sparklegem

We will be arriving at SJO and then continuing down to The Pearl at Iguana Lodge. Where is the best place to get colones?

tully

As long as you have clean, untorn 20's in USD you will be fine. But if you want to get colones though there is an atm about 1/2 mile up the road from the SJO airport. Just ask a taxi to take you to the Mas x Menos (grocery store), it's right next door.

raquel_z

there are several ATMS at the SJO airport. There is one in the baggage claim area - if you don't see it right away, ask for it as it might be sort of in a corner.

DO not change money at the Currency Exchange booth at the airport as the rate they give is terrible.

pura vida,
raquel

fishee

Isn't the exchange rate in our favor (USD vs the colones)? Why are people using USD in CR -- just for convenience?

I was planning on using ATM's throughout our trip -- is this off?

tully

The difference (at leaast from I've found) is very little. The official rate is 1 USD to 517 CRC. But as a rule of thumb I just use $1 = $500 (the difference is less than a nickel). I usually take about $500 usd on me and as I go along will add to that at atm's getting colones.

sparklegem

Thank you, all!!

shillmac

Yep, that's what we do as well. Take just enough to get along for a couple or 3 days. Stock up on colones at the first ATM that works!

Dollars are so widely used that many people don't bother with colones. I prefer using the local currency just because, like Dorothy, I'm not in Kansas anymore! Also, it seems easier not to have to constantly be converting, although the 500 colones to a dollar rule isn't too mentally strenuous!

sparklegem

Is there an ATM in Puerto Jimenez?

tully

Not positive but I don't think so. I always grab cash right at an atm right before I fly down there and if necessary have charged stuff (like bar tabs, etc at BdC). There is a surcharge for that though, about 7% I think.

Suzie2

There is a bank in PJ but either they don't have an ATM or it wasn't working when we went there. Can't remember for sure. We usually have cash. Once we ran low so went to the bank to get money. I had been in some loooong lines at banks in the past so was dreading it but it didn't take long at all. Jose from Bosque has a gift shop right near by if you want to spend a little ;-).

If you book your tours at either of those lodges you can just settle up with the lodge rather than having to worry about having the small cash to pay for each tour individually.

We always try to have a few colones but we don't panic over having them. A lot of shops these days have prices listed both ways.

sparklegem

Thank you!

Does anyone know if we can run a tab while staying at the Pearl? Also, is it possible there to settle up by personal check or is cash the way to go there?

Suzie2

Hi Gem,
I run a tab. They will just ask your room number. Don't know about personal checks. I doubt it. When you send a personal check for payment to some places it is routed through Miami and deposited there.

I would check with Toby or Lauren at Iguana/Pearl. I usually use cash but I would think you could use other payment methods.

sparklegem

Thank you, Suzie. I think I need to make a list of questions to ask them. It is hard for me to contact them. For some reason when they email me I never receive it. I will try using my husband's account.