Does Costa Rica take US dollars? The Costa Rica Colon is preferred, but US dollars are widely accepted. We recommend traveling with small denominations of US dollars for tipping purposes. Generally, bills larger than $20 are not accepted.
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What is the best currency to take to Costa Rica? We suggest you take dollars, but if you can grab some colones at your bank, it will make the beginning of your trip much more manageable.
Nearly everybody accepts the U.S. dollar, so if you have dollars, you do not need to convert it. You will usually receive change in local Costa Rica colones. The exchange rate hovers between 500 and 550 colones to $1 USD. You can exchange money at banks or at the airport.
Credit or debit cards are the best way to pay for things in Costa Rica. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, but American Express and Discover are less common. Some places may also accept payment via digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
It's completely safe to drink the tap water over the majority of the country. That includes your luxury vacation rentals in Guanacaste! Costa Rica is quite notable in Latin America as 92.5% of the population has access to drinking water.
A week of vacation in Costa Rica costs between $850 and $1,450 for an average traveler in mid-priced hotels, lodges or rental houses and doing standard tours (assuming double occupancy). Beachfront accommodations and high dollar activities like deep sea fishing will quickly push the budget over $2,500.
Ticos very rarely tip when they go out to dinner, though this may seem odd to North Americans. Since tipping isn't something Costa Ricans are used to, most workers in the service industry aren't going to be offended if you don't leave a tip. However, it doesn't mean they won't appreciate the extra money.
Living in Costa Rica is more affordable than the U.S., but it's not rock-bottom budget prices either. There's a luxury tax for high-end retirees and those buying very expensive property, but for many you're looking for a more budget lifestyle, and that is on offer here.
Be very cautious when you go into any body of water in the country as tides and rip currents can be strong. Also, as much of the country is considered the rainforest, the weather can change dramatically on very short notice.
Costa Rica has an open container law designed to keep public spaces clean and safe for everyone. In Jaco Beach, it is technically prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages on public roads or beaches. If you're caught violating these laws, you could face hefty fines or even arrest by local authorities.
U.S. Dollars are Accepted in Costa RicaThe taxis out in front of the airport, the restaurants and hotels all accept dollars. Bring $20 bills or smaller (larger denominations are harder to spend because there problems with counterfeit 50s and 100s) and make sure they are in good condition with no tears.