You might be sunbathing on Costa Rica’s coast, trekking through lush forests or dining in a Caribbean cafè, but you’ll need a mix of cash and card when you’re traveling through the country. For your card of choice, carry a travel credit card to avoid foreign transaction fees. For cash, you’ll need the Costa Rican colón with you, though you can pay with US dollars in some parts of San José and tourist hotspots. You can find most ATMs inside banks during normal business hours.
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Travel card, debit card or credit card?
Visa and Mastercard are most widely used in Costa Rica, with American Express cards coming in third. You may find ATMs and places that accept Discover cards, though Discover is overall rarely accepted.
Credit cards without foreign transaction fees are a great option for direct purchases, while debit cards are generally good for ATM cash withdrawals. The Q Costa Rica, a Latin America news portal, reported that some Costa Rican merchants might add an illegal surcharge of up to 8% on credit card purchases. Make sure you ask merchants about fees before using your card.
These are your options for spending money in Costa Rica
Many establishments, such as restaurants, hotels, bars and shops, in San José and the other large cities take credit cards. But be sure to use a card without foreign transaction fees and ask about hidden fees. Travel credit cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, for example, don’t charge foreign transaction fees (Terms apply, see rates & fees), and many offer travel insurance, purchase protection or rental car insurance as part of their many benefits.
If you frequently travel to Costa Rica, consider an airline cobranded credit card to save money on flights, in-flight purchases, checked bags or lounge access.
Tips:
Limit using credit cards to make ATM cash withdrawals to avoid cash advance fees and APR from the moment you make the transaction.
Don’t pay in US dollars. Paying in local currency saves you a currency conversion fee.
Notify your bank you’re traveling to Costa Rica.
Pros
Credit line access
Rewards
May come with travel insurance and coverage
May come with concierge service
Cons
Cash advance fees on ATMs
Cash advance APR on ATMs
Potential hidden fees of up to 8% by some merchants
Which credit card issuers are accepted in Costa Rica?
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.
As for Discover cards, you can pay wherever you see the Discover or Diners Club International logos. For cash withdrawals, look for Credomatic ATMs.
Merchant acceptance
ATM acceptance
Visa
High
High
Mastercard
High
High
American Express
High
High
Discover
Medium
Low
Potential credit card fees in Costa Rica
There are three potential credit card fees you can incur with your card when traveling in Costa Rica:
Foreign transaction fees.You could get saddled with paying a fee of up to 3% of the transaction for each purchase made, depending on your card. To put this into perspective, you’ll pay a fee of up to $60 if you spend $2,000 with your card.
Currency conversion fees.When you use an ATM or pay a merchant, you may be offered the option to pay in US dollars instead of the local currency. This is called a dynamic currency conversion (DCC), which usually has a poor exchange rate and higher fees.
Hidden fees.Watch out for hidden charges at hostels and hotels when paying with your card. Some of them may add up to an 8% fee to your bill.
Compare travel credit cards
Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.
Debit cards work best for cash withdrawals. Most debit cards come with foreign transaction fees of up to 3% of each transaction. However, there are debit cards without foreign transaction fees or ATM withdrawal fees, such as the
Betterment Checking debit card which reimburses these fees.
Tips:
Excellent exchange rates with debit cards for ATM cash withdrawals.
Notify your bank you’re traveling to Costa Rica.
Pros
No cash advance fee
No cash advance APR
No overdraft
Cons
Weak or no rewards
No access to a credit line
Potential foreign transaction fees up to 3%.
Potential hidden fees of up to 8% by some merchants
If you want to take a debit card that’s not linked to your bank account, a prepaid travel card could be an alternative. The travel card comes with more fees. but could be worth it for extra security if your card is lost or stolen.
Tip: Due to the high fees, consider making ATM cash withdrawals as a last resort.
Pros
Can load multiple currencies
No cash advance APR
No links to your bank account
Cons
Many fees, including currency conversion fees
May take time to load
No rewards
Potential hidden fees of up to 8% by some merchants
Cash is the most accepted payment method in Costa Rica. Especially if you’re traveling in more rural areas where cards are not an option. The US dollars are also accepted in the capital but exchanging them for Costa Rican colones is best.
Traveler’s checks aren’t widely accepted in Costa Rica, but you could exchange them in some of the main banks. This can be an option if you don’t want to carry a lot of cash. However, the other money options are generally cheaper and without the hassle.
Tip: You may want to consider other money options in Costa Rica.
Where can I get the best exchange rate for Costa Rican colones?
You’ll find the best exchange rate for Costa Rican colones at your hotel or any bank. You can also easily withdraw colones from ATMs with your debit card and get a strong conversion rate. You’ll find the worst exchange rates at airports, so try to stay away from those.
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The main banks in Costa Rica are:
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Banco de Costa Rica (BCR)
Citibank Costa Rica
Banco Promerica – Costa Rica
Banco BAC San Jose
Banco Bct
Banco Improsa
Banco Davivienda (Costa Rica)
Banco General (Costa Rica)
Scotiabank de Costa Rica
Find ATMs in Costa Rica
You’ll find a number of ATMs inside major banks in Costa Rica, available during normal business hours for added security. Most ATMs charge hefty operator fees, but you can avoid these by going with a debit card that waives or reimburses foreign currency exchange and ATM fees, such as the Betterment Checking debit card.
Using money transfers to safely travel with cash
WorldRemit offers the option to send money to your destination before you depart. Once you arrive in Costa Rica, you can get your money from a local branch.
To make the transfer, you need Costa Rican phone number and an address. If you don’t have them, WorldRemit recommends using the address and number of the place where you’ll stay in. This is only in case the local agent needs to contact you.
Otherwise, you can withdraw your money with your passport as identification.
Keep your travel money safe in Costa Rica
Petty crime, such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing, is prevalent in Cost Rica. But tourists should exercise additional precautions for incidents of violent crime, particularly in areas frequented by tourists.
Always be aware of your surroundings, and don’t “advertise” your wealth by wearing flashy jewelry and never physically resist a robbery attempt. Keep your wallet in your pocket, and consider using a money belt to keep your money out of arm’s reach.
Is it safe to use my credit card in Costa Rica?
Yes, it’s generally safe to use your credit card in Costa Rica. Always practice good safety habits to better protect your finances, though. Try to:
Use an ATM within a bank.In case the ATM holds your card for some reason, you’ll be able to get it back with ease. Also, ATMs that are within a bank are much less likely to be tampered with.
Take two credit cards.If something happens to your primary card, you’ll have a backup in your hotel room safe.
Keep your card in sight.Costa Rica isn’t known to have a big card cloning issue — but just in case, always keep an eye on your card.
Bottom line
You can freely use plastic in Costa Rica. Save money by finding a card without foreign transaction fees, and ask merchants for hidden fees.
If you need cash, you can either exchange US dollars or make an ATM cash withdrawal. Debit cards are typically the best option as they don’t incur cash advance APR or cash advance fees.
Kliment Dukovski is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in investments and cryptocurrency. He's written more than 700 articles to help readers compare the best trading platforms, understand complex investment terms and find the best credit cards for their needs. His expert commentary has been featured in such digital publications as Fox Business, MSN Money and MediaFeed. He’s also well-versed in money transfers, home loans and more — breaking down these topics into simple concepts anyone can understand. In another life, Kliment ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
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