Currency in Costa Rica... advantages and disadvantages of using USD
Apr 6th, 2011 | 12:09 PM
#41
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 0
Only if you pay in colones, hsmithcr. 
Thank you.
The point you made earlier about us as visitors not knowing what goes on behind the scenes is a good one. And there's no reason we would. I only know all this because I've done a lot of writing about the business of tourism. A dollar represents something entirely different to a Costa Rican than it does to us. It's a lot more complex than us saying, "How nice! We can pay in dollars."
Thank you.The point you made earlier about us as visitors not knowing what goes on behind the scenes is a good one. And there's no reason we would. I only know all this because I've done a lot of writing about the business of tourism. A dollar represents something entirely different to a Costa Rican than it does to us. It's a lot more complex than us saying, "How nice! We can pay in dollars."
Apr 6th, 2011 | 03:05 PM
#42
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Thanks Jeff!! I too am guilty of paying in dollars only because I never gave it much thought before, just assumed if they accepted US currency all was good. Now that you've put things in perspective, I'll be sure to pay in colones on future trips.
The "future" can't get here soon enough...I leave in a few more weeks
The "future" can't get here soon enough...I leave in a few more weeks
Apr 6th, 2011 | 06:42 PM
#43
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 0
No, I'm not saying anyone is "guilty" of doing anything. I don't want to create that impression at all. If your hotel quotes your rate in dollars, then you can pay in dollars. That's fine.
The tourist industry here did create this "monster" by pricing everything in dollars all these years. When the colon was continually losing value, it perhaps made sense. Now that the colon has finally stabilized -- it's held at around 500 for the past two years -- and the dollar isn't that attractive these days, it's a problem for the industry. I don't know that there's any way out of it for them.
Maybe Costa Rica should just dollarize and be done with it. Panama did it decades ago, and Ecuador and El Salvador have done it in the past 10 years. That's been talked about here, although there's a lot of resistance to the idea.
Looking forward to hearing about your trip when you return, petite43.
The tourist industry here did create this "monster" by pricing everything in dollars all these years. When the colon was continually losing value, it perhaps made sense. Now that the colon has finally stabilized -- it's held at around 500 for the past two years -- and the dollar isn't that attractive these days, it's a problem for the industry. I don't know that there's any way out of it for them.
Maybe Costa Rica should just dollarize and be done with it. Panama did it decades ago, and Ecuador and El Salvador have done it in the past 10 years. That's been talked about here, although there's a lot of resistance to the idea.
Looking forward to hearing about your trip when you return, petite43.
Apr 7th, 2011 | 05:26 AM
#45
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Here are a few links that describe the current dollar / colon delema:
http://www.ticotimes.net/Business-Re...vember-05-2010
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2...CostaRica.html
Pura Vida,
Ballardo
http://www.ticotimes.net/Business-Re...vember-05-2010
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2...CostaRica.html
Pura Vida,
Ballardo
Apr 7th, 2011 | 02:17 PM
#46
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
No one is trying to make anyone feel guilty, mlgb -- just trying to explain the situation which can be a little complicated.
And, of course, if you wish to go to Hawaii or Puerto Rico, you will have no issues about which currency to use.
And, of course, if you wish to go to Hawaii or Puerto Rico, you will have no issues about which currency to use.
