Costa Rica Money and Tipping Customs in Costa Rica

Colones to Dollars

The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colon. Colones consist of colorful bills that depict some of Costa’s Rica’s most beautiful animals– these being sharks, monkeys, sloths and butterflies.  They come in the amounts of 1000, 2000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 colones.  The exchange rate between the dollar (USD) and the colon is always fluctuating and is currently around 612 colones to the dollar.  For the most current exchange rates, check the site of the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

The Colon

The Costa Rica currency, the Colon, was named after Christopher Columbus, or Cristobal Colon.  New colorful waterproof bank notes were released between 2012 and 2014. The bills come in denominations of ¢1,000, ¢2,000, ¢5,000, ¢10,000, and ¢20,000, ¢50,000 with coins of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 Colones. You might also notice that the bills are different sizes. That is actually a unique feature that helps people who are blind differentiate between each bill.

The money system in Costa Rica is not too confusing, so you shouldn’t be too worried about trying to figure it out. A quick reference point is that everything is a multiple of five.

500 colones is equivalent to approximately one dollar. Make sure you check the exchange rate before your trip. The exchange rate may go up or down, but it won’t make that much difference in everyday purchases.  1,000 colones is about $2, 4,000 colones ~ $8, 5000 ~ $10. 10,000 colones ~ $20. A good trick is to look at the first number and double it to equal the approximate dollar amount.

Using US Cash

US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica. Bring smaller bills like $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. The bills will need to be in good condition as they will not be accepted if they are ripped or torn.  The larger the bill, the more perfect it needs to be.  Bills larger than $20 are difficult and might have to be changed at a bank.  You will most likely receive your change in the local currency: colones. Euros are not widely accepted in Costa Rica.

Exchanging US Dollars To Costa Rican Money

When you arrive, you may exchange your money for official currency at any local bank. Some upscale hotels will also exchange money for their guests. Note that you will get a more favorable exchange rate from banks. Do not exchange money inside the airport. You’ll see money changing kiosks as soon as you exit the baggage claim area, but it’s best to walk right past it. The exchange rate at the kiosks in the Costa Rica airports is notoriously terrible. You can also exchange money at your own bank in your home country for a good rate. They will just have to order the colones, so plan on exchanging your money a few weeks ahead of time.

Travel Tip: If you are making a smaller purchase at a local convenient store or soda, try not to pay with large colones bill. For example, if you want to buy a Casado for 2,500 colones, try not to us a 20,000 colones bill. Ticos tend to get annoyed because they don’t want to break that much change. Although if you are insistent, they will usually help you.

Travel Tip: Most places accept credit and debt cards. Just check with your bank about any possible fee you might have to pay to use your card internationally.

Travel Tip: Leave your travelers checks at home. They are not as widely accepted as cash or credit cards.

Travel Tip: Local banks in Costa Rica include the BCR (Bank of Costa Rica), BN (Banco Nacional) and BAC (a private bank).

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	The main color of the 1,000 colones banknote is red. On the reverse, you can see a dry forest with a Guanacaste tree, a white-tailed deer and a Costa Rican nightblooming cactus. The observe shows Braulio Carrillo Colina, who was the Head of State of Costa Rica between 1835-1837 and 1838-1842, as well as the 1840-1842 Costa Rican coat of arms.
	The main color of the 2,000 colones banknote is blue. On the reverse, you can see a coral reef, a bull shark, a red cushion sea star and a slimy sea plume. The observe shows Mauro Fernández Acuña, who was a lawyer and politician, as well as the Colegio Superior de Señoritas.
	The main color of the 5,000 colones banknote is yellow. On the reverse, you can see a mangrove swamp, a white-headed capuchin monkey, a mangrove crab and a red mangrove. The observe shows Alfredo González Flores, who served as President of Costa Rica from 1914 to 1917, as well as the Banco International de Costa Rica building in San José.
	The main color of the 10,000 colones banknote is green. On the reverse, you can see a rainforest, a brown-throated sloth, a cup fungi and a eriopsis orchid. The observe shows José Figueres Ferrer, who served as President of Costa Rica on three occasions, as well as the Abolition of the Army.
	The main color of the 20,000 colones banknote is orange. On the reverse, you can see Paramo, a volcano hummingbird, a sunflower and coffee plants. On the observe, you can see Carmen Lyra, the first prominent female Costa Rican writer, as well as an outline of Costa Rica and a rabbit stroking a wolf from Lyra’s “Cuentos De Mi Tía Panchita” (Tales of My Aunt Panchita).
	The main color of the 50,000 colones banknote is violet. On the reverse, you can see a cloud forest, a parasol mushroom, a bromelia flower and a morpho butterfly. It shows Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno, who served as president of Costa Rica three times and also served the Supreme Court in San José.