Exchanging Money in Costa Rica- Travel Tip Banks, ATM'S 💷💶💵

#exchangingmoney #exchangerates #vacationincostarica Exchanging Money in Costa Rica- Travel Tip Banks, ATM'S' So, the vacation to Costa Rica is fast approaching. Got your hotels, booked your adventure tours. How's the money work? Do I need to exchange my money? What's better to use, dollars or the local currency, the colon. How are the ATM's in Costa Rica? Where is the best exchange rate, the airport or the banks? Should I just bring a bunch of cash with me to Costa Rica? Is the Costa Rica currency is to convert? If you've never been to Costa Rica before, the currency can be confusing. This is a must see for the first time traveler to Costa Rica. These questions and more in this video, 'Costa Rica Money Exchange Banks ATM's Travel Tips'.
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I hope you ENjoyed this video, 'Costa Rica Money Exchange Banks ATM's Travel Tips' and found it helpful.

[@scottleonard6651]

Good morning Michael. Excellent video this morning!!! 1. Treat ATMs like a nice bathroom. DONT pass it up for a mystery bathroom down the road. You don't have to go far to be "remote" in Costa Rica. 2. If you exchange cash with vendors, don't tip. They are tipping themselves with your crappy exchange rate. 3. Old people matter in Costa Rica. If you walk into a bank (or any place where you are waiting with others for services) old people go first. I once spent over an hour in a bank and left without seeing a banker because it was senior day!! I think its sweet now, but when I first learned this, I was getting angry watching people go ahead of me. I thought they were discriminating until someone explained it. I hope this helps.

[@lantai-neveux8365]

Thanks for the info. Can you tell me what day is senior day. My husband and I will be there in April.

[@debbiea1494]

Hey Michael, we were there just 6 months ago, and we're from Canada. We brought both American and Colons with us. Other than that, we used our card for most things. By the way, for Canadians, it's cheaper to pay in Colons on your card.

[@sqorpy]

also make sure you get CC without FX fees

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

PLEASE COMMENT your experiences, perspective and things I may have missed. It's ALL very HELPFUL. thanx. **When using a credit card, they will ask you 'in colones' or 'dollars'. Pick colones.

[@elenascarrone3980]

Always transparent , clear , direct to the point , thank you for being so you🙏🏻

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

I appreciate that! thanx Elena.

[@sqorpy]

tip for your change. the change are good for the fairs road, small frutetias on the road and for the beggers in the intersections, (keep them in the car, obviously not visible). ;-)

[@adminalenk]

Yes that is the quick equation we use double it and move the decimal point 😊

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

hahaha... yup.

[@jeffberg8015]

The dollar has been falling compared to the colon, and my rent specified $800 per month, so my rent payment in colones had been decreasing every month. The apartment manager apparently got frustrated with this so asked me to pay in dollars, despite the fact that at the time of payment the value between the two forms of payment is exactly the same. Fortunately for me BCR ATMs also dispense dollars so I haven't had to spend an hour or two waiting in a bank.

[@LidoLife]

make sure you can use your atm in CR….. our credit union didn’t support our atm card.

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

YESSS,,, thanx for the reminder. Definitely check your bank.

[@kristc99]

I had to carry a cheat sheet or I was hopelessly confused. If I lived there I'd get the hang of it in time.

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

yeah, you would. But yes, it can definitely be confusing in the beginning.

[@paulvta761]

One of your best videos ever Mike, I bought a TV from the electrical company about $800. On my debit card I pay an $18 international transaction fee, it's best to pay in colones.

[@harperinca]

Too funny! I was just googling this subject today. Going there in 2 weeks. This is good stuff

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

Have fun! ATM'ing your money is the best way to travel around CR in my opinion ;)

[@DcArmy9015]

Hello Michael, "Canadian money" is also called Dollars..lol just have to be specific ie: Canadian dollar, US dollar, Australian dollars. But I use the ATM with my bank card or Debit Visa. I also exchange at home my CAD to CRC and use that for the first few days.

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

thanx for the INFO.

[@RandyBrady2024]

Great video, t hank you

[@shelleysquires7225]

🌅 You're the best! 🌺💞🌺

[@bennysharoni8313]

Perfect video Michael and perfect timing

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

sweet. glad to hear the timing was perfect.

[@brucek4484]

Great video. I use my credit card for everything. I've yet to find any place that doesn't accept them. Definitely get a card with not foreign transaction fee's.

[@zzchop22]

I was coming back from Houston Tuesday and saw so many people lined up at the airport to exchange money! People! YOu''re losing 25% of your money before you even get out of the airport. Plus, there is an ATM right next to the exchange booth. I did save one couple who were visiting (Fortuna, of all places! 😃) 1. a lot of places take dollars (tours, taxis) 2. credit cards are taken virtually everywhere. I've been here 4 months and used maybe $50 worth of colones, and didn't need to do that!

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

good advice. The airport is a total ripoff with exchanging money.

[@denicagilmer7951]

Great video!

[@MrPgb1962]

Thanks Michael! Very helpful information as usual .

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

Glad it was helpful! and thanx for taking the time to say. ;)

[@sqorpy]

thanks for anoter informative and great video!

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bennysharoni8313]

I think the casinos give good rates

[@cayetanocanales7662]

Great vid. Thank you for another solid video. Saludos from tejas

[@dfwautomotiveservice]

You are correct Solid indeed

[@capecoder73]

Again another informative posting. When I was there in May of last year it was 690 to 1.00 boy how things have changed. Also I did a cash advance at an ATM in JACO and took out $150...to my surprise I was notified with a fraud alert that $8,000 was withdrawn immediately afterwards so be very careful at the ATMs......my CC company laughed it off and did not hold me responsible but be very very careful! We love the country and the people of CR!

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

Yeah, that 690 was crazy. Definitely going the other way now. YEs, every now and then I hear something about the ATM issue you raised. I guess, just be alert. Glad you hear you have the love for CR :)

[@brucethompson9567]

Went to your website Left contact info wanting to book a tour left my whatsapp number and email 2 messages ,have not herd a word. I am in Fotuna now.

[@shartzs]

Great information Michael (where the buck stops in Costa Rica)! I'll be traveling in March to attend the relocation retreat and look forward to meeting you and getting the good, bad and ugly in making the move to Costa Rica. Thanks as always for being there for those of us interested in Costa Rica :)

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

Hey Steve, c u in a few ;) Looking forward to it.

[@morrisyarnell6083]

Sometimes tour guides on my guided tours in various parts of the world would exchange a few dollars for local money. In Egypt, Peru and China I was able to do this, not to make a habit of it but in an emergency it can be a good thing. Had a difficult time in Columbia finding a bank, was difficult and even more chancy was finding an ATM. I got in the habit of getting about $100 before going so I could be ready for cabs and out of the way vendors. Difficult to bargain with a card, cash in the hand works so much better. I have watched many of your videos and do appreciate your tips, thanks.

[@dfwautomotiveservice]

Thank you very much for his video. Saludos.

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

you are very welcome ;)

[@michelinecousineau8497]

Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤

[@janetbeattie6902]

I find the smaller coins helpful for taking the bus and buying snacks at the pulpería next door. And I keep a stash of one mil and two mil bills to pay the driver when I take an Uber or taxi.

[@janetbeattie6902]

Random follow up . . . in Costa Rican Spanish it's just 'mil,' not 'un mil.' My tutor has corrected me. We've heard 'mil' referred to 'un rojo,' but my Spanish teacher told me not to say that, either.

[@tutornotepad]

I love learning, and that is why I just subscribed to Travel Costa Rica NOW

[@TheFppeters]

Hi Michael. Just wanted to let you know you tube unsubscribed us. We had to go in and resubscribe. They’re messing with you it seems. We look forward to all your videos. Hope to meet up with you again for pancakes next year

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

Yes, it's been happening for like 4-5 months now. But not just me..... Thanx for resubscribing. much appreciated.

[@restaurantequipmentguy]

Use your credit card 98% of the country excepts credit cards

[@dirkswildworld]

When I was in CR last Octobre/November I experienced that the guy selling fresh pipas on the street did not want to have these "old" colones notes without the "plastic window" on it! It was a real struggle to make him accept my colones...but in the end he did. Was not aware of this fact...

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

YEs, they have pretty much converted all the old 'colones' to the newer ones now. No businesses will accept the old ones anymore.

[@jpherrera4254]

Hello Michael this is Jonathan I want to say thank you for this video was helpful because my dad and I are going to Costa Rica real soon in the next couple weeks and I want to say thank you and now I will watch your videos from now on for traveling tips and exchange💯

[@Bonstergirl]

I was there 2 weeks ago and I got cash out of that ATM by the gas station. My bank would let me take only $20 out at a time. I had to take my card out and put it back in again in order to get another $20.

[@skyluke4972]

Was just in San Jose CR April 2023 being a Canuck they dont exchange CDN cash at banks. I bring USD cash and exchange into CRC at the colonial casino several times a week.

[@Branusko123]

thanks man

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

Any time ;)

[@tipsybass7060]

do you have to be a resident to get a bank account there?

[@dougtilaran3496]

No. BUT you need to own a house and , preferably, have a corporation (for house or vehicle). It makes it a lot easier. Other than that...if you bitch enough and have a rental contract with a Tico in good standing at the bank...it can happen

[@gabrielcannon491]

Can you exchange your money at a casino are the rates higher or lower

[@tutornotepad]

When I first went to mexico, I rented a hotel room that costs 1,100 pesos ( about $80 a night), but I gave the clerk 11 $1,000 peso billls. I overpaid about $500 for one nightl The clerk and all the hotel workers were very friendly. Now I realize why. A lesson learned is worthwhile even if it is costly. Thanks for letting me share!

[@0227Habibi]

Hi Michael - is it too late to exchange old bills for new? And if so, where can I exchange it? Coming later this year and I still have about 20,000 colones in old bills.

[@flyguy411]

The local banks will exchange the old bills. Just did this a couple weeks ago.

[@0227Habibi]

@@flyguy411 thanks for letting me know. Can I ask which bank you used and in what area?

[@lynda1831]

@@0227Habibi I tried to exchange an old 10,000 colones bill for a new one at the Bank Of Costa Rica (BCR), because I read online that it was the only bank that would do this now. They would not exchange it for me, because the time had expired (one year since they went to the new bills). I said I had been in the U.S. and was unable to do so. She finally relented, but said she would do it only this once. Don't rely on them being that merciful in this area!

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

I exchange about $200 worth of old '20 mil colones' and Banco National about 2 months ago. But I think it can be hit and miss. I thought the timeline had expired and didn't expect them to do it.. but they did.

[@dakotahstr]

Good Morning Michael. Are you selling these mugs?

[@hernanhenriksen3798]

Hi, thanks for the video. One question please: We cannot go to ATMs because in our country they take 65% (yes sixtyfive percent) as taxes when we take money out of the country by a card. So , where can dollars directly be exchanged? Even if having less colones tnah you can do going from US.

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

The banks here. no problem. just need your passport

[@hernanhenriksen3798]

@@TravelCostaRicaNOW Thank you!!! Hope travelling this next December. Watching your videos. Great!!

[@stevebarlow3057]

Best exchange rate is at the casino

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

thanx for the tip.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Michael, do you have any videos reflecting on your 18 years of successful life and experience in Costa Rica against all the negative claims about the country over the years which would help newbies avoid mistakes and achieve happiness?

[@croosstian1]

👍

[@billgalli5991]

The exchange rate has really dropped , a year ago it was about 700 to $1 now it’s close to 550 to $1 . Thanks Let’s go Brandon.

[@TravelCostaRicaNOW]

I think it's going to go lower...... vamos a ver