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Changing money-before
leaving |
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If you are thinking about changing in Colones before arriving into Costa Rica avoid doing it as the
international bank rates are horrible and charge a very high commission fee
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Remember to ensure that your bank card has been authorized for
international use before leaving your home country
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Changing money-Once in Costa Rica |
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Your best bet is to change some money when you arrive at Costa Rican airport, and leave the rest
to do at the closest bank to where you will be needing large sums of money. |
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As for dollars or Colones... a mix is best many hotels DO accept dollars but taxi
driver and small business
normally
do not and if they do they will take
nothing bigger then $20.00 bills. Most larger towns do have a bank where you can
change traveler's checks. |
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Most banks in Costa Rica have a daily limit of about $300.00 off your debit card
when using the bank machine but cash
withdrawal from a visa or MasterCard can usually be much higher if done directly in the bank not via
the cash machine. |
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Euros, Canadian dollars and some other currencies can be changed in San
Jose only and some locations of the BCT Banks. |
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Dollars or Colones only! Euros, Canadian dollars and other currencies will not
be accepted here in Costa Rica and especially not in small towns. |
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As for changing money in small towns, small amounts can usually be done at the
supermarket with the purchase of something. |
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Please remember that low budget hotels normally only take cash and not large denomination bills. |
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Travelling on a budget
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Travelling on a budget is not a bad thing but does take a bit more planning as you do need to be sure that
the towns you would like to see have low budget accommodations and enough of
them during the busy months. Reservations are not normally necessary in
low/mid-budgets but is always a good idea if you are sure that your dates are
set.
The best and cheapest way to travel is backpacking and here in Costa Rica the backpacker
hostels are cheaper then the official youth hostels. Your best bet is to buy a
"Lonely Planet", "Let's go" or "Rough guide" travel guidebook which will supply you with contact info of many low budget hotels
and camping sites.
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Please remember to make bookings for the holidays, both international and local holidays, as most beach hotels do have
limited space around those times.
If you are planning to make reservations please expect that it may take quite a
bit of time to respond due to availability, or lack there of, to internet.
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What type of spending budget should I have per day?
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Normally, when your not in all included package, you should budget about $15.00 per day for
food, at least $10.00 a night for basic accommodations, travel from one
destination to the next and travel from hotel and back
for daily excursions and park entrances
fees or tour costs. The park entrance prices are at about $10 per day and taxi costs are all
based on how close you are staying to your excursion destination.
If you are
taking the time and money to travel it's best to have more then less
to feel you
have really enjoyed your Vacation!
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For students studying at Montaña Linda Spanish Language
School and choosing a homestay family option, your extra expenses would be that which you would consume for
lunch, laundry small gifts for the family, maybe taking them out for ice cream etc
and any extra tours or transport to parks that you might want to do during your
time here in Orosi.
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General
Spending cash is hard to estimate as it depends upon your life style. |
