Should I exchange money before my vacation to Costa Rica?

Question

I'm heading to Costa Rica this weekend... flying into Liberia then driving to Playa Flamingo in the Guanacaste area. So far in boking our car and hotel online it's been in USD. Do I need to exchange money before I go to Costa Rican colones or do places take USD?

Answer 1

No  you won't get a good exchange rate.  In Playa Flamingo USD will be accepted almost everywhere.  But you will probably get your change in colonies.  Use them in smaller places.  The exchange rate is is $1  = 519 colonies today.

Enjoy your trip.  ps  bring an umbrella

Answer 2

In Costa Rica they accept both, colones and dollars.

But it is better to have both just in case....

Playa Flamingo is a really beautiful place....

Have fun in Costa Rica!!

Answer 3

Well, I recommend you to have both... colones and dollars and enjoy Costa Rica, It's a wonderful country

Answer 4

You don't need to bring colones, you can bring USD.  Many places take them, specially in Guanacaste (a very tourist friendly area).  And if you need colones, you can go to any bank to exchange them.

Answer 5

Its always good to have local currency before getting off the plane.  Have a nice vacation

Take care..

Bcn_mimosa

Answer 6

HOPE YOU HAD A SAFE AND FUN TIME!

VAYA CON DIOS!!

Answer 7

You can spend dollars all the main towns in Guanacaste. You will get colones back as change. Many of the ATM's will dispense dollars and colones

Answer 8

NO! Don't change ahead of time. Banks will give you the rate of 516/$. Dollars are easily exchanged here.

Answer 9

Dollars are accepted everywhere and you cant exchange dollars for colones until youre in costa rica.

Answer 10

noo... don't do it. the exchange rate outside costa rica is lower than in the country. exchange it here at a local bank. you can pay in us $ on some stores or restaurants but is better  to have colones cuz when you pay for something they give you colones back and is a mess to figure out what they gave you back

Answer 11

Just take your ATM, Credit card, and US dollars. Excange a couple hundred dollars at a time locally. Atms can be found that will work dirrectly with US banks and dispense colones. Some of the more tourist areas, (hotels, dive shops etc) will take US dollars and do the exchange themselves.

In any of the towns you are never more than a couple of blocks from a bank that will exchange money. Exchangeing the money for colones in the US is a hassle that is not necessary. You will have to request the currency in advance and then come back to get it, as few US banks keep any amount of (any) foreign currency on hand. Even then I doubt the exchange rate would be anywhere as good as you can get in Costa Rica, where money exchange is a very common activity. Unless you hit the banks right at opening or lunch hour, the wait is almost zero and exchangeing money takes 10 minutes, even if you don't speak Spanish.

If you do bring US dollars, bring 20s as there are a lot of fake 100s out in circulation and some places may not accept 100s just like in the USA.

Plan on excanging money every few days or going to an ATM. Dont cary too much cash, or exchange an excessive ammount at once (>300-500USD). Find a hideing place in your rental car to store a reserve of cash (US dollars and maybe a reserve credit card). Even if you dont get robbed it is a reassurance and reduction of worries. You are unlikely to get robbed, and even more unlikely to get robbed of both your cary on cash and your hidden cash. It just is one less worry so you can enjoy your trip.

Answer 12

I go to Costa Rica at least once a year and stay for a couple of weeks. ALL places take American Money but will give you change in Colones. This is no problem, as you can combine these two currencies anywhere also. The people there will be more than happy to get your American dollars so don't worry. You are going to the BEST area in Costa Rica- Have a great time. Try Marie's-right down the street from Flaming Beach Resort-they have the best chicken anywhere and a resonable price, too. In Brassilito-down the road from Flamingo Beach-there is a place to take a 4-wheeler tour of the rain forest for 4 hours and a zip-line ride thru the forest. A great deal and fun.

Answer 13

You most likely will not be able to use American Dollars everywhere, its always good to have the native currency (colones in costa rica). I have found that a good time to exchange money is once you get to the country. There are always a lot of places to exchange. Your credit/debit car can be used at most places too as long as it has a visa/mastercard logo. But watch out for fees your bank may charge for using the card in a foreign country.

Answer 14

I just got back-everywhere you will find areas where they accept US dollars-just know the exchange rate is less. If Playa Flamingo is where the all-inclusive resorts are, you won't need much colones, if at all.

Outside of the resorts colones are helpful for buying items in the open-air markets (mercados). You can exchange all money at a bank or take colones out of the ATM with your Visa check card (just let the bank know you might be doing it first). It's usually your $2 bank fee plus an international fee (.17-.25 cents US). 10,000=$20 approx. Off a resort, you can do well for 10,000 colones.

Have a great time!

Answer 15

I've never visited Costa Rica, but I have traveled internationally many times. I believe (and of course this is my opinion) that it's always best to travel with credit cards and an ATM card. You can always take money out of the ATM at the airport in the country you're visiting, or from banks in many towns/cities. You get the going exchange rate for that date, you still maintain protection from theft as offered by your card, and you don't have to be concerned about carrying cash that may get stolen. Plus, a Visa or MasterCard are generally universally accepted in stores/restaurants/etc. Have a great trip!