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The official currency of Costa Rica is the colón, or colones in its plural form. It is possible to get Costa Rican cash at the airport, as currency exchange services are available at Costa Rica's international airports, including San Jose and Guanacaste. However, it is recommended to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as the exchange rates may not be favourable. Instead, it is suggested to use an ATM, visit a bank, or exchange money at a supermarket, gas station, or restaurant once in Costa Rica. Credit cards are also widely accepted in Costa Rica, with Visa being the most common, but it is advised to notify your bank before travelling to understand any potential fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Currency in Costa Rica | Costa Rican colon (colones) |
| Currency code | CRC |
| Currency symbol | ₡ |
| Denominations | 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 |
| Exchange at the airport | Possible but not recommended due to poor exchange rates |
| Exchange at the bank | Recommended for best exchange rates |
| Exchange at ATMs | Possible but may be unreliable |
| Exchange at hotels | Possible but may not have the best rates |
| Exchange at supermarkets | Possible |
| Exchange at gas stations or restaurants | Possible |
| Currency to carry | Small denomination USD bills (fives, tens, and twenties) |
| Card payments | Widely accepted but may have foreign transaction fees |
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What You'll Learn
- Currency exchange desks at Costa Rican airports often have poor exchange rates and hidden fees
- It is possible to exchange money at your own bank before travelling to Costa Rica
- US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but it is useful to have some colones
- Costa Rica has strict standards for accepting US currency, and any flawed bills may be rejected
- Credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but it is important to notify your bank before travelling
Currency exchange desks at Costa Rican airports often have poor exchange rates and hidden fees
ATMs are a convenient, safe, and quick option for getting cash in Costa Rica. You can use debit and bank cards to withdraw money, which usually have lower fees than credit cards. It is important to check with your bank before you travel to understand any fees or charges that may apply. Credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but there may be foreign transaction fees, so it is recommended to contact your credit card provider before your trip.
If you prefer to exchange currency, it is best to do so at a bank, where you will get the most favourable rates. Various banks in Costa Rica, such as Banco Nacional, BCR, and Scotiabank, offer currency exchange services. Remember to bring your passport, as it is required for currency exchange. Some larger hotels, such as Marriotts or Hiltons, also offer currency exchange services, but their rates may not be as competitive as those offered by banks.
It is worth noting that US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, especially for higher-priced items like hotels, tours, and upscale restaurants. However, for smaller purchases and local businesses, it is better to use colones. When using cash, it is recommended to bring smaller denomination bills, such as $5, $10, and $20 notes, as larger bills may be regarded with suspicion or be difficult to break. Additionally, ensure that your bills are in pristine condition, as Costa Rica has strict standards for accepting foreign currency.
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It is possible to exchange money at your own bank before travelling to Costa Rica
To get Costa Rican cash at your own bank, you will need to plan ahead. Your bank will need to order the colones, so it is a good idea to contact them a few weeks in advance. You can also use this opportunity to check with your bank about any possible fees for using your card internationally, and to let them know about your travel plans. This is important, as if you don't inform your bank, they may flag and freeze your account if you use your card in Costa Rica, thinking it has been compromised.
If you are exchanging money for your trip to Costa Rica, it is a good idea to compare offers from multiple providers. You can check the rates from banks, exchange kiosks, and online platforms like Western Union. Western Union often provides competitive exchange rates and transparent fees.
Once you are in Costa Rica, you can use ATMs to withdraw cash in either USD or CRC. However, ATMs do have limits, and in some areas, they may not always have money. It is also important to note that larger bills are regarded with great suspicion in Costa Rica, and new counterfeit-resistant currency is only slowly gaining acceptance. Therefore, it is recommended to bring $5, $10, and $20 bills, and to ensure that they are in perfect condition.
Credit cards are widely accepted by most businesses in Costa Rica, but it is still useful to have some colones on hand.
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US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but it is useful to have some colones
US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but it is still useful to have some colones. This is because, when spending cash, you will get a better exchange rate by paying in dollars for things priced in dollars (such as hotels, tours, upscale restaurants and drinks at beachfront bars) and paying in colones for things priced in colones (such as hostels, small local restaurants, taxis, groceries and local bars).
You can exchange money at Costa Rica's international airports, including Guanacaste and San Jose, after passing through immigration. However, airport exchange rates may not be the most competitive, so it is recommended to wait until you reach a bank. You can also exchange money at some hotels, but they may not offer the best rate. For the best exchange rates, go to a bank. Various banks, such as Banco Nacional, BCR and Scotiabank, offer currency exchange services. Remember to bring your original passport to complete the transaction.
ATMs are another option for getting cash in Costa Rica. They dispense both USD and colones. It is recommended to bring $5, $10 and $20 bills, as larger bills may be hard to exchange. It is also important that the bills are in perfect condition, with no rips, tears, misprints, stains or excessive wrinkles. This is because Costa Rica is very strict when it comes to the condition of foreign currency and will not accept flawed bills.
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Costa Rica has strict standards for accepting US currency, and any flawed bills may be rejected
US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, due to its tourism industry and strong commercial ties with the United States. Tour prices, hotel rates, and restaurant menus in tourist areas are often quoted in USD. However, it is recommended to also carry Costa Rican colones for smaller purchases, such as at farmers' markets, street vendors, taxis, buses, supermarkets, souvenir shops, gas stations, and toll booths.
You can exchange currency at various banks, such as Banco Nacional, BCR, and Scotiabank, or at the airport kiosks after passing through immigration. However, the exchange rate at the airport is notoriously poor. It is also possible to withdraw cash from ATMs, which dispense both USD and CRC. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it is recommended to contact your credit card provider in advance to check for any foreign transaction fees.
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Credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, but it is important to notify your bank before travelling
Although credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, it is important to be aware of the various fees and charges that may be incurred when using them. Contact your bank or credit card provider to understand the potential fees and notify them of your travel plans to prevent transactions from being flagged as fraudulent.
Contacting Your Bank
Before travelling to Costa Rica, it is important to notify your bank or credit card provider. Informing them of your travel plans will prevent your transactions from being flagged as fraudulent. Additionally, it is an opportunity to understand the fees associated with using your card internationally. Credit cards designed for international spending may not incur foreign currency exchange fees, but standard cards often have multiple fees and charges, including currency conversion fees and exchange rate margins. These fees can add up, making credit card usage in Costa Rica rather expensive.
Withdrawing Cash
While credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, it is advisable to carry cash as a backup. ATMs, known as "Cajero Automatico" in Costa Rica, are easily accessible and offer both USD and CRC withdrawals. However, it is important to be cautious when using ATMs, especially at night, and to be aware of various fees, including exchange commissions and convenience fees. It is recommended to use a travel debit card or a prepaid travel debit card to avoid the high fees associated with credit cards.
Exchanging Currency
Exchanging currency at Costa Rican airports is not recommended due to their notoriously poor exchange rates. Instead, exchanging money at local banks or supermarkets will provide better rates. It is also worth noting that US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, especially in tourist areas, but having some Colones is essential for smaller purchases. When spending cash, use USD for purchases priced in USD and Colones for those priced in the local currency.
Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica, especially in tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted types, while Discover and American Express may have limited acceptance. Credit cards are useful at restaurants, hotels, tour offices, grocery stores, convenience stores, and shops. However, some businesses may prefer cash to avoid card transaction processing fees, and rural areas with limited internet connectivity may not accept cards.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, currency exchange services are available at Costa Rica's international airports, including San Jose and Guanacaste. However, airport exchange rates may not be the most competitive, so consider waiting until you reach a bank.
The Costa Rican currency is the colón (plural colones). The symbol is ₡. Banknotes come in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 colones.
You can get Costa Rican cash by withdrawing from an ATM, exchanging currency at a bank, or exchanging currency at the airport. It is recommended to bring small-denomination US bills, such as fives, tens, and twenties, as larger bills can be difficult to use.
