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 travelling through the country. You can find most ATMs inside banks during normal business hours.
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.
Many establishments, such as restaurants, hotels, bars and shops, in San José and 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, for example, don’t charge foreign transaction 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:
There are 3 potential credit card fees you can incur with your card when travelling in Costa Rica:
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.
Tips:
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.
Cash is the most accepted payment method in Costa Rica, especially if you’re travelling in more rural areas where cards are not an option. 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.
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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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.
Petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, is prevalent in Costa 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.
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:
You can freely use plastic in Costa Rica. Save money by finding a card without foreign transaction fees, and ask merchants about hidden fees.
If you need cash, you can either exchange GBP pounds or make an ATM cash withdrawal. Debit cards are typically the best option.
To find out more about paying for your travel abroad, check out our travel money guide.
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