So, you’re finally heading to the land of Pura Vida. You’ve got your hiking boots packed and your surf wax ready, but then you look at your wallet and realize you have no idea what’s actually going to happen when you try to buy a beer or a bus ticket in San José.
The official currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). It’s named after Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón), and honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful currencies you’ll ever see. The bills are colorful, plastic-based (polymer), and literally look like mini works of art featuring sloths, sharks, and hummingbirds.
But here’s the thing: while the colón is king, the US dollar is like the cool neighbor who’s always welcome.
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Can I Just Use US Dollars Everywhere?
Basically, yes—but with a catch. Most tourist-heavy spots like La Fortuna or Manuel Antonio will happily take your greenbacks. Hotels, tour operators, and high-end restaurants usually price things in USD anyway.
However, if you’re heading to a local soda (a small, family-run restaurant) or hopping on a public bus, those dollars won't help you much. Even if they do take them, you’re going to get a "tourist exchange rate" that’ll make your wallet cry.
The Change Problem
If you pay for a $12 lunch with a $20 bill, don’t expect $8 back. You’ll get your change in colones. The cashier will do some quick math (sometimes in their head, sometimes on a dusty calculator), and you’ll end up with a pocketful of heavy coins.
Pro tip: If you must use dollars, bring small, crisp bills. Anything with a tear or a "suspicious" mark will be rejected faster than a bad surfer on a big wave. Banks and businesses here are weirdly picky about the physical condition of US currency.
The Current Exchange Rate Reality
Right now, in early 2026, the exchange rate is hovering around ₡490 to ₡500 per 1 USD.
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For a long time, travelers just used the "500 to 1" rule because it made the math easy. If something was ₡5,000, it was $10. Simple. But the colón has been surprisingly strong lately. If the rate is ₡485 and you’re still using the ₡500 mental math, you’re technically overspending by a few percentage points every time you tap your card.
Quick Mental Math for 2026:
- ₡1,000 ("Un Rojo"): About $2.00
- ₡2,000: About $4.00
- ₡5,000: About $10.00
- ₡10,000: About $20.00
It’s not perfect, but it gets you close enough to know if you’re getting ripped off for that pineapple smoothie.
Where Should You Actually Exchange Money?
Avoid the airport kiosks. Seriously.
The exchange booths at SJO and LIR are notorious for giving terrible rates. You’ll lose 10% of your money before you even leave the terminal.
- The ATM (Cajero Automático): This is your best bet. Use a local bank ATM like BCR (Banco de Costa Rica) or Banco Nacional. They usually let you choose between withdrawing USD or CRC. Always choose CRC for your daily spending.
- State Banks: If you need to walk into a bank, bring your physical passport. Not a copy. Not a photo on your phone. The actual passport. Be prepared for a wait; "Tico time" applies to bank lines too.
- Supermarkets: If you pay in USD at a large grocery store like Pali or Auto Mercado, they usually give a very fair exchange rate in your change. It’s a sneaky way to "exchange" money without the bank line.
The "Plastic" Situation: Cards vs. Cash
Costa Rica is way more tech-forward than people expect. You can pay with a contactless credit card or your phone (Apple/Google Pay) at almost every gas station, restaurant, and grocery store in the country.
I’ve gone days in San José without touching a single coin.
But—and this is a big "but"—once you get off the beaten path, cash is still the MVP. Those little roadside fruit stands? Cash. The guy watching your car in a public lot (the Wachiman)? He needs a ₡500 or ₡1,000 coin. Toll roads? They technically take cards now in many places, but cash is way faster.
A Note on Credit Card Fees
Before you fly, check if your card has foreign transaction fees. If it does, that 3% surcharge will add up fast. Also, if a card reader asks if you want to be charged in USD or CRC, always pick CRC. This lets your own bank handle the conversion, which is almost always cheaper than the local merchant's "dynamic" conversion rate.
Tipping and Hidden Costs
Tipping in Costa Rica isn't like the US. It’s much more relaxed.
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When you look at a restaurant menu, the price you see isn't always the price you pay. Look for the fine print that says "Impuestos incluidos" (taxes included). If it’s not included, you’ll see two charges added to your bill:
- 13% VAT (Sales Tax)
- 10% Service Charge (The Tip)
Since the 10% tip is legally baked into the bill, you don’t have to leave more. However, if the server was amazing, leaving an extra ₡1,000 or ₡2,000 in cash is a nice gesture.
For tour guides, a $5 or $10 tip per person is pretty standard. For the Wachiman (parking attendant), ₡500 is plenty if you were only there an hour; maybe ₡1,000 if they kept an eye on your car while you hiked for three hours.
Common Money Mistakes to Avoid
Don't carry ₡50,000 bills. They exist, but they’re like $100 bills in the states—nobody wants to break them. Stick to ₡1,000, ₡2,000, and ₡5,000 denominations.
Also, watch out for the coins. They come in different sizes and colors (silver and gold-toned), and the old ones are much larger than the newer ones. It's easy to get confused and hand over a ₡500 coin thinking it’s a ₡50. Look at the numbers, not the size.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Call your bank today: Make sure they know you’re going to Costa Rica so they don't freeze your card the first time you buy a pipa fria (cold coconut) on the beach.
- Download a converter app: Use something like XE Currency that works offline. It’ll save you from doing "heat-stroke math" in the middle of a jungle.
- Get ₡20,000 in colones early: Grab this from an ATM once you land (but skip the exchange counter). This covers your first few meals, tolls, and tips without any stress.
- Keep your passport safe: Since you need it for bank exchanges, carry a high-quality color photocopy for daily use and leave the real one in your hotel safe unless you’re specifically heading to a bank.
Costa Rica isn't a "cheap" destination compared to Nicaragua or Guatemala, but if you handle the currency like a local, you'll save enough to buy an extra round of Lizano-slathered gallo pinto.