Do they accept a Visa charge card happily in ALL stores in Costa Rica for small purchases ?

Question

Also, how much are Pepsi's or Coke's in machines there. How much change should I carry around in 1 day for about 4 sodas a day? Also should the change be in colones or US coins?

Answer 1

I just got back from Costa Rica.  I wouldn't recommend expecting to charge everything.  Small stores may not accept it, especially for small purchases (remember, even in the U.S. credit cards weren't as widely accepted just a few years ago).  Tourism-related businesses will almost always accept Visa, but they will often charge you a surcharge of 3-10%.  Even if they don't, you can usually ask if there's a discount for paying cash (works like a charm).  

If you're in the capital, ATM's are a great way to obtain cash in colones.  Just know that some machines accept Visa/Plus ATM cards, and others accept MasterCard/Cirrus - they won't necessarily accept both, and carrying one card of each brand can be helpful.  Outside San Jose, all bets are off, so get enough cash before you go.

Most people (waiters, small stores, cabbies) will give you a straight 500 colones to $1 exchange rate.  This is actually a tad better than the actual rate, but it's just easier math!  However, youmay get a better deal if you pay in colones, especially at bigger places (hotels, tours) which have calculators =).

Answer 2

I dont think I have ever seen a coke/pepsi machine in Costa Rica... not even at the airport. There certainly are not many of them.

Coke is sold in the classic GLASS bottles, and costs around 500 Colon/ $1 US Dollar.

Dont plan on carrying change around to use a coke machine... you wont find them. If you pay a person in US Dollars, you will probably get change in colons.

VISA's are accepted in most of the world, but some places in Costa Rica DO NOT HAVE PHONE LINES! So, without phone lines, you cant use your card.... CASH is better in many places. But if you are in a very touresty place, then your credit card will work fine. Do not rely on only your credit card... have some cash with you.

Answer 3

Visas are accepted almost everywhere!! even if you're in a remote place!!

Pepsi or Coke is about a dollar overhere

you should carry about 2.000 colones for 4 sodas a day

In some places you can pay in dollars but my advice is to carry colones (just to be safe)...

Answer 4

Larger stores do accept visa but some small stores do not and many have minimums.  Tourist oriented businesses generally accept visa-- Mastercard can sometimes be tough.

the prices cited are good, Coke products are more common than Pepsi, but you should be able to find both.  They will taste a little different (a lot better in my opinion) because they may be made with sugar instead of corn sweetener.  

Coke and Pepsi machines are quite rare but small shops and stands that sell them (especially coke) are abundant but these are the kind of places that may not accept credit cards.  These are the kind of places which  may accept dollars but they will give you change in colones.   They usually give poor exchange rates however.  

Have some colones on hand,  I have had to wait 15-20 minutes for someone to find change for a $20.   You can get colones from ATM machines.

Answer 5

um... hello? we live in costa rica. the currency is colones. you should carry colones if you don't want to be rip off. but we do favors in accepting dollars.

Answer 6

VISA's are widelely accepted all over the world and this includes Costa Rica.  Note that some stores have minimums while others may charge you a small adminstration fee, but you should have no bother using your VISA chargecard here.  Make sure your VISA is unlocked for intl use before travel as some VISA'a are locked for the country they came from.  This happenned to me and was a royal pain in the bum to unlock.

If you loose your VISA while abroad you can cann this free phone number in Costa Rica to cancel your card:

0-800-011-0030

Pepsi/coke is about 450 colones (under a dollar), and you can use USD but carry $20 notes or smaller as larger notes can freak out the shop assistants.  Your change will probably be in Colones.  

495 colones to the dollar on average.