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I am quite sure that this has been discussed before,however,after using the search and going back over almost a year I could not find any answers. So we would appreciate any help that you can give us Where is the best place to exchange monies.if using an atm,do you get clones or dollars?
The first question is “which do you want?” If you want colones the ATM will kindly supply them. Some ATMs can give either dollars or colones, your choice, others are colones-only. For example you might pick “Retiro en ….” (dolares or colones)
If you have an account at that bank you can do the same, (but I assume you want to use a non-C.R. card). Check the back of your card to see which networks it supports (e.g. Cirrus, STAR, etc.) then use an ATM that also supports that.
Note: your non-CR bank may pass along the ATM fee, currency exchange fee, and possibly others. A few U.S. banks do not pass on those fees (e.g. Capital One).
Edited on Oct 20, 2009 06:49
If you have an account with Charles Schwab Bank (online banking) in the US,they have a free Platinum ATM card that you can use anywhere in the world. They pay all fees. You withdraw $$$ or Colones in CR at any ATM machine and do not have to worry about getting a good exchange rate as they use the current daily rate. The experience has been very positive for me and the card never gets rejected anywhere
Setting the matters of ATM fees and money conversion fees aside, you’ll always get the current exchange rate at a Costa Rican ATM. This is a much simpler way to get currency than to bring Traveler’s Cheques which take forever to clear, so neither the banks nor many other places want to accept them.
We always recommend that you first inform your U.S. bank of when you’ll be in Costa Rica. Then, assuming your ATM/debit card has the Plus or Cirrus logo on the back, you can use any of Costa Rica’s zillion or so ATMs. Withdraw colones, not dollars, to get the right exchange rate with every transaction in stores, restaurants and elsewhere. And in many places you’ll be rewarded for paying in cash versus using a credit or debit card. Always ask for the “descuento por effectivo”.
Every ATM I’ve encountered has had an English-language interface. So ask for colones and enter the amount you want to receive in colones, not in dollars. That is, ask for c50,000 to withdraw about $100; don’t ask for $100 and expect the ATM to issue colones.
I shoulda mentioned . . .
When you arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport, on your way out you’ll encounter a money exchange booth. Please keep walking! Their exchange rate is just awful. They’re preying on the unsuspecting. Instead, exit the terminal, cross the street into the parking garage, take the escalator upstairs to the right, turn right and enter the first door where you’ll find an ATM that’ll treat you right.
I’m sure a similar situation exists at the airport in Liberia.
Yes David, Liberia is the same… the currency exchange in the airport is a rip-off,,, There are ATM’s around (Scotiabank has several just down the road on the opposite side to the airport, heading away from Liberia) but if you can wait until you get where you are going, there will be plenty around. I also concur that you should get colones rather than dollars…
Dave, I may have overlooked it but really think I’d have noticed. Don’t know if you’ve checked BNCR but I’ve never seen an English language interface on the BNCR ATMs. Of course I haven’t looked for it and could be mistaken. I’ll look for it the next time in an ATM.
CDHmmm . . . I used a Banco Nacional ATM here in Grecia last week and the first screen to generate after I inserted my card asked if I wanted English or Spanish. Seems like any one bank’s ATM software would be consistent countrywide, but what do I know?
I wonder if the interface is unique to each ATM and you’re using an older model? The ones here in Grecia are rather newly installed.
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