Costa Rican Currency, Exchange Rates, Travelers Checks, and Credit Cards
Costa Rican Currency, Exchange Rates, and Travelers Checks
Bring only U.S. dollars in cash and in traveler's checks, which can be exchanged widely. Currency from other countries can only be exchanged at the central bank in San José, and is a long process (read: half a day!). The exchange rate in the airports in the U.S. is something like $1 = 500 colones; in San José the exchange (July 2007) is $1 = 518 colones and changing daily. There is an exchange booth in the IMMIGRATION area (but will probably be closed when your flight arrives). The exchange rate for travelers checks is lower, and must be exchanged in banks (depending on where you go to the bank this can mean 2 hours in line!). If you are being met at the airport by a Serendipity guide, we can help with the exchange, or provide you with cash if you've pre-arranged an exchange with us.
Credit Cards in Costa Rica
Credit cards work well in the Central Valley and the more established communities where there are phone lines for authorization. You may pay a premium to use the card.
Tourist hotels take credit cards for payment, but not to confirm reservations; under Costa Rica law, all credit card payments MUST have a physical credit card imprint and a signature. Because of this, phoned confirmations are not binding on you and therefore hotels, etc. will not guarantee hotel rooms on credit card numbers. Some hotels accept the cards on the phone, but in the end many hotels will sell a confirmed room to people with "real" money who show up. If Serendipity is arranging your accomodation this will not be an issue for you.
CAUTION! Many places accept only VISA, or only Mastercard, but not both! American Express is less widely accepted (about the same proportion in Costa Rica as in the USA). We've never seen the lesser known cards (Discover, Diner's Club, etc.) accepted here, but then we've never tried to use one.
