Colones and US dollars both circulate. Pay small things in colones because dollar change is given at a rounded-down rate, and expect a 10% service charge already on the restaurant bill.
- Pay small things in colones. When a business takes dollars it gives change in colones at a rounded-down rate, which costs you real money several times a day.
- Pay in dollars for the big things that were quoted in dollars anyway - tours, hotels, shuttles, car hire - and bring clean notes, because torn bills are refused.
- Carry a Visa. It works at about 90% of card-accepting businesses against 70% for Mastercard, and this is the one country where the network genuinely matters.
- Banco de Costa Rica machines charge nothing at their end; others take roughly 2,000 to 3,000 colones a withdrawal. Always decline the machine's own currency conversion.
- Restaurants add 13% VAT and a 10% service charge, so the bill is 23% above the menu - and that 10% is the tip, with nothing further expected.
Two currencies at once
- The colon (CRC) is the currency, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere tourists go.
- The rate has moved a long way: it is nearer 450 colones to the dollar in August 2026, having sat above 500 for years. Use the converter on this page rather than a remembered figure - the colon has strengthened and a lot of published advice is priced on the old rate.
- Pay in colones for anything small. When a business takes dollars it gives change in colones at a rounded-down rate, and on a USD 6 purchase that costs you real money several times a day.
- Pay in dollars for the big things where the price was quoted in dollars anyway: tours, hotels, shuttles, car hire.
- Bring clean, undamaged notes if you bring dollars. Torn or written-on bills are refused.
- Nobody wants USD 100 notes in a small shop.
Cards and ATMs
- Visa works at about 90% of card-accepting businesses, Mastercard at around 70%, and Amex only at upmarket hotels and some tour operators.
- Carry a Visa. This is the one country where the network genuinely matters.
- ATMs dispense both colones and dollars and let you choose.
- Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) machines charge nothing at their end, which makes them the best choice. Others charge roughly 2,000 to 3,000 colones a withdrawal.
- Decline the machine's own currency conversion, always.
- Small towns, beach sodas and market stalls are cash only. Take enough out before you leave a town with a bank.
The bill
- Restaurants add 13% VAT and a 10% service charge to the printed prices, so the bill is 23% above the menu.
- The 10% is the tip. No further tipping is expected, and adding more is generous rather than customary.
- Tip guides USD 10 to USD 20 per person per day for a good tour, and drivers a few dollars.
- Hotel housekeeping: USD 1 to USD 2 a night, in cash.
Costs
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Casado (the national set lunch) at a soda | USD 6 to USD 9 |
| Restaurant main course in a tourist town | USD 15 to USD 25 |
| Imperial beer at a bar | USD 3 to USD 4 |
| National park entry | USD 15 to USD 20 |
| Shared shuttle, San Jose to the coast | USD 50 to USD 90 |
- Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America and prices in the beach towns are close to North American.
- Eating at sodas rather than restaurants halves your food budget and the food is better.
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