Currency & Payment

Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC, symbol ₡), divided into 100 céntimos. The US dollar (USD) is also widely accepted, especially for tours, hotels and larger purchases, though change is often given in colones. Knowing the day’s exchange rate helps you avoid poor conversions when paying in dollars.

You can exchange money at banks, hotels and airport bureaus, but rates and fees vary. Because US dollars are widely accepted, many visitors simply bring dollars and pay directly or withdraw colones from ATMs. Banks may offer better rates than airport counters. Carry small, clean dollar notes, as worn or torn bills are sometimes refused.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities, tourist areas, hotels and larger restaurants and shops. Contactless payment is common in urban spots. However, small businesses, rural areas, markets and some transport may be cash-only, so carry some colones or dollars as a backup. Tell your bank you are travelling to avoid card blocks.

ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are plentiful in cities and towns, and many dispense both colones and US dollars. Use machines attached to banks in daylight for safety. Watch out for foreign-card fees and local ATM charges, and always decline home-currency conversion (DCC) to get a better rate. Rural areas may have few or no ATMs, so withdraw before heading off the beaten track.

Costa Rica has a popular instant transfer system called SINPE Móvil, used to send money by phone number, but it is generally tied to local bank accounts and mainly used by residents. Visitors usually rely on cards, including contactless and phone wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay where terminals support them. For most travellers, a card plus some cash covers everything.

In restaurants a 10% service charge is usually already included in the bill, so extra tipping is not obligatory, though you may add a little more for great service. For guides, drivers and hotel staff, a small tip is appreciated and customary, especially on tours. Tipping is more of a courtesy than a strict rule, and small amounts in colones or dollars are fine.

Costa Rica is relatively expensive by Central American standards, and prices in popular tourist areas can be high. Local eateries known as sodas offer affordable meals, while imported goods, guided tours and beachfront resorts cost more. Eating local, using public buses and booking ahead help control your budget, especially in peak season.

Costa Rica applies a value added tax (IVA) of 13% on most goods and services, and it is usually already included in displayed prices. Unlike some countries, there is no broad, easy tourist VAT-refund scheme for ordinary shopping, so do not count on reclaiming the tax. Ask for a receipt (factura) and keep it for your records.