American Express credit cards are not accepted everywhere in Costa.   Master charge and Visa are widely accepted.

If you make a purchase in cash for gifts to take home,  ask for a 10% discount because you gave them cash (not a credit card).  You can bargain better with cash, because credit card commissions are very high for the merchants.

Restaurants already have a 10% tip added to bill when it is presented to you.   If you had excellent service it is customary to add some to that,  say 5% or whatever you feel is right for you.

Take some  $1 dollar bills  to use for tips.

Put your cash and credit cards inside a money bag hidden under your clothes.  I carry a small amount of money in my pocket.  Keep your passport locked in the safety deposit box in your hotel room.

Take your student ID along.  You get discounts at museums and some other attractions, but you have to ask for the discount.

Changing money:  The international airport has a money changing counter but the exchange rate is bad.  There is an ATM machine located in the airport that takes VISA cards.  It is located across from the elevator on the Departure Level for arrivals.  Just ask  any airport attendant for directions to it.   Or you can simply   wait  until you get to the hotel to change  money.  Taxis will accept dollars.  Banks have long lines, so avoid the banks,  unless you are in a small town where the banks are not so busy.  But I always like to change, say $100 into colones.  Most tourist establishments will accept dollars, but it is better to “get the Costa Rica money (colon) straight in your mind.”  So if you pay in colones,  you can determine  if the change they give you is correct.

Banks in Costa Rica are  where you can for sure find ATM  machines.   In most popular tourist destinations you can find a bank with an ATM machine.

ATM machines  are closed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Debit cards are not accepted everywhere in Costa Rica.

Take only the credit cards  you will use on the trip.

Pack light.  Most airlines today limit the weight per suitcase  to 50 pounds.   If it is over that limit they will charge you extra, the amounts depends on the airline.

Small aircraft inside Costa Rica limit the luggage weight to 25 pounds per piece.  Ask ahead of time.  Last time I flew, I was allowed only one piece of checked luggage weighting 25 pounds or less.    I took  my backpack in my hand and they did not weigh it.

Clothing is casual, usually cotton jeans, shorts,  T-shirts,  rainproof light weight jacket,  comfortable walking shoes like  such as tennis,  beach sandals,  sun hat and sun screen.  bug spray.  However,  I see less bugs in Costa Rica than in Florida.   Small backpack,  small flashlight, small folding umbrella if you go during the rainy season.

Electrical current is same as North America.  You do not need a converter (like Europe)

Take an ample supply of medications  you take on a regular basis.  Interesting thing:  In Costa Rica you can buy across the counter (without prescription) all medications,   except narcotics.

Can I drink the water in Costa Rica?    Just the change of water can upset some people’s stomach,  so when I am in Costa Rica, I keep bottled water with me at all times.   Is the water safe to drink?  Depends on the location,  so it is better just to drink bottled water.  Check the new bottle to make sure it has an unbroken seal.

Time Zone: same as central time zone in north America except  Costa Rica does not observe day light savings time.   In Costa Rica there is same amount of day light each day-all year .  Sun sets around 5:30 p.m. and rises around 5:30 a.m. every day of the year.

Departure tax per person  (which you pay at the airport upon departure) is  $26.00 per person.

The red taxis are the government approved ones.  At the airport they are orange.  They have meters but always ask when you enter the taxi,  “How much does it cost”?

If I get sick can I get a good doctor?  Yes, the doctors in Costa Rica are considered to be very good.  Some, especially specialist, have been trained in the US or other places abroad.  There are several private hospitals- Clinica Biblica in San Jose and  Hospital Cema in the suburb of Escazu are excellent hospitals with North American standards.

Remember the airlines will not allow you to take the following in your carrry on bags, purse, or backpack.  Liquids, over 3 ounces per container,  jells over 3 ounches per container.  Sharp things such as finger nail files, nail clippers, scissors.

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The front desk of your hotel will change a small amount of your money into colones, usually $50  at  a rate close to the official exchange rate at the bank.  So I go ahead and change this much at my hotel.  Then I ask at the hotel front desk  directions to the nearest bank.  If it is within walking distance sometime later I go to the bank and change some more money at the official bank rate.

I never carry a large sum of  cash money around with me, and I carry it in a money pouch-under my clothes.

If you are shopping in a central market for crafts etc.  you can ask for a 10% discount by paying in  cash colones

Some places will surcharge you up to 6%  for paying with a credit card.   An example of this is small hotels,  so it’s better to pay them in cash.  Best thing is to ask ahead of time-when you make your reservation.  So there are no surprises.

American Express credit card is NOT accepted everywhere in Costa Rica so be aware of this.  Mastercard and Visa  are more widely accepted.

ATM machines?  Yes you can find them.  At the major banks and in areas where there is heavy tourism.  However, they are closed at night for security reasons and I have heard stories of the ATM machines not working.  The ones located adjacent to the banks almost always work, so those are your best bet.

Debit cards?  I have tourist tell me that yes they were able to use a debit card, but on the other hand ,  they  tell me that in some stores they were unable to use a debit card.

Traveler’s checks?  You can change these at major banks but there is a fee involved.   Hotels that take travelers checks also charge a fee.    And there are hotels which simply will not take travelers checks  SO check with your hotel before leaving home.

ATM machines in Costa Rica take the debit card.  However, I have encountered ATM machines that were not in good working order.  Do other businesses take debit cards?  Depends on the business.  Some of my tourist clients tell me they had no problem using their debit cards, and others have told me that no they could not use their debit card.

Travelers checks:  Many places will accept travelers check, but will charge a fee to do so.  But some businesses do not accept them.  So: to be sure,   I recommend that you check with your hotel  or  tour company ahead of time.  You will need to show your passport to cash the travelers checks.   The reason some businesses will not accept travelers checks is that it takes several weeks for this money to show up in their bank’s account.

The hotel  may charge a small fee for accepting the travelers checks in Costa Rica because it costs them to process the check through their bank.

In summary,  I recommend that you take part of your money in travelers checks and part in cash.  Use a money belt (under your clothes)  for cash and passport.  Keep small amount money in a pocket so you don’t have to get out the money belt in public.

Practice ahead of time changing from dollars into colones  (Costa Rica money)  www.amcostarica.com  an online English language newspaper posts daily the official exchange rate.  To make it easier  take a 3×5 card and write  $1= x colones  $2  $5  $10  $20 = x colones

Biggest scams I’ve seen is  not getting back the correct change in colones.  Taxi drivers, store owners,etc (not all but some) know that we get confused when we try to change money, so they may take advantage of you.

Ann welcomes questions and comments.  At end of the post you will see no comments (click on it) or it may say reply.

American Express credit cards are not accepted everywhere in Costa Rica. Master charge and Visa cards are widely accepted. However, if you are renting a car paying with American Express has advantages.  Check with the car rental agency you are renting from and ask if they accept American Express.

If you make a purchase in cash for gifts to take home,  ask for a 10% discount because you gave them cash (not a credit card).  You can bargain better with cash, because credit card commissions are very high for the merchants.

Restaurants already have a 10% tip added to bill when it is presented to you.   If you had excellent service it is customary to add some to that,  say 5% or whatever you feel is right for you.

Take some  $1 dollar bills  to use for tips.

Take your student ID along.  You get discounts at museums and some other attractions, but you have to ask for the discount.

Changing money:  The international airport has a money changing counter but the exchange rate is bad.  There is an ATM machine located in the airport that takes VISA cards.  It is located across from the elevator on the Departure Level for arrivals.  Just ask  any airport attendant for directions to it.   Or you can simply   wait  until you get to the hotel to change  money.  Taxis will accept dollars.  Banks have long lines, so avoid the banks,  unless you are in a small town where the banks are not so busy.  But I always like to change, say $100 into colones.  Most tourist establishments will accept dollars, but it is better to “get the Costa Rica money (colon) straight in your mind.”  So if you pay in colones,  you can determine  if the change they give you is correct.

ATM machines  are closed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Debit cards are not accepted everywhere in Costa Rica.

Take only the credit cards  you will use on the trip.

Pack light.  Most airlines today limit the weight per suitcase  to 50 pounds.   If it is over that limit they will charge you extra, the amounts depends on the airline.

Small aircraft inside Costa Rica limit the luggage weight to 25 pounds per piece.  Ask ahead of time.  Last time I flew, I was allowed only one piece of checked luggage weighting 25 pounds or less.    I took  my backpack in my hand and they did not weigh it.

Clothing is casual, usually cotton jeans, shorts,  T-shirts,  rainproof light weight jacket,  comfortable walking shoes like  such as tennis,  beach sandals,  sun hat and sun screen.  bug spray.  However,  I see less bugs in Costa Rica than in Florida.   Small backpack,  small flashlight, small folding umbrella if you go during the rainy season.

Electrical current is same as North America.  You do not need a converter (like Europe)

Take an ample supply of medications  you take on a regular basis.  Interesting thing:  In Costa Rica you can buy across the counter (without prescription) all medications,   except narcotics.

Can I drink the water in Costa Rica?    Just the change of water can upset some people’s stomach,  so when I am in Costa Rica, I keep bottled water with me at all times.   Is the water safe to drink?  Depends on the location,  so it is better just to drink bottled water.  Check the new bottle to make sure it has an unbroken seal.

Time Zone: same as central time zone in north America except  Costa Rica does not observe day light savings time.   In Costa Rica there is same amount of day light each day-all year .  Sun sets around 5:30 p.m. and rises around 5:30 a.m. every day of the year.

Departure tax per person  (which you pay at the airport upon departure) is  $26.00 per person.

The red taxis are the government approved ones.  At the airport they are orange.  They have meters but always ask when you enter the taxi,  “How much does it cost”?

If I get sick can I get a good doctor?  Yes, the doctors in Costa Rica are considered to be very good.  Some, especially specialist, have been trained in the US or other places abroad.  There are several private hospitals- Clinica Biblica in San Jose and  Hospital Cema in the suburb of Escazu are excellent hospitals with North American standards.

I welcome questions or comments on this post.  At the end of the post you will see no comment.  Click on it.   (Yes, I know it should say comment.)

Petty theft is common in Costa Rica so keep the following in mind:

1. Don’t wear flashy  jewelry,  especially in the cities.

2.  Carry  money in a money pouch -preferably under your clothes.  (I use the type that straps around the waist)  If you carry money in your  purse don’t carry large sums.  Keep you purse close to your body while walking  crowded streets and congested areas.  Pick pockets are common.

3. Make a copy of your passport  front page with your name and photo and a copy of the page showing when you entered Costa Rica:  keep it  with you all the time.   Most hotels have safety deposit boxes in the rooms where you can lock up your passport and extra money,  and airline tickets or reservations forms.

4. Don’t lay camera, binoculars, etc. down and walk off  and leave them unattended.   Keep these with you at all times.  Don’t hang your purse on back of your chair in restaurants.

5. Tie a colorful ribbon on your suitcase handle for easy identification at the luggage pick up ramp.  Seems most suitcases are black and they all seem to look similar.

6. If traveling by public bus, don’t place your luggage in the luggage compartment under the belly of the bus.  If possible take it inside the bus so you can watch it.

7.  If you change money into colones,   Practice counting it.  It’s easy to get confused if you are in a hurry…like paying a taxi.   Also you will know if you are being given correct change.  It’s better to have colones in small denomination bills (it’s less confusing when you get change back)

8.  Some stories told to me by my clients over the years:  1. A small group of young people were walking behind me and one of them  spilled  a drink on me.  Taking advantage of my confusion, one of them snatched my purse and they all ran.  And of course I never saw my purse again.  2. We got into our car (parked in the airport parking lot)  a couple miles down road we noticed a flat tire,  got out to check it,  when  two well dressed young men pulled over and offered to change the flat for us.  I left my purse in the car to check out the tire, and while I was distracted one of the young men removed my purse from the car.  I didn’t realize my purse was gone  until I arrived home.

9. Don’t lay your watch down on your  beach towel and go into the water.

10.  Late at night avoid areas where there is high concentration of bars and night clubs.

11. Don’t walk around at night in poorly lighted areas.

12. Don’t pick up hitchhikers.

13. Always leave your car parked in a lighted-guarded parking lot, not on the street.  And lock it.  Don’t  leave suitcases etc visible, especially don’t leave cameras, etc. in the car.   Take them with you.  My husband and I travel with two  video camera and a digital still camera (inside backpacks)  We never leave them inside the car–no matter where we are!

14.  If you have your luggage on top of the vehicle (luggage rack)  park the car so you can watch it  (if you are going into a restaurant, etc.)

15.  US Embassy is located in Pavas,  a western suburb of San Jose.  Monday-Friday call  2 519 2000.  After hours 2 220 3127.

For comments or questions at the bottom of the post  click on  “no comment”   Thanks for reading costaricalearn.com