TorontoJeff

Hi there,

Looking for some help with Costa Rica. We are headed to Montezuma over the new year. I've never been to CR.

1) When I land, I need to call from airport – how are the payphones in CR? Any tricks to dialing a phone in CR? (ie. do you just dial the 10 digits for a local call?) Is it best on change, or better to get payphone card? If so, what brand is best?

2) Is it all US cash? I haven't seen much in terms of hotels/tours requesting Colones. Does anyone know if there is an ATM in Montezuma? I'm a little scared about carrying $2K in US cash.

3) Long shot question: For anyone who has stayed in Montezuma or nearby (Mal Pais, Santa Teresa, etc) what is the best way to get around without having you own car? Taxi? I've heard stuff about ATVs. Would appreciate any experiential advise.

Sorry for the barrage of questions, and thanks for any replies.

Jeff

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Phone numbers have seven digits. Just dial that. No area codes.

There are very few coin phones left, and the few that do exist require the old bulky silver coins that are slowly being taken out of circulation. Nearly all public phones require a local phone card.

guanacaste

the public phone system here is good, more info here:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/costa_...net/index.html

the local currency is stable biut almost all businesses will take USD!
dont think there is a bank in montezuma, if u dont have a credit card most hotels will take travellers checks, not great rates but safe!

try a local taxi driver called Gilberto 642 0241

http://costa-rica.typepad.com/montez...ome/index.html

sean420

There is an ATM in Montezuma at the jewlery store across the street Chico's bar. Most places will accept US dollars and give you change in colones. Montezume is pretty small and you can walk everywhere around town. To get to Mal Pais you can take a taxi or bus

Naplo999

If you plan to stay in one area - either Montezuma or Mal Pais/Santa Teresa - your feet are fine for getting around. Or you can just get a taxi for a few bucks go get from say St. Teresa to Mal Pais. Lot's of people have ATV's in the Mal Pais area. Really the best way to get around is to walk along the beach, its easier then walking on the dirt road - but it's very dark at night. Get a taxi guys card and you can always have someone at a bar or restaurant call them for you.

Montezuma is pretty small you can walk to most places.

If you want to go from one to the other I would probably rent a car. It's about 40 minutes from Mal Pais to Montezuma.

I generally used Colones. They rip you off a bit on the exchange rate sometimes. But pretty much everyone takes US $. I know there is a bank and an ATM in Cobano - the town about 15 minutes away from Montezuma.