Currency, Exchange Rates, and Payment Methods for Tourists in Costa Rica

The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, symbol ₡). The exchange rate is not fixed: it floats according to the market, with the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) publishing a daily reference rate (buy and sell) on bccr.fi.cr — that’s why this guide does not include an exact figure, as it changes day to day; it is advisable to check the current exchange rate before exchanging money or when planning a travel budget.

Use of the U.S. dollar: it is widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, tours, and shops in tourist areas, but the dollar is NOT legal tender in Costa Rica — change for a dollar payment is almost always given in colones, at the exchange rate that the business applies (which may be less favorable than the bank’s). Outside tourist areas and in small towns, it is easier to pay in colones.

Donde cambiar divisas:

• Banks (Banco Nacional, BCR, BAC, Davivienda, Scotiabank, among others) and authorized exchange houses are the safest and most reliable options.
• Avoid exchanging money with informal people on the street or in border areas — it is a practice associated with scams and counterfeit bills.
• International airports (San José and Liberia) have currency desks, although they usually offer less favorable rates than a bank.

Tarjetas de credito y debito: they are widely accepted in hotels, formal restaurants, supermarkets, and most tourist businesses in well‑infrastructure areas (Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted). In rural areas, small towns, local sodas, markets, or informal vendors, cash may be the only accepted form — it is advisable to carry colones in cash as a backup, especially for excursions outside major cities.

Cajeros automaticos (ATMs and private bank ATMs): are available in most cities and tourist towns, and they usually accept international cards. Each withdrawal with a foreign card generally incurs a fee, whose amount varies according to the owning bank of the ATM (some banks do not charge a surcharge on cards issued abroad, others do) — there is no single nationwide fee; it is advisable to review the fee displayed on the ATM screen before confirming the withdrawal, and also check the conditions of your own issuing bank.

Sinpe Movil: it is an instant payment system between phone numbers, widely used by Costa Ricans (even for small purchases or at sodas). It is not a practical option for most tourists, as it requires having a colón bank account opened at a Costa Rican institution linked to the phone number — something a short‑stay visitor usually does not have. For everyday payments, a tourist should rely on cash (colones) and a card.

Nota: bank fees, card acceptance, and counter exchange rates can vary between institutions and change over time — for large amounts of currency exchange, it is advisable to compare 2–3 options (bank vs. exchange house) before deciding.