We are leavng for Costa Rica and would like to know if we need to exchange us dollars before we leave?
If we need to exchange would you suggest we exchange in us airport or Costa Rica?

We've never had to exchange our money. U.S. dollars have been accepted everywhere we've gone. It was recommended to us to take denominations of $20 or less, and it's always worked out fine. You'll get colones back in change.

The currency exchange windows at the airports in Miami and Dallas deal in colones, but you'll get horrible rates. Wait until you get to Costa Rica if you're going to change money.

I'd qualify the "Dollars are accepted everywhere" statment. Most places will take dollars, although might not calculate the same rate you'd get at a bank. Little stores where you might stop to get a bottle of water or snack will expect payment in local currency.

I guess we've been lucky; we've stopped at several little places for snacks, drinks, etc. and have always had dollars readily accepted. pb, are you going somewhere off the beaten path? If you stray far from the major tourism areas, I can see that you might need colones.

Gas stations typically prefer colones.

Thanks for information. It is very helpful

ATMs are a good option for getting cash too (dollars or colones). Just remember that most (but not all) machines now shut down at night for security reasons. Take care of your cash needs during the day.

There are exchange windows at baggage claim and just beyond the customs exit at the airport in San Jose. They give lousy rates too. I'd avoid them.

When you're leaving, there's a BAC San Jose bank near the check-in counters. If you want to exchange any colones you have back to dollars, they do give you a good rate, just as at any bank.

We just got back today. We were able to use US dollars wherever we went. But don't take anything larger than a $20 bill. They will either give you change in US or colones.

We take lots of small bills and then collect colones as soon as we get them back as change. We use our debit card for a lot of our meals and tours and set aside our cash for when we really need it.

We've found a few small places that did not want anything but colones and they did not have seem to have change so small bills or coin were it. If you don't happen to have any colones on you, it will help to have some $1's and $5's. With small transactions, they will often recognize the US bills (especially $1's) and show you how many they need. Be careful about thinking you can use your debit card at most bigger restaurants. We had to go through our wallets and all our pockets at an oriental restaurant in San Jose.

ATM's are very handy but it is not uncommon to find that they are out of money or broken. Plan ahead a bit depending upon where you'll be and what you have planned.

thanks for all your help about money matters in CR, and especially about not depending on your credit card in restauraunts and the info about the bank trade in rate at airport when you are leaving. THANKS