Hey Jim. Where are you coming from? If it is Canada, I would see about getting colones at RBC. This way you don't get hit with USD exchange fees. We have been doing this now for a few years, the only thing is you need to give them a few weeks lead time to get them in your hands. We bring both colones and USD but have been getting more colones than dollars, due to the fact that there exchange rate at a business is not good. There is some stuff you need to pay in dollars only, like tours and exit taxes when you fly out. Credit cards work, but there is places I would not use them for. My brother had his card compromised at a gas station. I would use it for car rentals, hotels, and any major businesses. Mom and pop places I would use colones. There are places that give you a better deal for cash, so they don't have to add the taxes.
When you go to a restaurant, most times your tip is included in your bill. Usually 10% . If it is not, it is usually printed on the menu that " prices do not include tips".
-- Edited by Doug Lacoursiere on Tuesday 9th of February 2021 02:15:40 PM
How much cash (colones) should I bring for one month ?
Jim Overton
-- Edited by Jim on Tuesday 9th of February 2021 10:27:59 AM
Hey Jim,
That really depends on what you are planning to do....
But, I usually keep about 100,000 colones (approx 175 to $200 depending on exchange rate) handy, which is more than enough to do nearly anything.
I do put most everything on my Credit Card as I don't like and don't think it is safe to carry cash., but NOT every place accepts a credit card and often times, the Credit Card machine is down or internet not working for the machine.
Hope that helps you out...
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Life is short...so get out of the Rat Race and Enjoy Paradise in Costa Rica.
$200 per day for 30 days? I’d like to know about how much to bring also. Considering your room is paid for. I would need to rent a car for a month, have money for food and a few adventures. Not an exact amount but a range. I just want to see volcanoes, parks with monkeys. Maybe a zip line and hot springs. Thanks for any info. It’s so hard to do this alone.
$200 per day for 30 days? I’d like to know about how much to bring also. Considering your room is paid for. I would need to rent a car for a month, have money for food and a few adventures. Not an exact amount but a range. I just want to see volcanoes, parks with monkeys. Maybe a zip line and hot springs. Thanks for any info. It’s so hard to do this alone.
Yes, you could EASILY get by on about $200 a day. In my opinion, I think you could get by with $100 a day if you are not trying to LIVE THE HIGH LIFE. Lol
Unless you are trying to see everything possible, it would be hard to spend $100 a day in my opinion. The car rental for the entire month would be your most expensive item, after that, just tours, food and etc.
When we eat a meal, Rebecca and I generally spend about 15,000 colones. But that depends on how FANCY or Expensive your taste is. $15,000 colones is less than $30 a meal for two people and of course much cheaper for breakfast.
Most parks or things to do are NOT terribly expensive unless you are in the touristy areas...so, you could easily spend the day touring a Nature Reserve, or doing something for about $25 to $50 bucks...most things are less.
Hopefully, that helps...but ask more and give me more details and we'll be glad to help.
__________________
Life is short...so get out of the Rat Race and Enjoy Paradise in Costa Rica.
