Question about ATMs in Costa Rica
 

I know it's been mentioned before, about ATMs in Costa Rica, but when I search I seem to get a bit of conflicting info - Do the ATMs take Mastercard debit cards? If so, are the ones that do harder to find than the ones that take Visa debit cards? We only have a Mastercard debit card, but it looks like we can get a Visa one through AAA - it's a preloaded one that we just put money on, and somehow you can add funds to while you're away if needed. If the Mastercard one would be that much trouble, would it be recommended to get a Visa one for the trip? Or are the Mastercard ATM's more available now?

Thanks! :)

ShellD,
We travel with a Mastercard and have the best luck with the Bank of San Jose. Fortunately (we were thrilled to discover this), that is what the ATM machine upstairs at the airport is. As you exit after going through customs and picking up your luggage, go to your right, up the stairs (or escalator) and it is in a little enclosed area there at the top of the escalator. Works like a charm.

We know that there is a Bank of San Jose ATM in Tamarindo also (just off the road heading up to Pasa Tiempo hotel). Also in San Isidro. They are scattered here and there, but not as common as some of the other ATM's. Sometimes we have luck with others here and there, but it's iffy.

Last year, we stopped in at the bank at the new outdoor plaza/square area coming into Liberia and used our card. It was a very state of the art bank operation--service was very prompt, which is not always the case. That is always an option.

We have thought about getting a VISA Plus card, but now don't feel it is necessary knowing about the ATM at the airport. We can get cash in colones the minute we arrive. Hope this helps!

There is also a BAC Banco San Jose ATM in downtown Quepos - if that happens to be one of your stops. Although we don't use a Mastercard debit, in general we have found it to work with our various cards when some of the other machines did not.

raquel

Thanks, raquel. The good things about the Banco de San Jose is that it works with LOTS of cards. Good to know about another one. I'd be thrilled if those who are in the know would reply with more locations. Sure would be helpful to us! I haven't thought of googling it--perhaps there is a website that would list multiple locations. . .

shillmac,

here's the link for you of the BAC ATMs
http://www.bac.net/bacsanjose/esp/ba...roscentro.html

yes - all bank machines are definitely not created equal..:)
raquel

Raquel, you're a saint--Thanks a million!

How very helpful--already printed out all of the locations and will keep with our travel documents. All of us who use Mastercard Cirrus will benefit so much from your post! Thanks again. . .

Just realized my MC has the plus logo on back, not the cirrus. I've always used my visa (plus) in CR with no problems so I'm assuming the MC with plus is a good thing?