Here is all you need to know about handling money in Costa Rica when it comes to local Costa Rican currency, exchanging money and using USD in Costa Rica.
We will go into more details below and we will also talk about how to pay for things if you are Canadian.
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Costa Rica Currency
The Costa Rica currency is the colon (colones plural), named after Christopher Columbus. The Costa Rican currency symbol is ₡, a c with two lines across.
Costa Rica Colon to USD Exchange Rates
The Costa Rica currency exchange rate changes constantly and it can change day to day. What was the exchange rate yesterday, may not be the rate it is used today.
What the exchange rate was this morning, may not be what it is in the evening!
The exchange rate is approximately 500 CRC to 1 USD.
Additionally, the exchange rate is not the same in every bank or financial institution since the colón is not bound to the Central Bank of Costa Rica devaluations.
Since 2006, exchange rates posted by the Central Bank are used as a reference. Costa Rica money exchange rates change daily due to this reason.
Costa Rican Currency Bills and Coins
Colones bills come in 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000. The coins come in 5, 10, 25, 50 100 and 500.
Interesting fact: The 1000 colones bill (red) has the national animal which is the white-tailed deer.
Now bills are all made of plastic substrate, cotton bills are no longer accepted in circulation.
Is USD accepted in Costa Rica?
First thing to know is that US dollars are readily accepted in Costa Rica. This is because Costa Rica is a touristic country with United States citizens as their main tourists and many American companies have headquarters in Costa Rica.
For this reason, tours and hotels are quoted in USD. Some restaurant menus even list prices in USD (common in touristic areas).
Because of this, you do not absolutely have to exchange money before traveling to Costa Rica if you already have US dollars. However, there are some exceptions which I will talk about below.
How Much Cash Should I Bring to Costa Rica?
This depends on how long you will be in Costa Rica, what you plan to do in Costa Rica and where you are going in Costa Rica.
Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere in Costa Rica so you don’t have to bring a ton of cash. However, you do need to have some cash with you.
This is because there are many businesses that don’t accept credit cards. Common places where credit cards may not be accepted are Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero, Drake Bay, Bijagua, Santa Teresa, Samara and Tamarindo.
For a one week Costa Rica trip, I recommend to bring around $300 dollars in US dollars cash per person to begin with. Then, exchange about $100 USD to Costa Rican colones when you first arrive at the bank or supermarket.
If you need to exchange more, you can do it later on because you don’t necessarily need to go to a bank to exchange money in Costa Rica.
To get more cash, you can go to any ATM to withdraw cash.
Our personal recommendation for using US dollars in Costa Rica: Bring small bills
Bring fives, tens and twentys bills only. It is very hard, almost impossible to break 50s and 100s USD in Costa Rica unless you go to the bank or a casino.
Also make sure all the bills are in perfect condition – no rips, tears, misprints, stains, super wrinkled bills.
Costa Rica is very strict on this and they will not accept any bill with a flaw. I once received a $20 bill from the Costa Rican bank ATM that had a tiny folding misprint and no one would take it except the bank… even though I got it from an ATM IN Costa Rica.
Where Can I Exchange Money in Costa Rica?
For the best exchanges rates in Costa Rica, go to the bank. You can exchange currency in Costa Rica at any of the banks like Banco Nacional, BCR, Scotiabank, etc.
To exchange money in Costa Rica, it is required to bring your original passport.
You can also exchange currency at the airport in Costa Rica. Both the Guanacaste and San Jose International Airport have a currency exchange after immigration. They take other currencies than USD such as Euro and CAD. The exchange rate is so poor though. If you can wait until the bank or supermarket, I definitely would.
Hotels can also exchange Costa Rica currency for you. However this is not every hotel. Usually only the big chain hotels like Marriotts or Hiltons can exchange USD.
You can exchange Costa Rican currency at the supermarket, gas stations or restaurants. If you pay in USD, they will give you your change back in colones. Just make sure to check the exchange rate as they should post a sign somewhere the exchange rate they use.
Should I Use Dollars or Colones in Costa Rica?
Even though US dollars are accepted in the touristic destinations in Costa Rica, there are some instances where it is more favorable to use one or the other.
Pay in USD when things are quoted in USD. These are things like tours, private/shared shuttles, hotels, etc. Usually the more expensive products in tourism. This is the best currency to use in Costa Rica for these kinds of things.
Use Costa Rican colones for smaller priced items quoted in colones. These are supermarkets, souvenir stores, farmers markets, street vendors, taxis, buses, gas stations and toll booths.
That way you don’t need to worry about losing out on the exchange rate or having to calculate to the exact colon if you use US dollars.
But like mentioned earlier, you can pay in US dollars at big supermarkets or gas stations and they will give you back Costa Rican colones.
If visiting anywhere outside main tourist destinations, use CRC.
And lastly, if you visit during low season like September or October, some businesses will give extra discounts if you pay in cash.
Other Places to Pay in Colones
Public buses: the buses that you pay when you get on in San Jose do not accept any currency except Costa Rican colones.
Cross country public buses like San Jose to Liberia or Puerto Viejo have to be paid in advance via credit card or cash (USD or CRC) at the bus station.
Toll booths: Use colones as it’s quoted in colones. They accept US dollars but they do not use a good exchange rate.
Tipping: You can tip in either colones or dollars. Local currency preferred.
Can I Pay in Colones for Something Quoted in US Dollars if I Want to?
Sometimes. It depends on the company. Some may, some may not. You will need to ask. However, the standard currency in tourism is the USD.
To check the official exchange rate of the day, it is called “tipo de cambio” and you can check official exchange rates in the link.
Can I Use Canadian Dollars or Euros in Costa Rica?
Canadian dollars, Euros, or any other sort of foreign currency besides USD are not accepted in Costa Rica.
Not all banks accept or exchange Canadian dollars or Euros either, very few do. Scotiabank and sometimes Banco Nacional usually are able e to exchange currencies other than USD.
When you are in Costa Rica, pay with credit card for as many things quoted in CRC so then it will convert directly from CRC – CAD using the exchange rate from the Central Bank of Canada. Make sure you have a credit card (Visa is the most widely accepted) that doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees.
ATM Use
You can find ATMs throughout Costa Rica. They are in English and Spanish and you can withdraw both Costa Rican currency and USD.
All banks have an ATM and they are available 24/7. We recommend to withdraw money during the day and be cautious of people hovering about.
Take great care of protecting your PIN and do not forget to remove your card when finished.
What Credit Cards are Accepted in Costa Rica?
These major credit cards are accepted in Costa Rica: Visa, Mastercard and American Express. The exception is American Express which is accepted only in certain places, so make sure to have a Visa handy.
Visa is the most widely accepted credit card in Costa Rica. Discover card is not accepted in Costa Rica, I have never seen any business establishment accept it.
Important Things to Look Out For When Paying with Credit Card
ALWAYS know which currency you are paying in when using credit/debit card! Why? Sometimes the vendor will ask you which currency you want to pay in: Costa Rican colones or USD.
Make sure to tell them which currency and check the machine before entering your PIN number or pressing the yes button.
However, not all vendors will ask you. The vendor may instead enter the amount to charge in colones instead of USD and that’s a HUGE difference.
So instead of being charged $10 USD, they charge you 10,000 Costa Rican colones which is ~$20 USD. Always ask and make sure you know which currency you’re being charged in!
Debit Cards in Costa Rica
I used my debit card for a couple of years in Costa Rica. However, I don’t recommend it since there isn’t as much protection for debit cards as there is for credit cards.
Furthermore, car rental companies don’t normally take debit cards since the deposit takes 1-3 months to return compared to 72 hours for credit card.
If they do accept it, they’ll have you sign a waiver saying you understand that the using debit card requires a longer time to return the deposit as it’s a “real cash transaction.”
Credit cards offer more security and protection in case it gets stolen, so I recommend to use a credit card in Costa Rica.
Read more Costa Rica travel tips below!
Tips for traveling in Costa Rica on a budget
1 week Costa Rica travel expenses wrap up
How much things cost in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Bonny & Joe Hillebet says
Hi Sammi and Yeison,
We are finally 2 weeks away from our trip to Costa Rica, and thanks to all your help, we are down to figuring out how many colognes we will need. Question for today: Is gas paid in colognes, dollars, or can it be paid with credit card, even? We are going to be arriving March 4, and leaving March 20, and will be driving from San Jose to Vera Blanca, to Monteverde, to Carara area, then San Isidro General area, then Savegre, San Gerardo de Dota, and back to San Jose during that time, spending 2-3 nights in each area. We are really excited about it, and all your information has been outstanding. We are renting our car thru your website, too. Thank-you so much.
Sammi says
Hi Bonny, you an read all about getting gas here: Costa Rica gas stations 🙂
Diane says
Thank you for the very informative information, I have really enjoyed reading your blog. We are headed to CR in a week and were planning to take a small amount of USD and withdraw as we need from the ATM. The exchange rate to purchase Colones in Canada is less favourable. Are the ATMs readily available? We land in Liberia and head to La Fortuna and would likely want to with draw some local currency in the first couple of days.
Sammi says
Hi Diane, ATM’s are readily available in Costa Rica and you will find ATM’s that are 24 hours. There is a currency exchange at the airport but keep in mind that most banks in Costa Rica don’t exchange Canadian dollars, only some of them do so to be sure, I would withdraw colones at the airport just in case.
Diane says
Thank you Sammi,
Our intention would be to leave our Canadian money at home. Please confirm, If we are using our Canadian ATM card, at all machines we would have the option to withdraw Colones or USD, have I understood this correctly? Do you know if they convert Canadian to Colones directly, or do they convert from CAD to USD and then to Colones?
Thank you
Diane
Sammi says
Hi Diane, that is correct all ATMS give you the option to withdraw colones or USD. I would think Canadian to colones would be just straight Canadian to Colones.
les says
With respect to exchanging money in CR, specifically Samara where we just spent January, the two local banks have no issue exchanging your Can for Colones and for a good rate as well.
We received the same exchange rate as available in the money exchange locations in Malls and better than at our Can bank.
All that is needed is to take your passport with you.
Clarice says
Thanks for all your helpful information
Heidi says
Do you know which if any banks in Playas Del Coco will exchange Canadian dollars? Last time in CR I had no issue exchanging at the Scotia Bank in Jaco but I see there is no Scotia Bank in Coco. Would much prefer to not have to get USD here in Canada before we leave and have to exchange twice.
Sammi says
None that I know of. There is a Scotia Bank in Liberia though, in the Santa Rosa Plaza.
Robin says
I am from UK and I got fees everywhere when I withdraw from ATM…
Just heard about one mobile application Fairswap to exchange cash.
Widely, you can post your need in foreign currency and if there is someone nearby facing the reverse need, then he can contact you and you will meet him and make the swap.
Could be a good way to change before travelling or get rid of some leftover after holidays.
Patsy says
So impressed with your blog! I’ve never seen another website about Costa Rica with so much info that is up to date and accurate and truly helpful. I’ve traveled to Costa Rica several times and have still picked up some great tips from your blog as I prepare for another visit. One question — do you have any info on moving to Costa Rica? I’ve wanted to do this for years and am now in process of gathering info on the specifics. My trip in 2 weeks is to visit potential areas to live. I would really appreciate any ideas or recommendations you may have. Thanks so much and keep up the great job!! You guys have the best job in the world! Enjoy.
Sammi says
Hi Patsy, thanks for your kind words! We just try to do our best to put as much helpful and up to date info as possible! As for moving to Costa Rica, that is a huuuuge topic so it depends on what you’re asking about (living, making money, daily expenses, finding rent, buying, etc.) and it depends on what stage of life you are at – single, retired, family, etc. I haven’t written any posts on it just because it’s such a big topic but my best advice is to first figure out how you’ll make money if you’re not retired because it’s incredibly hard to get a job in Costa Rica and the living wages are way lower so depending on your lifestyle, a lot of people don’t live here permanently because they can’t get a job or make/have enough money to keep living the lifestyle they want in Costa Rica. Good luck!
Sandy kolp says
Just want to tell you your site was very useful with our trip to Costa Rica this April. Had a great time and saw lots of animals. Keep up the good work. Sandy Kolp
Sammi says
Hi Sandy, I’m so glad to hear that and that you guys had a great time in Costa Rica! Thanks for reading!
Shahla Foote says
I found information you previded very helpful ! I’m leaving for Costa Rica some times next month and can use all the info comes my way .
Thank You ☺️
Sammi says
Hi Shahla! I’m happy to hear the information is useful! We hope you have a wonderful time and you can find a lot of information on this page: Costa Rica information
Jennifer Grundy says
Thank you for these tips.
Some restaurants give a price in colones and usd . Usually at the even dividend. C6000 IS 12.00
C10000 IS 20.00 ETC.
Is it cheaper to pay in colones?
Sorry, I’m slow in the numbers depth
Sammi says
Hi Jennifer, they need to change that because it’s not accurate. 10,000 colones is not $20, it’s around $17 so I would pay in colones, you’ll be losing money with dollars if that’s how they are going to charge.
Dong says
It’s good to know that one can withdraw both Colones and Dollars from the ATM. But which is a better deal? I am thinking that dollars may not needs currency conversion.
Sammi says
Either one is fine since the bank will use the accurate currency exchange rate for that day and it does also depend on your own bank if they have an exchange fee.
Lori says
Thank you for all of this info! I’m heading to Costa Rica later this month and this post was very handy. 🙂
Sammi says
You’re welcome, glad it was useful and have a great time!