This is about two years behind schedule, so I'll believe it when I see it. 
This last three in the new series of colon banknotes are to be introduced in August. New 5,000- and 10,000-colon bills will replace the old series. For the first time, a 50,000-colon note will be introduced, worth about $100. The new series of 1,000 and 2,000 bills have been in circulation for some time along with the new 20,000 note.
Supposedly, there will be no "grace period" once the new bills come out, the way there was with the others. If you have any old 5,000s or 10,000s left from previous trips, you'll have to exchange them at a bank. After December, you can only exchange them at the Central Bank.
They're pretty:
http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/jeffstuff/colones.jpg
The entire series of six bills is smaller than the old bills. They are all the same width, but different lengths to aid the blind.
New 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 bills due in August
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They are pretty. Thanks for noting there may be no grace period, good to know.
Btw Jeff, sorry for the OT but just wanted to mention we are having another GTG down at Bosque at the end of June, 2013. Hopefully you may have some time to pop down for a couple days, sounds like we may have a pretty good sized group this time.
UPDATE: The new bills will come into circulation on Aug. 27. There will be a grace period for using the old bills after all. They'll be good for any payments until the end of the year. Then through April 30, 2013, they have to be exchanged for new bills at any bank. After that time, they can be exchanged only at the Central Bank.
Tully, thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
Jeff, it would be great to meet you. You've provided
us with such valuable information on Costa Rica
over the years. Hope you can make it.
The new bills are in circulation. They're very bright and colorful. The 5,000 bills are more yellow than the orange shown in the link I posted above. (I haven't handled a 50,000 yet.) I went to the ATM this morning to withdraw 100,000 colones (about $200). The machine gave me 10 bills of the old 10,000 series. I suppose it will take some time to reprogram them since the new bills are smaller in size than the old ones and each is a different length.