\n American Express cards are more popular in Costa Rica than in other countries, but Visa and Mastercard are still the most widely accepted. If you decide to make a cash withdrawal with your Amex card, look for Banco BAC San Jose ATMs.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Chip-and-PIN credit cards<\/h3>
Chip-and-PIN credit cards aren\u2019t common in Costa Rica, but you can still freely pay with your chip-and-PIN card wherever cards are accepted.<\/p>
To avoid unpleasant situations when withdrawing money or checking out, make sure your card\u2019s logo matches one of the logos on the ATM or POS terminal.<\/p>
Is it safe to use my credit card in Costa Rica?<\/h3>
Yes, it\u2019s generally safe to use your credit card in Costa Rica. You can always practice good safety habits to better protect your finances, though. Consider these precautions:<\/p>
- Use an ATM within a bank.<\/b> In case the ATM holds your card for some reason, you\u2019ll be able to get it back with ease. Also, ATMs that are within a bank are much less likely to be tampered with.<\/li>
- Take two credit cards.<\/b> If something happens to your primary card, you\u2019ll have a backup in your hotel room safe.<\/li>
- Keep your card in sight.<\/b> Costa Rica isn\u2019t known to have a big card cloning issue but just in case, always keep an eye on your card.<\/li><\/ul>
Do taxis in Costa Rica accept credit cards?<\/h4>
No, taxis in Costa Rica don\u2019t accept credit cards. But you can request Uber rides if you need to pay with your credit card. Keep in mind that while Uber is cheaper in Costa Rica, it\u2019s also a grey area \u2013 not entirely legal, but not illegal either.<\/p><\/div><\/article>
How to prepare before traveling to Costa Rica<\/h3>- Get a credit card without foreign transaction fees.<\/b> Travel cards usually come with no foreign transaction fees.<\/li>
- Opt for a Mastercard or Visa. <\/b>They\u2019re more universally accepted, though American Express is also popular in Costa Rica.<\/li>
- Get a back-up card.<\/b> This is particularly useful if something happens to your primary card. With a back-up card, you\u2019ll never be caught without money.<\/li>
- Get some cash.<\/b> If you\u2019re unable to pay by card, cash is fail-safe option.<\/li>
- Inform your bank you\u2019re travelling to Costa Rica.<\/b> This way, you\u2019ll avoid the bank blocking your card.<\/li>
- Get your bank\u2019s phone number.<\/b> In case you lose your card or have other issues, you can quickly call your bank and sort it out.<\/li><\/ol>
Bottom line<\/h3>
When you travel to Costa Rica, you shouldn\u2019t have a problem using your credit card in large cities. But if you go to the countryside, you\u2019ll want to have some cash on hand. Be careful to not incur fees you can otherwise avoid. With a decent travel credit card, you can avoid a poor exchange rate or foreign transaction fees by simply declining the DCC when offered.<\/p>
However, some merchants may add additional fees to credit card transactions. Make sure you ask about them before you make a payment to avoid unnecessary charges.<\/p>
Compare cards with fee-free currency conversion in Costa Rica<\/h3>Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first<\/div>
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