| One important thing a traveler must know is a | | | | • If you are an American travelling to Costa |
| place's monetary system and since Costa Rica is | | | | Rica, have your money exchanged in your own |
| a haven for tourists, it is no exception. Are you | | | | country because some money changing shops |
| planning on travelling to see the Costa Rican | | | | might give you a poor currency exchange and |
| beauty? | | | | charge a fee. For other travelers, Costa Rican |
| Then check out these useful money tips you will | | | | banks may not exchange your homeland |
| find helpful. | | | | currency unless you have US dollars. |
| • Colon is the country's official currency. | | | | • Not sure if you should be using cash? Then |
| Although many large establishments: hotels, gift | | | | it is wise to bring with you a Visa card and a |
| shops, restaurants accept the US dollars, a lot of | | | | MasterCard. Some establishments accept only one |
| local places and rural areas prefer the local | | | | and not the other. Contact your credit card |
| currency. It will be wise to keep some handy. | | | | provider and advice them of your travel plans to |
| • As with any other denominations in the | | | | prevent your account from getting frozen. Also, |
| world, the Costa Rican colon exchange rate | | | | keep your card provider's number in case the |
| fluctuates depending on market conditions. The | | | | card gets lost or stolen. |
| most recent value of one colon is equal to | | | | Remember, familiarity to the local currency allows |
| $0.001938 U.S. dollars. A traveler can easily | | | | a person travelling to Costa Rica or anywhere in |
| estimate a ratio of 500 Costa Rican colones to $1 | | | | the world a pleasant and hassle free visit. |
| U.S. dollar. | | | | |