This is of course one of the questions we ask ourselves when we have to go abroad. What currency is used there, what money should I bring with me, where should I exchange next time, what budget should I plan on the spot, should we leave a tip, etc., etc.? Questions to which we offer you the beginnings of answers here.
Today we are heading to Costa Rica to talk money…
What currency for Costa Rica?
The colon has been the currency of Costa Rica since 1896. Of course, its name is associated with the “discoverer of America” Cristobal Colon better known in French as Christophe Colomb.
- currency: Colon (100 centavos).
- tickets: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 columns.
- Pieces: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 columns.
- Exchange rate : it is here.
Foreign exchange and payments
Major foreign currencies can be exchanged in the country at a more or less correct rate.
Currency exchange counters can be found in practice in most major urban banks, as well as cambio houses which are exchange offices, plus of course ATMs, which are very common in the country. Banks are generally open until around 5pm on weekdays and Saturdays.
What currency to take?
If the official currency is the colon, it is normally possible to pay directly in US dollars; the whole point is to verify that the exchange rate offered is correct for this currency, which is increasingly tending to replace the local currency.
Please note that some prices are listed directly in US currency, especially for tourist services.
In short, Costa Rica is one of the few countries where it may still be a good idea to bring US dollars in cash and in small denominations so that you can pay exactly what is advertised in that currency (however, it makes no sense to exchange Euros for dollars and then change them to columns). But you can also take euros to exchange when you find the right exchange rate. Otherwise, as always, you can opt for a much simpler bank card exchange.
Method of payment
Card payment is possible and widespread; but beware of bank fees if you make too many purchases or withdraw small amounts. So for your regular expenses it will be wise to plan on having cash in the local currency (small denominations welcome) and some in dollars as well.
On the way back
The colon is hardly changeable at a good pace off the ground. The easiest is to change clothes as you need, or even end your stay with dollars that you can always use or easily exchange on another trip if there are any left.
Budget
Costa Rica can be considered expensive compared to other Central American countries. It is true that the standard of living is higher there, tourism older and “quality”, with high attendance and a clientele that is mainly North American or all-inclusive somewhere.
In short, apart from food and buses, which are not expensive if you stay local, everything else will have a price, even if in the end the necessary budget will still (still) be smaller than for a stay in Europe or North America.
So if you travel by local transport, eat in small restaurants, prefer backpacker hotels and limit visits and activities, you can get by on the equivalent of around €50/day for two people. But as always, for more facilities and especially to take advantage of what the country has to offer in terms of parks and sports-nature activities, a higher budget (at least €80) will be more realistic, especially if you come in high season such as Christmas or Easter.
Which can be expensive
- Christmas and Easter are the most expensive and busiest.
- Long-term sports-nature activities and entrances to national parks.
- Accommodation by the way.
Which doesn’t have to cost much
- Eat local.
- Local buses and transport as the distances are relatively short.
Tips
Tipping is not mandatory in Costa Rica, but there is nothing to prevent you from leaving a small change in a restaurant or hotel if you are satisfied, not forgetting the tour guide for which you can allow for example 10% of the price.