Money matters

Currency & Payments
The Colón is the official currency, and it is traded on a daily basis. The rate of exchange varies slightly depending on whether you are buying or selling US dollars.

If you want to check today’s exchange rate, check the website www.bccr.fi.cr for updated information. This website is mostly in Spanish, but the exchange rate is labeled in English and Spanish. Please note that "Buying/Compra" is the exchange paid to you when you exchange US dollars for Costa Rican Colones, and "Selling/Venta" is the amount you would pay for US dollars.
Visitors are advised to bring US dollars or travelers checks; major credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants, bars, hotels, car rental companies, etc.

Taxes & tipping
By law, all hotels are required to add 13% sales tax and 3.39% tourism tax to all room charges. In restaurants, a 10% gratuity and a 13% sales tax are added to the check. If exceptional service is provided, we encourage tipping additionally.
Airport tax, payable at the airport upon departure, is currently US$26 per person.
Bellboys at airports and hotels are usually tipped US$1 per piece. Tour guides and bus drivers average US$3 - $4 per person per day.

Banking
Banking services are available at state, private, and international banks. Most banks open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 15:00 hours and do not close for lunch.
Services include credit card, computerized banking, automatic teller machine, and other typical banking transactions.
The Central Bank of Costa Rica (Banco Central de Costa Rica) is the leading banking institution in charge of issuing all currency and regulating exchange rates.

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