money change
 

Going to Liberia this weekend. Will I get a better rate changing $ at the airport or just using the ATM to get Colons.

Better to use ATM, many ATM will give you both colones and US dollars.

Always ATM moneychangers will clip you 30% or more.
www.coinmill.com for current exchange and do be aware
that ATM withdrawals arecash withdrawals accrue daily
interest unlike transactions so payoff quickly.I have
used the ATM at the HiltonGarden Inn there was a nice one.
Visa CC taken widely use my no foreign fee double point
CC for everything I can no interest can rack up points quickly for more travel that way.Carry back up USD in my
money belt small bills new no tears.Works great for me.

Good luck!

Debit card ATM withdrawals are not treated as cash advances.

Many ATMs in CR have a low withdrawal limit.

Bring some USD cash as a backup and use credit cards to pay for what you can, as long as they are not ripping you a new one on exchange rates.

"ATM withdrawals are cash withdrawals accrue daily
interest" - WHAT???? SINCE WHEN????

I thought of using my ATM card, but if it will accrue interest... is this a new rule for 2012? I didn't get a letter from my bank on this!

Dayneau, don't worry, ATM debit withdrawls do not accrue daily interest. That is just incorrect information.

Maybe the poster meant taking money out of ATM machine using a credit card? But who would do that?

I'm sure that is what he means. ATM debit cards are fine, no cash advance fees and usually lower foreign exchange rates. Most of them have the same protections on loss/theft as credit cards nowadays. One thing I do is just to keep a small amount of funds in the account linked to the ATM and be sure there is no overdraft protection, just in case the card is stolen/hacked.

Use debit cards as noted. No extra fee, like credit cards. Can get US or CR money, better exchange rate. ATMs everywhere.

Are there no money exchange windows at the airports in CR? I'm not comfortable using an ATM machine outside of the US. I'll need to exchange Euros for Colons.

There are money exchange windows but you will pay a hefty price. Use an ATM or go to a bank to exchange.

<ATM withdrawals are cash withdrawals accrue daily>

WRONG!! (unless you use a credit card) A regular debit card works just like it does at home, it is not a "cash advance" rather a simple withdrawal from your account.


I'm wondering why you are not comfortable using an ATM machine outside the US. That really is the very best way to get local currency at the best rates pretty much everywhere your travel these days.

Glad to hear there are money exchange windows at the airports. The SJ airport info does not mention them at all. Only ATMs. My ATM withdrawl would be from US$, but like I said, I have Euros that I want to exchange into Colon. It's already vacation $$$$ and I want to use it on vacation. Sorry for leading everyone down the wrong $$ path.

Take the Euros to the bank, there's a Scotia Bank not 5 minutes from the airport, next to the Mas x Menos. You will get a much, much better rate.