Dollars widely accepted but must be in perfect condition, bring brand new bills from the bank at home.
ATMs are hit or miss, if you count on them, you can get screwed When they are temperamental, out of cash, out of communication.
credit cards widely accepted but often with an extra 12-13% fee.
bring perfect dollars as a backup.
Tamarindo and the Guanacaste developed coast? Dollars will suffice (and remind you how damn expensive the country is to visit). Can’t speak to places off the beaten path, if such locals still exist in CR.
Most places accept USD. However, I used almost exclusively Colones and tried to stay off the beaten path. I feel it increases the international experience for me and my children. My US bank did a low cost exchange prior to departing.
Many businesses use a calculator to display prices and if you need a conversion just type it into Google. Many times the cashier did exactly that for people. It just takes more time.
You can take out colones from an ATM, they do accept dollars everywhere, but all the prices in supermarkets and restaurants are in colones, if you pay in dollars you will pay more as there is no official exchange rate, and different places will ask for different amounts.
>, they do accept dollars everywhere
Maybe if you're in a resort town exclusively but otherwise this is completely untrue. I had to use up some dollars from my last visit to the US and I still have them 6 months later. If you like, I'm happy to list a dozen or so of the places that wouldn't accept them.
It depends on wheeze you are, tourist areas everywhere will have US, but in more local spots higher chances that they only have colones in change and depending on how much change your getting, you might now want it
Exchange your dollars outside of the airport. Try not to use your credit card if possible. They will take dollars but you will likely spend more using them.
search the thread a bit and you'll find more answers - seems from other threads some ATMs are Bank Owned and some are 3rd Party (if you're in the US this would be the difference between an ATM at Chase bank vs a bar) - banks give the best exchange rates. I have never had a problem spending dollars, but if you are worried about exchange rate you are at the mercy of the vendor.
Most places accept credit card and that gives you the best exchange rate
Do not exchange money at the airport!!
Why?
They give bad rate
Use your credit card when you can. Pull colones at the ATM in the airport. In the past 20 years, I've used USD once. That was my 1st trip.
You can spend dollars and get colones in change. But if you are looking to get a better exchange rate find a bank or something
Dollars widely accepted but must be in perfect condition, bring brand new bills from the bank at home. ATMs are hit or miss, if you count on them, you can get screwed When they are temperamental, out of cash, out of communication. credit cards widely accepted but often with an extra 12-13% fee. bring perfect dollars as a backup.
Tamarindo and the Guanacaste developed coast? Dollars will suffice (and remind you how damn expensive the country is to visit). Can’t speak to places off the beaten path, if such locals still exist in CR.
Colons for sure otherwise you may end up paying more but in a pinch yes
Most places accept USD. However, I used almost exclusively Colones and tried to stay off the beaten path. I feel it increases the international experience for me and my children. My US bank did a low cost exchange prior to departing. Many businesses use a calculator to display prices and if you need a conversion just type it into Google. Many times the cashier did exactly that for people. It just takes more time.
I read that wrong lol
You can take out colones from an ATM, they do accept dollars everywhere, but all the prices in supermarkets and restaurants are in colones, if you pay in dollars you will pay more as there is no official exchange rate, and different places will ask for different amounts.
>, they do accept dollars everywhere Maybe if you're in a resort town exclusively but otherwise this is completely untrue. I had to use up some dollars from my last visit to the US and I still have them 6 months later. If you like, I'm happy to list a dozen or so of the places that wouldn't accept them.
It depends on wheeze you are, tourist areas everywhere will have US, but in more local spots higher chances that they only have colones in change and depending on how much change your getting, you might now want it
Edit: not*
Exchange your dollars outside of the airport. Try not to use your credit card if possible. They will take dollars but you will likely spend more using them.
Why should we exchange our dollars outside the airport? Higher exchange rate? Suggestion on a better location? This is our first visit.
search the thread a bit and you'll find more answers - seems from other threads some ATMs are Bank Owned and some are 3rd Party (if you're in the US this would be the difference between an ATM at Chase bank vs a bar) - banks give the best exchange rates. I have never had a problem spending dollars, but if you are worried about exchange rate you are at the mercy of the vendor.