Last Updated: April 5, 2024
If you’re a first-time visitor to Costa Rica, you probably have some questions related to money. Maybe you’re wondering about the best way to exchange currency or want to be sure you can use your credit card during your travels. Or perhaps you want to know if it is customary to tip in Costa Rica. In this post, we’ll answer these questions and more to get you ready for your trip.
Currency and Exchange Rate
Costa Rica’s currency is the colon (₡), named after Christopher Columbus. It comes in both paper and coin form.
The paper money goes from bills of ₡1,000 (called a “mil” (Spanish for 1,000) or “un rojo” because of the bill’s red color) to ₡20,000. Coins go from an almost valueless ₡5 to ₡500 (“quinientos” (Spanish for 500)) and are quite heavy for the higher denominations.
Be sure to get a good look at the paper money while you’re here because it is gorgeous. Each depicts a different colorful scene from Costa Rica.
For example, the ₡1,000 bill has the tropical dry forest, iconic Guanacaste tree, and a white-tailed deer. And the ₡10,000 bill has the rainforest, a sloth, orchids, and birds.
The exchange rate fluctuates daily but usually works out to between ₡500-600 per US dollar. To give you an example, if something costs ₡1,250, it is around $2.50. A rough way to estimate is to double the amount in colones and move the decimal point. You will need to then reduce the number a bit according to the exchange rate.
Here are the bills and their estimated USD equivalent using this method:
₡1,000 is about $2
₡2,000 is about $4
₡5,000 is about $10
₡10,000 is about $20
₡20,000 is about $40
*Note that the higher the bill, the more off it will be if you use the doubling calculation. For example, if the current exchange rate is ₡575 for each dollar, a ₡20,000 bill will equal only about $35 instead of $40.
For more information, be sure to check out our post, Costa Rica’s Exchange Rate: Quick Tips and Tricks.
Exchanging Money
In addition to colones, US dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, though it is best to have some local currency as well.
There are a few different ways to deal with changing money in Costa Rica.
What we used to do when we traveled as tourists was bring some US dollars and use them to get local currency back as change. Then when we ran out of money, we would get colones out of the ATM with our debit card. This saves the hassle of having to exchange money and also the associated fees. Only bring denominations of $20 USD or less as bigger bills are not widely accepted.
If you do this, be sure to use the US dollars at larger grocery stores, restaurants, etc. where they’re doing the transaction through a computer so that you get the correct exchange rate. Cab drivers, buses, and other smaller places are not likely to do the math based on the actual exchange rate and usually will base the transaction on an unfavorable (to you) rate. For this reason, use local currency for these types of smaller transactions.
Another option is to exchange money when you arrive in Costa Rica. This is best done at a local bank because they will give you the most favorable rate. Be sure to bring your passport and some patience, as the lines at banks can be long.
Although it is also possible to change money at the airport, they have the worst exchange rates so are best avoided.
Using ATMs
As we mentioned above, you also can get local currency out of the ATM as long as you’ve authorized your card for use internationally. Keep in mind that usually only debit cards and not ATM cards work. ATM machines can be found throughout Costa Rica and in most tourist destinations. A noteworthy exception is Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula.
Be sure to keep in mind foreign transaction fees. Most banks in Costa Rica charge a fee for use of their ATM machine.
In addition to that, you may get charged from your home bank for using an out-of-network machine and also foreign currency conversion fees for taking out local currency. Last time we checked, this fee was 3% of the total amount withdrawn for our bank back in the United States, though the percentage can vary. Check with your bank before you leave about the different fees.
For more information, including key Spanish phrases in case the ATM doesn’t have an English option, check out our separate post.
Using Credit Cards
One very convenient aspect of traveling in Costa Rica is that credit cards are widely accepted.
We prefer to use our card whenever possible because we know we’re getting the correct conversion and it’s nice not to have to carry a lot of cash around. Many restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and tour operators accept credit so be sure to ask. The Spanish phrase is ¿Acepta tarjetas? Mastercard and Visa are the most widely accepted.
Tip: Be sure to authorize your credit card for use internationally so that your bank doesn’t flag your account for fraud when you use it.
Also ask your bank about its fees for foreign transactions so that you don’t have any surprises when you get back home. These charges typically range from 1-3% of the total transaction amount. Credit unions tend to have the lowest fees.
If you travel out of the country frequently, consider getting a travel credit card, which doesn’t have fees for international purchases. We’ve had good luck with our Capital One and Bank of America Travel Rewards Cards.
Traveler’s Checks
Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted in Costa Rica so we don’t recommend them.
Tipping
Tipping is less customary in Costa Rica than in some other countries like the United States. Many people don’t tip at all, but because wages are low in Costa Rica and don’t match the higher cost of living, we often tip. Here are some different scenarios for how to handle tipping.
Restaurants
At restaurants, 10% gratuity is always included in the bill. Sometimes it is a separate line item called servicio (service) that you can see right on the bill. Other times, the 10% is included in menu prices (sometimes the menu will say this but not always).
Although it can be hard to tell if service is not listed separately, know that it is included somewhere and you are indeed being charged.
As for leaving more than the 10%, the locals usually don’t and servers don’t expect it, but we like to leave extra for good service or if the bill is low. At sodas (traditional Costa Rican restaurants), the bill is often less than $10 a person so we leave an extra ₡2,000 or so.
Tip: Some people complain of slow service (and tip accordingly) because it took so long to get the check. Keep in mind that servers will usually not bring the bill unless you ask for it because they think it is rude to kick you out. Just ask and they will be happy to bring it.
Taxis
Cab fares are regulated in the San Jose area, but elsewhere in the country, you will probably have to negotiate the fare with the driver.
When there is a meter, we usually leave a little extra beyond the meter price. When there isn’t a meter, we try to judge if the price we were given was in line with the going rate. If it seems fair, we’ll leave a dollar or two extra, and if it seems inflated (which sometimes happens in tourist towns), we’ll just pay what we agreed to.
Bell Boys/Bag Handlers and Housekeeping
$1-2 per bag for a hotel bell boy or shuttle van driver who helps with your luggage is customary. For housekeeping, we like to leave $1-2 per day.
Tour Guides
For someone who is taking you on a guided nature tour like to a national park/reserve, it is nice to leave a tip since they’re sharing their knowledge and expertise with you. Ten to 15% is a standard range.
Shuttle Van Drivers
It’s nice to tip your van driver for a tour or transfer as well. $10-20 is much appreciated.
Additional Advice
- If you don’t have a good grasp of Spanish, many merchants will sense that you are confused and show you the total price in colones on the register’s screen or calculator. Almost all small grocery stores have a calculator handy.
- We keep an emergency backup of cash on us just in case we end up somewhere that doesn’t accept credit or our card won’t swipe, or worse, we lose our wallet. Matt’s money belt (see here) has saved us on multiple occasions.
- If you’re traveling during holidays, know that ATMs in popular tourist towns may run out of cash and not be restocked right away. Lines at banks around holidays also can be very long so plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Those are our tips for how to handle money issues on your next trip to Costa Rica. If you have a question about something that we didn’t address, feel free to ask us in the comments below.
Last Updated: April 5, 2024
Looking for more information to plan your trip? Check out these posts and pages:
Packing List for Costa Rica: Our comprehensive list of what to bring, based on our years of traveling to and living in Costa Rica.
Driving in Costa Rica: Tips for navigating Costa Rica’s crazy roads. Conditions, rainy season travel, local customs, what to do if you get in an accident, and more.
Rental Car Discount: Find out how to save 10% on a rental car in Costa Rica with our exclusive discount.
Best Hotels Near SJO Airport: Our list of the best hotels to begin or end your time in Costa Rica. Includes a discount to save at one of San Jose’s most popular options.
I also like to point out to guests traveling the following points:
-ATM machines close at 8PM and do not open until 5 or 6 AM the following day.
-If you dine out and there is a parking lot attendant, it is kind to leave him a few hundred colones/loose change when you leave the establishment. These guys work only for tips.
-There are some great smartphone apps that convert the currencies as the rate changes daily and sometimes in CR, the merchant will round up or down so this can come in handy in confusing moments.
-Small bills – $100/$50 dollar bills are not as widely accepted, best to change those at the bank.
Hi Zene, some good info. Leaving a tip for parking lot attendants, whether on a city street or at a restaurant, waterfall, etc. is definitely worth mentioning. These guys provide a good service and people often times don’t quite understand their role. Agreed on smaller bills. Like we said, $20s or less is the way to go for US dollars- nothing bigger than that. Interesting about ATMs- I think the closing time probably varies by town because there are definitely some in our area open past 8pm. Thanks for reading!
We are booked to visit Papagayo region in May and plan to take a boat trip for fishing/snorkeling and or sunset cruise from a local person on the beach not through the hotel tour company. As we are from Canada the exchange rate on the USD is very low right now do you think the locals selling tours on the beach will be willing to accept payment in Colons or would this result in a worse exchange rate
Also any idea what a fair price would be for this type of trip maybe 3 hours on the boat is enough we are nor looking for luxury just a fun time on the water
Hi Karen, the local tour operators on the beach will likely take either colones or dollars. If they give you the price in dollars you can do a quick calculation on your phone calculator with the exchange rate and then offer to pay them that amount in colones. If you leave the calculation up to them they might just go by an exchange rate that they think is fair (which might be fine or maybe not). As for a fair price, we aren’t sure in the Papagayo Bay but near Tamarindo we have seen small fishing boats charge about $60/hr for their small boats with equipment and bait. Good luck and let us know if you catch anything!!
Hello.
Have you any tips on mobile ‘phone usage? Would you recommend buying a local SIM card?
Thanks
Hi Patricia, We do recommend getting a local SIM card for your phone unless you have an inexpensive international plan. Setting it up is easy to do as long as your phone is unlocked. You can read more about what that means and how to do it in our Travel Forum. Here’s the link.
Is American Express Credit Cards widely used in Costa Rica?
Hi Bea, We see signs for it, but it is very unlikely that all restaurants and hotels accept it. The safest thing to do would be to bring a Visa or MasterCard too as a backup.
Planning to visit Costa Rica(our first family trip) at end of July 2016. Going to Guanacaste.
That’s great, Nelly. Hope your family has a wonderful visit.
Is a Visa debit ok…and should I let my bank know I will be using it if it’s ok.?
Hi Elizabeth, Yes, debit cards are fine. Definitely call your financial institution to let them know you’re traveling so that they don’t flag your account for fraud when you go to use it. You might also want to ask them about foreign transaction fees if you don’t know what they are already.
Hi Jenn and Matt,
Do you guys live in Costa Rica? We are planning on traveling to Guanacaste next month (September, 2016). We are looking for a retirement home. Do you know much about Kalia living? We’ve done our research in this area, but haven’t found much on line in regards to: 1) Reputation, 2) Value, 3) Other residents and if they enjoy their purchase 4) Any issues with the builder, 5) HOAs, etc… you know, sort of stuff us American folk worry about here in the U.S.
Also, where can we find out an accurate, current, cost of living for a retired couple in Costa? In other words, how much money would one need a month to live comfortably in Costa Rica?
Additionally, what do you think of the “multi-currency cash passport”? It has worked very well for us in Europe…nice and easy and no additional charges.
Thank you! Looking forward to your reply. 🙂
Hi Giogi, Yes, we live in Costa Rica on the southern Pacific coast. We know a bit about Nosara, but aren’t familiar with the Kalia development. There are some local Facebook groups for expats living in that area though that might have some info. You could try checking those out – just search for Nosara under Groups.
Cost of living really varies person to person and depends on your lifestyle (North American style home vs. more simple Costa Rican; will you have a car? will you use air conditioning?),These are just a few of the many different factors. We won’t go into them here but do have more detailed info in our FAQs About Living in Costa Rica post. You could also check out the Retire for Less in Costa Rica website. They do detailed posts about their cost of living near Lake Arenal.
We’ve never used the cash passport but it looks like a good idea. One thing you would want to check is if Costa Rican colones are an available currency. It’s better to pay in colones to get the best exchange rate. Using US dollars is okay at some places because they use the actual exchange rate but many smaller businesses do not. Good luck with your research trip!
Hi and thanks for the great information you share. We are traveling to Tamarindo Beach end of January with our 2 kids(16-19 years old), and we would like to have “a day of adventure”. I saw this:
Rate per person $95, “Caribbean Jungle Adventure”:
Rappel down a waterfall, climb a tree, cross a hanging bridge, swim in natural pools and Tarzan Swing 50 ft off the ground. Duration 6.5 hrs.
Would you recommend it?
Thanks.
Hi Virginia, That sounds like a great tour for something adventurous with older kids, but I think it’s located on the Caribbean coast so too far from Tamarindo. There are similar adventure combo tours much closer to where you’ll be staying that are a better option. We’re going to be coming out with a post soon on activities to do out of Guanacaste that will have a lot of info and help with making bookings too. Click here to subscribe to our blog and get that post by email when it comes out. There’s no rush for you to book any tours since you’re not coming until January so take your time.
hey since you guys live in Costa Rica, I was wondering if you know who is on the dollars? I’ve searched everywhere and haven’t found anything!
Hi Hailey, According to CR’s leading newspaper, La Nacion, “outstanding women and men in the country’s culture, science, education and politics” are pictured on the bills. Here’s the article we’re referencing. It’s in Spanish but you can translate it – very cool article that is interactive too. We found it on the Central Bank’s website. If you ever get to the Gold Museum in downtown San Jose, they have a small exhibit on the history of the bills too. Hope that helps!
In re inexpensive international phone plan – get a Google Nexus Android phone and use Project Fi. Using it right now in Ojochal w good service on the mountains and costs no more expensive than typical plan back in the states. Not missing the days of charging a sim card everytime i backpacked thru a different country!
Thanks Jen!
Where do we find a SIM card in US or Costa Rico? We’re going to Costa Rico in December. I am having anxiety regarding the money exchange. My bank suggested I look up an app that will help. I didn’t know which app to download.
We are arriving at Liberia airport. I read there are different locations. I don’t know the name of the island or town. We do know the airport is 45 mins. from our hotel. We’re staying at the Four Seasons. How bad can it be??
Hi Joyce, You can get a SIM card at the airport when you get here. Here’s a link to a thread on our forum with more about that. You do need an unlocked cell phone. You could also see if your current cell phone carrier has an affordable plan for international use so that you don’t have to deal with the unlocked phone issue. A lot of the US carriers are getting more affordable. What Jen Chon suggested above would work too.
Not sure about the app for money exchange. The easiest thing to do to make sure you’re getting a good exchange rate is do it at a bank when you get here or take money out of an ATM (but there are fees for this).
Thank you so much for being there for tourists who have concerns when going to a different country. So here I am needing your services because we’re going to Costa Rico on December 8. We’re staying at the Four Seasons. We don’t know anything about the area.
Is the hotel a resort and nothing else around or near, or is there action such as clubs, restaurants and shopping? Should we rent a car or hire a guide, if needed?
We heard that there are two islands and the weather is different. What is the name of our island and is the weather good. I’m sorry for all the questions and thought to call the concierge. My husband and I like to go where the locals go for fun, and thought we would write to you, the locals.
Thanks again,
Joyce Shepard
Hi Joyce, Are you staying at the Four Seasons in Costa Rica or maybe a different FS? A lot of people think Costa Rica is an island but it’s actually not. Costa Rica does have two different coastlines (Pacific and Caribbean) with different weather so maybe that’s what you’re thinking of.
If you are coming to FS Papagayo in Costa Rica, there isn’t much there except the resort, but if you rent a car, you can easily explore. Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco are nearby and there’s even more farther south. The weather should be nice in December since that’s the dry season.
Yes. We’re staying at the Four Seasons. Thank u so much for the information. Is there any gambling there. I know not at the Four Seasons, but anywhere?
There is some gambling in Costa Rica, but not much for big casinos. Jaco, San Jose, and a few other towns have something.
Awesome info here. My wife and I will be in Dominical/Uvita for the first time in November. This thread was very helpful! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Heath. Hope you have a great visit in November. Dominical/Uvita is our favorite area of the country, enjoy!
We’re visiting from Canada in December (Hotel Capitan de Suizo just outside Tamarindo). I’ve been reading all the posts about using U.S. dollars at grocery stores to get change in colones for spending money. I don’t suppose we can do this with Canadian dollars as well? Should we visit a Bank of Costa Rica and use the ATM instead for spending money?
Hi Dianne, Unfortunately Canadian dollars are not accepted in Costa Rica. Getting money out of the ATM with your debit card would work fine but remember that your bank will likely charge a fee to convert the currency. Your other option is seeing what exchange rate you can get through a bank in Canada and either bringing US dollars or colones. You could also wait to change it here but I’m not sure how good of a rate you’d get.
Hi, I am another Canadian traveler; our trip is booked for Feb and we couldn’t be more excited! In your opinion then is it better to bring US dollars, or Costa Rican Colones? Or some of both? Keep in mind we will have to exchange for either, and we prefer to use cash over cards due to inflated exchange rates on our cards. We are booked on a 10 day tour, with no meals included… Any idea on what to budget per day for meals?
Thanks in advance for your insight 🙂
Hi Cheryl, Colones are easier since most restaurants charge in that currency so all things being equal, that would be better than dollars. If the exchange is better for you in dollars, you could get those and either change them to colones at a bank here or break bills at a grocery store (you have to watch out for the exchange rate you get with dollars but somewhere like a grocery store will give you a fair rate). As for what to budget, it really varies by person and depends on exactly where you will be visiting. You can get a general idea in our Cost of Travel post.
Hello,
We’re taking our 10 yrs old daughter for a 6-day vacation from Nov 17-22 to San Jose, Volcano Arenal and Manuel Antonio. We already rented a car and reserved our rooms. We’re planning to bring $ and exchange it at a bank in San Jose. Should we get some colones from here ($100) prior to leaving the US? Or no need to do so. Please advise. Thank you.
Hi Tem, US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica so you can use those for any purchases you make before you get to a bank to change the money. Make sure to have small bills (anything over a $20 is not usually accepted). Try to get to the bank soon after you arrive if you can though or be sure to watch what exchange rate you’re getting.
Thank you for your advice. We’re all set. We have mosquito repellent, rain Jackets, slippers and a lonely planet. Counting down to this Wednesday–48 hrs away.
Hi Tem, We are doing the same itinerary in mid/late November. Do you have any “Must See” experiences to share?
Hi. I love this information, thank you. My husband and I will be visiting Guanacaste in December for 7 days. Is it wise to rent a car to get around? We’re staying at an RCI resort, should we rely on the resort resources, taxis, transport?
Thank you
Hi Niecy, It depends on exactly which resort you’re staying at, but a car is really nice to have in that area of the country because many of the activities and beaches are a decent drive away. Taxis add up quickly so usually aren’t the best option. If you plan on doing tours, a lot of times they include transportation, but if you prefer exploring on your own schedule, we’d suggest a car. If you do decide to rent one, be sure to check out our discount we get through one of the major companies here. Here’s a link with more info. Hope you and your husband have a wonderful trip!
Hello,
First, I just want to thank you for all your helpful information on your blog! I’ve been doing research over the past six months since we first decided to book a trip to CR (coming up in December) and I have to tell you that all of your posts have been incredibly helpful and informative!
I was wondering if you could offer a bit of advice for us on what we can expect in terms of CR over Christmas time? We fly in Dec 24 in the evening, and from what I gather we likely won’t have access to an ATM, or any sort of restaurant or market until Dec 26th? Should I hoard airplane pretzels to get us through the 36 hours? lol. We will be in Jaco for Dec 25th, will anything be open?
Thanks again!
Hi Megan, Glad our site has been helpful. You shouldn’t need to hoard those dry airline pretzels! Banks, government offices, and some museums in San Jose will be closed, but most everything else should be open. The week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest time so most businesses stay open to take advantage. Some restaurants and grocery stores will be closed but you should be able to find something open in Jaco – there are a ton of businesses there. We have never tried to use the ATM on December 25 but I would assume they will be open even if the bank is closed. I’ve never heard anyone say differently. Hope you have a great trip!
We are planning to visit Costa Rica in March and were wanting to spend a night or two in a treehouse. Where would the best area for this be?
Hi lharris, Monteverde has a boutique hotel with some really cool treehouses (Hidden Canopy Treehouses). That is a good option. There’s also a well loved treehouse community in the Southern Pacific called Finca Bellavista, but it is quite far away. Hope that gives you some ideas!
hi.. good posts!! my daughter and i will be arriving in liberia airport christmas day wanting to get to Taramundo. what would our best bet be for transport?
Hi Fay, A shuttle arranged in advance is probably your best option. A cab would be more expensive. You could look into a shared shuttle for around $20-30 person or if you would prefer a private shuttle, we know of a company that will do it for around $90. Let us know if you’re interested in booking the private option and we can send you an email.
Hi, do you have any info/recommendations for stand up paddle lessons near Uvita please? Also, could you recommend a chocolate/coffee tour in LA Fortuna, Monte Verde or Uvita areas?
Thanks, Lorraine
Hi Lorraine, We know of some good tour operators in the Uvita area that do stand-up paddleboard, we just need to know a little more about your skill level and if you prefer ocean or river/mangroves. We can also help with a chocolate/coffee tour in either La Fortuna or Monteverde (there are none near Uvita). Just reply to this message if you still want help and we can email you some more detailed information and help with the bookings. Thanks!
Thank you for your reply. I hope you had a good Christmas. My skill level is zero so the safest way please! I am not sure whether it is safer in the sea (close to shore) or river (deeper!). We have one free day in Fortuna, one free day in St Elena, Monteverde and then 2 days in Uvita. We won’t have our own transport. Any advice or recommendations much appreciated. For the coffee and chocolate tour we prefer somewhere not too busy with just small groups.
Thanks, Lorraine
While in Costa Rica is there any limits on exchanging colons for dollars at the banks? Which banks are best for such an exchange? Thanks.
Hi John, As far as we know, there aren’t any limits to exchanging money if you go into the bank to do it. ATMs, of course, have daily limits (some banks allow $100 but most allow $500). Any of the major/government banks would be fine for exchanging money. Bank of Costa Rica (BCR) and Banco Nacional (BN) can be found in most areas.
Hi. My boyfriend is travelling from Australia. As far as I know he already talked to his bank to be able to use his debit card here in CR. Im still wondering if it would be better for him to exchange his aus dollars to usd there in his country or do it here in CR. Any advice you can give me would be more than appreciated. Could you give me the best option?
Hi Maureen, Using a debit or credit card will usually get you the best exchange rate so he should use that when possible. I would think it would be better to do the exchage to USD for any cash he wants in Australia, but we have no experience with that so aren’t totally sure.
Hey Matt and Jenn,
We will be arriving in Liberia on a Saturday. Are banks open on Saturday that we could exchange our US dollars or should we try to exchange some at the airport before we head out for our week long adventure?
Hi Lisa, Yes, most banks are open for at least part of the day on Saturday. If you drive into the city of Liberia, you should find plenty of options. Avoid the airport because they have an unfavorable exchange rate.
Have heard how beautiful Costa Rica is. I am an 89 year old Canadian and wondering about a two week all inclusive trip.
Hi Dorothy, Costa Rica isn’t a big destination for all-inclusives. There are several in northern Guanacaste, but a lot of them don’t have a great reputation. One good one is the Westin Playa Conchal. It’s on a beautiful beach. We’ve had clients stay there and they really enjoyed it. Another option for something much smaller is Punta Islita Resort. This is in a very remote, peaceful area south of Samara. Hope that gives you some ideas!
Hi, My girlfriend and I will be staying at Playa Flamingo 3/22-3/29 and renting a car for 3 days in the middle of our stay. Loved the idea of visiting the volcanoes but seems like they’re at least 4 hours away. Could you suggest sites to see on day trips while we’re there?
Your site is jam packed with wonderful info!
Thanks, Steve
Hi Stephen, We have been meaning to come out with a guide on day trips from the beach towns in Northern Guanacaste. In the meantime, you can use our Playa Brasilito post for ideas (scroll down to the Activities section). Brasilito is right next to Flamingo so the same things can be done from there. I’ll add Llanos de Cortes Waterfall to the list, which is gorgeous.
And yes, Arenal Volcano is quite far. Two closer options are Rincon de la Vieja (covered in Brasilito article) and Miravalles Volcano (offers hot springs but they’re more rustic than those in Arenal). It’s also possible to do Tenorio Volcano/Rio Celeste on a day trip from Flamingo. It is a long day though. Hope that gives you some ideas!
Hi! I will be in Costa Rica next month with my two teenage boys. We hired private shuttle for the long drives from San Jose – La Fortuna (renting a car in La Fortuna), La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, and from Manuel Antonio to San Jose. I’m wondering how much to tip the driver on each trip?
Also, does the bus route that goes to the beach in Manuel Antonio also go to Quepos Marina? Would like to go there for dinner. Staying in a VRBO not too far from the beach in Manuel Antonio.
Your site has been SOOO helpful! Can’t wait to go there with my boys!!
Hi Karen, Anything will be appreciated, as tipping is much less common here (the locals never do it). I would say $10 per leg would be nice and if the driver goes above and beyond, maybe $20.
The bus will get you close to the marina but not right there. If you get off at the bus station in downtown Quepos, it’s about a 10 min walk or a very inexpensive cab ride. Taxis are always lined up right outside the bus station. Hope you and your sons have an amazing trip!
Hi I’m a 37 yr old woman traveling alone from the US. I’ll be flying into Liberia and staying with a yoga retreat at the el sabenero eco lodge. I will be coming in July any advice would be great
Hi Jaime, We aren’t familiar with that hotel, but it looks close to Tamarindo. That would be a fun beach town to check out on a day trip if you have time. You can read our article about it here. Other than that, pack a little bit of rain gear and clothing that dries quickly because it will be rainy season (shouldn’t be too intense in July, though). Here’s a link to our Packing post. Enjoy the retreat!
Hi there, we will be celebrating my sister’s 40th birthday at Hotel Alamar in Punta Arenas. We would like to rent a car and drive there from San Jose airport. Would you happen to know how the road situation is? Also, I am interested in water excursions. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Royalle, The roads from SJO to Puntarenas are in very good condition so fine in a rental car. We have a detailed post about the condition of various roads here if you would like more info. Also be sure to check out our rental car discount if you decide to get a car.
As for water excursions, a popular one in that area is a catamaran cruise to Isla Tortuga for snorkeling. A lot of tours can be arranged out of nearby Jaco as well, like surfing, SUP, kayaking, jet skiing, etc. Since you will be very close to the ferry, it will also be easy for you to check out the Southern Nicoya Peninsula. Hope you and your sister have a great time!
Thank you so much!
Hello there. I found your site and was wondering if you could point us in the right direction. I am traveling with two other teachers and 30 students from the U.S. It’s my second time in Costa Rica. We are debating how and when to exchange dollars to Colones. One of our teachers doesn’t think we should exchange at all. I say we should.
Any suggestions?
Hi Irma, It is a good idea to have some colones handy. Above in this post, we give the option of bringing US dollars and getting colones back as change, but since you will be with a big group, it will probably be easier to exchange some. Read what we say above for more info re: avoiding exchanging at the airport and instead going to a CR bank. If you will have a debit card, another easy way is to take colones out of the ATM, though you will be charged fees.
Hello we are traveling to Jaco Beach next week. I hear there is decent nightlife. Any suggestions on things to do. I believe our hotel is 25 miles outside of Jaco. Do you recommend taking a taxi?
Also our second leg is in Manuel Antonio. Any suggestions on adventure tours?
Hi Dee, You could take a taxi but it might be a little expensive if you’re that far out. Maybe look into renting a car for just a few days. It is usually fairly inexpensive this time of year. The company that we work with, Adobe, has an office in Herradura so you could pick one up there. We get a 10% discount through them. Here’s the link to the page on our site with more info.
Manuel Antonio has a ton of different adventure activities. Let me know if you want any help arranging these- we don’t charge extra for this. You can do whitewater rafting, zip lining, ATV, canyoning/waterfall rappelling, a mangrove kayak or boat tour to see wildlife, a catamaran cruise, etc.
Hello,
I have two questions…will I need to pay extra for GPS on a rental car if I plan on using Waze on my smartphone? And my 2nd question…do you happen to know if there is an ATM machine at the San Jose airport?
Thank you very much!
Hi Lila, Waze works fairly well around the country so if you have that, you shouldn’t need GPS too. Waze isn’t perfect for some things like getting to national parks and will sometimes send you the shortest way by distance that can actually be much longer due to mountains, bad roads, etc. Because of this, we always recommend planning your route in advance and then cross-referencing with Waze or GPS to make sure you’re in the right place. You can use our Road Conditions post to help plan your route.
Thank you for replying and for your patience with questions that you probably get asked over-and-over again. I appreciate your blog as a resource!
I keep hearing that lines to exchange money at Costa Rica banks are long. But how long is long?
I ask because I’m trying to figure out whether to take a 11:00 a.m. or noon shuttle from downtown San Jose to Monteverde on December 26. If I get to a bank right when it opens, are the lines at banks so long that I should forget about an 11:00 a.m. shuttle ride?
Hi Jay, The lines vary by bank and time of month (if it’s payday, etc.). But I don’t think we’ve ever had to wait more than an hour to do a basic transaction like exchanging money. There are a ton of banks in San José, so if one looks really busy, just try a different one. But an 11 am shuttle should be fine.
Thanks for your response! This helps a lot.
Hi Guys. Congratulations on 4 years. I bet is still seems like yesterday.
We are coming to CR Nov 2-11. One of the tasks is to look at an existing business for sale and homes in the Guanacaste area. Do you folks ever meet with others looking to re-locate to CR, for questions. We still have a TON of due diligence to complete first.
Just wondering about the hastels of owning a business in CR.
Hi Adam, We personally don’t meet with people interested in starting a business here. Once in a while, it has worked out that we have been able to meet one of our readers, but only if they going to be near us and it’s more of a friendly visit rather than to give them specific help with their plans (our business focuses on travel planning and not expat life). But, there are people who do that. I think the folks who run the website Retire for Less in Costa Rica do something like this and maybe Christoper Howard could help. We would recommend talking to a good lawyer (good being the operative word 🙂 also before buying a business here. Most people recommend renting for a while before buying too to make sure you want to stay in the country long-term before committing. Hope that helps. If you haven’t seen it yet, also check out our Planning Your Research Trip post for potential expats.
Hello. Excellent site you’ve got here.
My husband and I are spending all of February there.
Flying into Liberia, and heading south down the coast.
Any suggestions for us?? As far as wonderful things to see and do?
We have nothing booked other than a car.
Just winging it.
Hi Linda, You have a lot of choices. You could get some ideas with our Destinations Summary Guide blog post, or our book Top 10 Costa Rica Itineraries has different itineraries to choose from that you could string together. Another way to sift through information is to use our Map and search geographically. A month is a great amount of time to spend. You will be able to see a lot of the country. Enjoy!
Hello
I am going to Costa Rica in few weeks and I am about to exchange money. My question is,
are the ¢50,000 bills widely accepted there or will we have troubles using them? I am going to get smaller ones are well but I don’t want to carry too many notes on me.
Thanks for your help and thanks for this website!
If you’re buying something expensive and aren’t getting a lot of change back, those are probably fine. 20,000 bills would be safer, though.
Hello,
Thank you so much for your informative post! I am trying to get as much information as possible before my trip in June. I’m staying in Escazu on my trip, and the purpose is for dental tourism. My question is how safe is that area? Can you walk outside during the day without being robbed? My flight arrives at midnight on a Sunday, so how should I do the exchange to take a taxi from the airport? Do banks in the US do them? Also what tourist areas are close to where I’m staying that I could see while I’m there.
Thanks so much for answering everyone’s questions!
Hi Shefflan, Escazu is a very nice, upscale city. You’ll find many international shops, malls, and restaurants. It’s fine to walk around here. For getting local currency, you could get a little from your bank in the US or just pay the taxi in US dollars, then deal with exchanging money the next day. US dollars are widely accepted.
For things to do, if you have a car, you could check out the town of Atenas, a locals’ town with a few attractions. Other ideas are a coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Catarata del Toro, and the catamaran cruise to Tortuga Island. Jaco is a reasonable drive away for a day trip to a beach town as well.
Hi my daughter is going to study abroad in july for 5 weeks in San Jose. Im concerned about her phone and data . Is there wifi in all areas or is it remote? Will we be able to contact her easily?
Hi Debi, Wifi is good throughout the San Jose area and in most other areas of the country too so you should be all set. Make sure her phone is enabled for use in Costa Rica or have her bring an unlocked phone so she an get a local SIM card when she gets here.
Hi. I’m traveling to Costa Rica with my boyfriend from May 5 to May 14. How much Costa Rican cash would you say would be wise to bring? How much cash in dollars? A daily ballpark amount would be very useful. Thanks in advance!
Hi Karla, It’s really hard to say, since the amount varies by person depending on what kinds of things you want to do, what kinds of restaurants you’ll eat at, and also if you plan to use a credit card at all. Use the estimates for prices we give above to get an idea of what you should budget.
Hi Jen & Matt,
just got back from our trip to CR, had a fantastic trip, would just like to say my husband and I both took rides in a gyrocopter operated out of Tamarindo, a fabulous way to see the coast line, Guido(ex airline pilot)has just opened up this ,he trains gyro pilots in the country so a very safe guy. thought you might like to add this in your things to do bit, we only found out about this the week before we left Uk as it seems ziplines etc there’s more info
Thanks for the tip, Heather! Sounds like a cool tour.
Hi, We are two over 80, senior citizens that will be flying into San Jose on August 4th. Your blog is very informative and has helped us refine our packing and currency plans. How is the weather expected to be in August? I know the date is for in advance but my question is concerning the amount and quantity of rain we might experience. We will have packable rain wear and plenty of repellant and sunscreen with us. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. We are in greta health by the way.
Hi Don, We have a lot of detailed information, including charts on rainfall amounts, in our Weather post so check that out. You can look up what region you will be going to to figure out what to expect. In general, early August is still nice in most areas but there will be some rain, mostly during the afternoon and at night but there could be some days where it rains most of the day. It sounds like you will be prepared for that with rain gear, which is great. Good that you’re bringing repellent too because mosquitoes are worse in the rainy season. We just came out with a post about clothing to wear to prevent mosquito bites so you could take a look at that. Here’s the link. Hope you both have a wonderful trip!
Hello, We are flying into LIR and staying in Samara in a B & B and will have our own rental car. What sightseeing spots can you recommend? We’d like to drive to them on our own schedule, so no tours for us. What spots will give us a good CR experience within driving distance from Samara? Up to 2-3 hours drive one way is ok for us.
Hi Leslie, Our Samara post has some good ideas for things to do in the area. Since you’re willing to drive, you could also check out the tiny town of Guatil to see pottery made in the traditional Chorotega style. There’s also a coffee tour near Hojancha. The Ara Project, a Scarlet Macaw breeding center, in Punta Islita to the south. That’s a fun day trip because you have to take back roads to get there – it’s remotely located.
Thank you!
Thank you for all those info. Very useful. I plan to go to Costa Rica, however I would have liked to have some change before leaving Europe just in case.
There is clearly fees with ATM and the offices at the airport always apply unfavourable rate.
Just discovered a new mobile app for my next trip Fairswap. It allows to exchange cash currency in real-time by meeting with each other at a pre-agreed location.
Widely, you can post your need in foreign currency and if there is someone nearby facing the reverse need, then he can contact you and you will meet him and make the swap.
Hi Jenn and Mat, when withdrawing money from ATM, can i choose which currency i want to withdraw (USD or Collones)? IS there some fee from CR bank if using their ATM? Thank you.
Yes, you can withdraw local colones or USD. Most banks do charge $1-2 for using the machine. Banco de Costa Rica does not but they have daily limits on what you can withdraw with a foreign debit card. We think it’s $100/day x 2 transactions.
Hello! Really appreciate all the information. Perhaps I may have missed this information if it’s already stated. I’m travelling to CR from Canada.
I’m going to attempt to use cash for most transactions. Although, for grocery stores, restaurant, and larger purchases I’ll be using my USD Visa Card. Do the credit card machines charge in only Colons or is USD an option? I’m just trying to avoid the 2-3% conversion fees charged on top of foreign currency exchange by credit card companies. If USD is not an option, I’m thinking I may just use my CAD visa for the points.
Hi Sasha, Yes, most businesses will ask you if you want to be charged in colones or USD for this exact reason. If they don’t ask you, just request the transaction be done in dolares.
Hi – We’re planning on going to Guanacaste and was wondering what an estimated cost would be from LIR airport to Riu Guanacaste. Also, are there any places or activities that are a must? Visiting Costa Rica for the first time. Thanks for your input!
Hi Caitlin, The cost for a private shuttle from LIR to the Riu is $76 for up to 5 people. If you’d like to book this, we’d be happy to help you with the arrangements. Just contact us through our Private Shuttle Booking page.
There are lots of great activities that you can do in that area. There are catamaran tours and zip line tours locally. And farther away on day trips are Rincon de la Vieja National Park, the Miravalles Volcano area, etc. Feel free to contact us through our Tour Booking page for more information.
Hello
I’ve exchanged currency to US Dollars and it came mainly as $50 bills. From reading your article am I assuming correctly that hotels and restaurants would accept $50 bill, but taxis and perhaps smaller establishments would not?
Thank you for shedding light on this.
Hi Bianca, I think you will have a hard time with $50s. Some hotels and restaurants will take them, but others most likely won’t. If you can get $20s instead, it would be a lot better. You could also exchange them at the bank when you arrive in Costa Rica if need be.
Thanks very much for getting back to me.
Hi. Staying in Tamarindo in April. What is a reasonable price for a round trip shuttle bus ticket from LIR? Do I need to make a reservation or can I catch it at the airport?
Hi Mike, It’s better to reserve in advance since the shuttle companies work on reservations only. Otherwise, you will need to take a taxi, which will be more expensive. A private shuttle from LIR to Tamarindo through a company that we work with is $120 for 1-5 people. If you did this, the driver would be waiting outside the airport for you right after your flight arrives. Shared shuttles are another option. These are $47 pp each way through the company we work with but they only leave the airport a couple of times a day so your flight arrival time would have to work with it. If you’d like help booking a private or shared shuttle, feel free to contact us through our Shuttle page.
Hi.
We’re staying in the southern part of CR in December and were thinking of reserving a private shuttle from the San Jose airport to the Puntarenas ferry and then back to the airport again a week later. Is this possible, or should we simply rent a vehicle?
So happy to have discovered your website!
Hi Marquita, Yes, that’s definitely possible. A private shuttle will take you to the ferry dock, cross over with you, and then bring you the rest of the way to your destination, whether it’s Montezuma or Santa Teresa. We work with a great shuttle company that offers this trip. If you’re interested, please contact us through our Private Shuttle Booking page.
I will need to be at the Santamaria Airport at 6:30 a.m. from town in San Jose. What is the easiest way to obtain transportation and how far is the airport from downtown. Thanks much. Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth, The easiest would be to just take a taxi. You could also arrange a private shuttle if you would like it to be organized ahead of time. These are around $55 for up to four people.
Please could you tell me if ATMs in CR dispense US dollars as well as colones.
Hi Julia, Yes, ATMs dispense both currencies. Sometimes they are out of US dollars but you can usually find them without too much trouble.
I am on the hunt for a $50 000 colones bill. Do have any tips on where to find one. I was in CR last year and have one of each one of all of denominations EXCEPT for that one. (Yes I want a complete set)
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Muchos Gracias
Hi Kevin, We have been given them at the bank (Banco de Costa Rica) so that would probably be the best place to look. Shouldn’t be too hard to find one. Those 50 mil purple bills are pretty! Make sure to bring your passport.
Ah yes but I don’t forsee a trip there in the future. Is there some way an arrangement could me negotiated that someone could grab one for me and a money transfer be sent for the cost of it and postage.
I just found some papers we had saved after our trip to CR in 1999. Included in the pile of receipts and brochures was a stack of bills. It totaled around 1150 Colones. There were even several 50 CRC bills! Anxious to see the value of the treasure trove I had stumbled upon, I found this site. Interesting reading.
So now, my roughly $2 USD souvenirs are back, resting with the brochures, receipts and now, fresh memories.
I know you have said travelers checks are not really accepted there as payment, but can you cash them it at banks? So many places are saying cash only and trying to limit the amount we have to carry from the start of our trip.
Hi Lee, I don’t think you can cash travelers checks at banks either. That’s strange that most places are saying cash only. In our experience, credit cards are widely accepted, even in small or rural towns.
WOW! What great info! Thank you very much!!
THANK YOU! This was incredibly helpful in understanding how to best thank folks for their help. Heading to CR for the first time in August. We will be visiting La Fortuna and have lots planned (tours, night walks, rappelling, hot springs). I hate spending time each day counting up bills in a hotel or AirBNB when we travel. Thanks to your post, I was able to calculate what tip is appropriate ahead of time and plan to pre-stuff tiny envelopes for each day! We can always leave more, but it’s great to know we’ll be ahead of the game.
Hi Amy, That’s great! Glad our article was helpful and that you could get it all figured out before you leave. Hope you have an amazing trip!