What Currency Is Used In Costa Rica

Colones to Dollars

The official currency of Republic of costa rica is the Colon. Colones consist of colorful bills that depict some of Costa'southward Rica'south most beautiful animals– these existence sharks, monkeys, sloths and butterflies. They come up in the amounts of 1000, 2000, 5,000, 10,000, xx,000 and 50,000 colones. The exchange rate betwixt the dollar (USD) and the colon is always fluctuating and is currently around 612 colones to the dollar. For the most electric current commutation rates, check the site of the Key Bank of Costa Rica.

The Colon

The Costa Rica currency, the Colon, was named afterward Christopher Columbus, or Cristobal Colon. New colorful waterproof bank notes were released between 2012 and 2014. The bills come in denominations of ¢ane,000, ¢2,000, ¢five,000, ¢10,000, and ¢20,000, ¢50,000 with coins of five, ten, 25, fifty, 100 and 500 Colones. You might also notice that the bills are different sizes. That is actually a unique feature that helps people who are blind differentiate between each neb.

The money organization in Republic of costa rica is not as well confusing, so you shouldn't be besides worried virtually trying to figure it out. A quick reference betoken is that everything is a multiple of 5.

500 colones is equivalent to approximately i dollar. Make sure you cheque the exchange rate before your trip. The exchange rate may become up or down, just information technology won't make that much difference in everyday purchases. 1,000 colones is about $ii, 4,000 colones ~ $8, 5000 ~ $10. 10,000 colones ~ $20. A good trick is to look at the beginning number and double information technology to equal the approximate dollar amount.

Using US Cash

Us dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica. Bring smaller bills similar $1, $5, $x and $20 bills. The bills will need to be in practiced status equally they will not be accepted if they are ripped or torn. The larger the bill, the more than perfect it needs to be. Bills larger than $20 are hard and might have to be inverse at a bank. You volition most likely receive your modify in the local currency: colones. Euros are not widely accustomed in Republic of costa rica.

Exchanging Us Dollars To Costa Rican Money

When you lot get in, you may substitution your money for official currency at whatsoever local bank. Some upscale hotels volition also exchange money for their guests. Note that you volition get a more favorable exchange rate from banks. Do not exchange money inside the airport. Yous'll see money changing kiosks equally soon equally you get out the baggage merits area, just it'southward best to walk right past it. The substitution charge per unit at the kiosks in the Republic of costa rica airports is notoriously terrible. You can also commutation coin at your ain bank in your abode country for a expert charge per unit. They will only have to order the colones, and then plan on exchanging your money a few weeks ahead of fourth dimension.

Travel Tip: If y'all are making a smaller buy at a local convenient shop or soda, endeavor not to pay with large colones nib. For example, if you want to buy a Casado for 2,500 colones, attempt not to us a 20,000 colones bill. Ticos tend to get bellyaching because they don't desire to intermission that much change. Although if yous are insistent, they will commonly help you.

Travel Tip: Most places take credit and debt cards. Just check with your bank almost any possible fee you might have to pay to employ your card internationally.

Travel Tip: Leave your travelers checks at habitation. They are not as widely accepted as greenbacks or credit cards.

Travel Tip: Local banks in Costa Rica include the BCR (Bank of Costa Rica), BN (Banco Nacional) and BAC (a private bank).

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	The main color of the 1,000 colones banknote is reddish. On the reverse, you tin can see a dry forest with a Guanacaste tree, a white-tailed deer and a Costa Rican nightblooming cactus. The observe shows Braulio Carrillo Colina, who was the Head of State of Costa rica between 1835-1837 and 1838-1842, besides as the 1840-1842 Costa Rican coat of artillery.
	The main colour of the 2,000 colones banknote is blue. On the reverse, you tin see a coral reef, a balderdash shark, a ruby-red cushion bounding main star and a slimy sea plumage. The observe shows Mauro Fernández Acuña, who was a lawyer and politician, besides as the Colegio Superior de Señoritas.
	The main color of the five,000 colones banknote is yellow. On the reverse, you can see a mangrove swamp, a white-headed capuchin monkey, a mangrove crab and a reddish mangrove. The find shows Alfredo González Flores, who served every bit President of Costa Rica from 1914 to 1917, equally well as the Banco International de Costa Rica edifice in San José.
	The main color of the 10,000 colones banknote is dark-green. On the reverse, yous tin run across a rainforest, a chocolate-brown-throated sloth, a cup fungi and a eriopsis orchid. The discover shows José Figueres Ferrer, who served as President of Costa Rica on iii occasions, also every bit the Abolition of the Regular army.
	The main color of the twenty,000 colones banknote is orangish. On the reverse, you tin can meet Paramo, a volcano hummingbird, a sunflower and coffee plants. On the observe, you can come across Carmen Lyra, the first prominent female Costa Rican writer, as well equally an outline of Republic of costa rica and a rabbit stroking a wolf from Lyra's "Cuentos De Mi Tía Panchita" (Tales of My Aunt Panchita).
	The main colour of the fifty,000 colones banknote is violet. On the contrary, you can see a cloud forest, a parasol mushroom, a bromelia flower and a morpho butterfly. It shows Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno, who served as president of Republic of costa rica iii times and also served the Supreme Court in San José.

ATM Machines

You may get local colones using your ATM card. It's important that yous know the exchange rate before you do this. You should check with your banking company regarding their policy for foreign ATMs, fees, limitations, etc. Local ATM's fees will vary, just like at habitation. Be mindful when using ATMs and make sure that you are in a rubber area. Some ATMs will let you withdraw dollars, only not all of them.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted by most businesses in Costa Rica. Contact your credit carte du jour providers to permit them know you lot are traveling and ask them if any foreign transaction fees apply. Sometimes you will get a amend price paying in greenbacks rather than employ a card, particularly when yous are negotiating.

Price of Traveling in Costa rica

Costa Rica is regularly voted as the happiest country on earth, based on its life expectancy, lifestyle, values, and its environmental sustainability. Every year more people come to visit this little country for its natural beauty and eco-friendly attitude. Those who travel on a shoestring budget tin can survive on $fifty a mean solar day. Top-notch hotels can charge up to $500 or more. Prices of luxury hotels and tours are in dollars, and dollars are widely accustomed, but it is useful to have some Colones on mitt.

Shopping in Costa Rica

Shopping for clothes and food in Republic of costa rica is not as cheap as you might expect. Most prices are actually like to prices in the United states or UK. Clothes, in particular, are expensive in Costa Rica. Supermarkets at present offer a wider selection of local and imported food and a good option of wine. It is significantly more than costly than in the US, specially for imported items. Shopping in the middle of San Jose, like at the Central Market on Avenida Key, is cheaper than in the flashy Malls of the Suburbs, and this is besides where you volition detect typical artisans and souvenirs. The most economical places to shop for fresh foods, meats, fish fruits, and vegetables are at outdoor ferias (farmer'due south markets). They are usually open in the mornings on weekends. We suggest having a repast at a traditional soda besides! Sodas are "mom and pop shops" that traditionally serve the famous Costa Rican casado, or "married human being's meal." It's served with chicken, fish, pork or beefiness, rice, beans, salad, plantains and fresh juice! Bring cash because it volition exist cheap!

Tipping in Republic of costa rica

Unfortunately, in that location is no definitive guide for Tipping in Costa rica, and it's a hard topic as people have different opinions on when and how much to tip. Tips are appreciated, and your guides and drivers volition exist used to receiving them from tourists.

Drivers & Guides:

Depending on how much time and effort each guide or driver spent with you, $10, $20 or $40 is certainly appreciated based on the level of service you feel you received.

Taxis:

Tipping taxi drivers are almost unheard of, just if y'all feel the urge, it will be well received!

Restaurants:

Leaving a tip is not required for servers. Restaurants in Costa Rica add a 10% service charge to your neb. If you receive exceptional service, we recommend leaving an additional 10%.

Hotels:

For porters, 500 colones (virtually $1) per bag is a fair gratuity.

Higher up all, we promise that you find this information useful and that y'all are getting excited near your upcoming trip to Costa Rica.

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