Costa Rica Exchange Rate and Credit Cards - In Costa Rica one can exchange money through banks or the hotels. The exchange rate in Costa Rican hotels is usually lower than those offered by the banks.
The disadvantage regarding banks is that they take a much longer time due to various official procedures that they have to follow. Apart from the banks and hotels are the several establishments offering to change money at the international airport and around the downtown area of San Jose. But one must be very careful in availing their services as most of these are illegal establishments.

The bills of the currency in Costa Rica (colon) are available in the following denominations: ten thousand, five thousand, two thousand, one thousand, five hundred, one hundred, and fifty. The coins are valued at one hundred, twenty, ten, five, two and one. There are also gold coins of the given denominations which were produced by the central bank of Costa Rica in circulation but being smaller in size they are not accepted by many machines such as the public telephones.

Credit Cards

Most of the establishments, from car rentals to hotels and restaurants and travel agencies accept major international credit cards. In case of problems one can approach the card companies.

American Express

There is one central office apart from the various regional offices scattered all over the country. This central office handles most of the business. It also employs English speaking staff. This branch deals with card replacements. Various customer and establishment services are also offered.

Visa - Mastercard

The office does help you about card replacing problems but it is a long drawn out process because the Costa Rican authorities have to contact the officials from the United States of America. Another major disadvantage is that credit card payments are non-payable unless the credit card has been issued through a local bank.

You can check the current Costa Rica exchange rate here.