nibblette

Is it OK to use US$ TC to tip? I don't want to carry a lot of cash and will be in areas where there aren't a lot of ATMs. Will be on a multi-day tour where tipping is expected.

shillmac

We carry plenty of ones and fives for tipping. I usually go to the bank before we leave and pick up about 30 ones and 10-15 fives. I ask for them to be new, if possible.

Once there, you'll receive a lot of change in colones. 500 colones is roughly equivalent to $1. You can use either US$ or colones then.

nibblette

Thanks, shillmac.
I'm doing a tour where the company's guidelines say $10/day for each employee (2 I think). So it'll add up for a multi-day. Is it OK to use TC for their tips?

shillmac

Gee, I have no idea, but I wouldn't think they would want Traveler's Cheques. Too much of a hassle. Just take several tens instead of fives, I suppose! Anyone have a better idea? How many days, nibblette?

We don't like to carry a lot of cash either, but a few times have found ourselves transporting LOTS of it (or at least more than we'd care to lose--several hundred). We just make sure none of it is in the same place at the same time. The majority we keep on our persons somewhere. I hate having to think about it, so we avoid it whenever we can. But, as I said, sometimes it has been necessary when traveling to more remote locations where the hotels prefer cash.

buzzer

I agree that TCs for tipping would not go over very well.

With any luck your hotel will have a small safe in the room for your stash of cash, passports, camera when not in use, etc. Then you can carry just what you'll need that day (except, of course, between destinations).

BTW, I never carried my passport with me when out and about. Last year I did take a photocopy but didn't bother this year. I could be wrong, and it may depend on the area, but my sense was that nobody cares who you are or where you're from.

I'd be curious to know if anybody thinks this foolish.

shillmac

Probably not foolish. I don't think anybody cares, unless something unexpected occurs. And occasionally , it does--car accident, theft, anything involving a police report. Carrying a photocopy is just a precaution, I suppose.

shillmac

Forgot to mention: like you, Buzzer, we don't carry photocopies with us. We've been very casual about that. I'm sure those who have needed them and had them were very glad they were prepared!

nonstop

Hope I am not getting the thread off course but having had a couple of unsucessful pickpocket attempts made on me in other countries, I try to carry as little cash as possible. If they(pickpockets)get TC's you can always get your money back.

I would not use US TC to tip. Agree with Shillmac-too much of a hassle for the receivers.

I like ATM's for cash source but have been in situations where a complete line of them is down and no way to get cash so I always carry a few TC's and a little USD to go to the Cambio for money.

If I carry USD I try never to carry a $100 bill because other countries are more skeptical of them.

RE: copy of passport. I always carry a xerox copy of my passport. When cashing travelers cheques I had some places want to my passport or at least want the number. A bank is Mexico refused my TC's because they thought there was a slight difference in my signature. They wanted to see my passport which I didn't have with me (taught me a lesson about at least carrying a copy). Fortunately I had a respected resident with me to vouch for my identity but the whole thing was a hassle without a copy of my passport.

I always try to ask what any of the businesses which they prefer: Cash, credit, or TC's

Carry small bills for tipping, the people will appreciate it much more.

When I pay in small shops they always seem to appreciate small bills. Amazing how many times it is difficult for them to come up with change.

shillmac

Good point, nonstop. Bank transactions do require passports. Someone mentioned recently that large bills were readily accepted, but that was not our experience, and I agree that anything more than a $20 is going to cause a problem. For one thing, larger bills are more suspect as counterfeits, and the one time I cashed one in a supermarket, I could see it caused them a bit of concern.