I was recently reminded of something that everyone traveling to Costa Rica *shouldn't* do. Don't use traveler's checks here. Local businesses hate them. Banks hate them. If you try to exchange them, you'll probably learn to hate them as well. Typically, in order to convert a traveler's check into cash, you'll sit at the bank for about an hour (sometimes two or three) then you'll speak to a non-english-speaking bank clerk who will slowly and reluctantly take your check and give you colones. Typically, they'll refuse to accept more than $100 or $200 in checks at any given time. And you better bring your passport (not a photocopy) or you'll be out of luck. Woe is you if your signature on the passport deviates in any way from the ones on the check. You'll also be out of luck if you've signed the 2nd line on the traveler's check prior to showing it, unsigned, to the bank teller. It is a slow and trying process that you will prefer to avoid, I promise.

Just about anywhere you find yourself in Costa Rica, you are probably less than 15 minutes from an ATM.

My recommendation is that you carry at least one ATM card (two is better) and a credit card (Mastercard/Visa is more widely accepted than Amex). Pull out around $100-$200 in local currency (colones) when you get here. When you go to use the ATM, even if you are using an ATM card from the States, be sure to hit the Credit Card button on the ATM as that is how it is going to process the transaction. Don't miss your pin, the machine *will* eat your card. It can take 2 or 3 hours to get it back.

Also carry five or ten $20 bills with you as just about everyone takes US dollars as well.

Carry some money loose in your pocket vs. keeping it all in your wallet, that way when you have to pay for something, you aren't pulling out the entire shooting match for everyone to see.

But don't bring traveler's checks.

Labels: Costa Rica, travel