7

if you come to costa rica, don't change it all. just part of it, and if you do it, do it at a bank. the currency is around 520 colones per $1 (us). if you do it at a place like the airport they would take like 10% of the fee.

Answer 8

Traveling it is usually better not to travel with a lot of cash.  There are ATM machines all over the country. ANd they give you Colonies at the daily exchange rate.  At the airport I would trade some $ for taxis and such.  The current rate is  $1 =.  517 Colonies.  For easier conversion think of it as 500 Colonies.  So CR bills are in demonitations of  

1000 CRC = $2.00           This bill os called a ROJO

2000  CRC = $4.00           This bill is called a Tiberon

5000 CRC = $10.00        This Bill Is called a TOUCAN

10,000 CRC = $20.00

You'll see why these names when you get here

Enjoy your trip