Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colón (CRC) — a mix of cash and card.
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Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colón (CRC).
In Costa Rica, a mix of cash and card. US dollars and cards are widely accepted in tourist areas, but smaller sodas (local eateries) and rural areas expect colones in cash.
Exchange rates at airport kiosks are usually the worst available — a local ATM after you land almost always gets you a better rate, and a small amount of cash exchanged in advance is only worth it for late-night arrivals.
Always choose the local currency when a card terminal or ATM in Costa Rica asks — "dynamic currency conversion" into your home currency almost always carries a worse exchange rate.
Banks and airport kiosks quietly add 3–7% to every exchange through worse rates and fees. A Wise account converts your money at the real mid-market rate, holds 40+ currencies, and comes with a card that works at ATMs and terminals in Costa Rica like a local one — usually the cheapest way for travelers to spend abroad.
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