Easy Money!
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For many years, the largest currency denomination in Costa Rica was the 10,000 colon bank note (billete). At today�s�exchange�rate, that is a bit over $18.00. �Thus, carrying just the equivalent of $1,000 required you to carry FIFTY-FIVE �10,000 colon notes� quite �a wad.
That will soon change as the Costa Rica Central Bank, Banco Central de Costa Rica, does a complete do-over of the country�s national currency.
Changes to all bills (including the existing currency!) are drastic. Changes will include not only the standard anti-counterfeiting�techniques�standard on the Euro and the new US bank notes, but also two new denominations; the 20,000 and 50,000 colon bills. That is a Godsend! �Additionally, �the new bills will come in different widths� from 125 mm to 160 mm� truly�important�for the visually challenged.
If this topic�interests�you and you would like a peek at the new bills, read on!
First, the new bills are quite beautiful! All sport vivid new colors and designs, the requisite�famous�historical�person,�and now, some of the flora and fauna of Costa Rica.
Below are the new bills, front and back. �The front of the 2,000 colon note is under redesign and the one shown may have slight variations when actually produced.
All are 67mm high
Click�any image to enlarge.
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Front and back (below) of new 1,000 colon (un mil) note.
Width is 145 mm
Braulio Carrillo Colin
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\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\Costa Rica Beaches\threal\2000F-300x159.jpg "New 2,000 colon Costa Rica Bank Note")
Front and back (below) of new 2,000 colon (dos mil) note.
Width is 132 mm
Mauro Fern�ndez Acu�a
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\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\Costa Rica Beaches\threal\5000F-300x143.jpg "New 5,000 colon Costa Rica Bank Note")
Front and back (below) of new 5,000 colon (cinco mil) note.
Width is 139 mm
Alfredo Gonz�lez Flores
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\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\Costa Rica Beaches\threal\10000F-300x137.jpg "New 10,000 colon Costa Rica Bank Note")
Front and back (below) of new 10,000 colon (diez mil) note.
Width is 145 mm
Jos� Figueres Ferrer
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\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\Costa Rica Beaches\threal\20000F-300x129.jpg "New 20,000 colon Costa Rica Bank Note")
Front and back (below) of new 20,000 colon (veinte mil) note.
Width is 153 mm
Mar�a Isabel Carvajal �Carmen Lyra�
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\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\Costa Rica Beaches\threal\50000F-300x125.jpg "New 50,000 colon Costa Rica Bank Note")
Front and back (below) of new 50,000 colon (cincuenta mil) note.
Width is 160 mm
Ricardo Jim�nez Oreamuno
\CartyStudios Corporation\WebMagnates - Auto Blogging Software\data\Costa Rica Beaches\threal\50000R-300x125.jpg "New 50,000 colon Costa Rica Bank Note")
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Labels: Money
One Less Way to Get Taken in Costa Rica
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For those of you who have had the pleasure of being forced to use those orange airport (SJO only) taxis and thus overpaying for every trip, your time has arrived.
These taxis have had a monopoly at the San Jose airport for many years, and for many years, they have had free reign to overcharge visitors to Costa Rica. �I say visitors as most of us who live here know the rates are just over the top and we arrange other transportation. �The news today is that they will probably be gone in 90 days.
Over the years, I have given two hints to folks traveling here: First, NEVER use the currency exchange inside the San Jose airport and second, avoid using those orange taxis. The exchange rate offered inside the airport is just ridiculous and you will lose 15% to 20% over exchange rates offered elsewhere.
As for those airport taxis?
Taxis here are required to use the meter, called �la maria� �for all fares. �Most do, and if they do not, they will if you ask (and point to the meter).
The issue with the airport taxis is that for many years, they did not even have them installed. Now, most do� but they never use them even if you ask! Instead, you must go to the dispatcher�s window at international arrivals and pay the flat rate from the list of locations. Those rates are almost ALWAYS higher than the metered rates� often 2,000 � 4,000 colones more. �It is also not uncommon for the driver to add �other charges�.
The regulatory agency here has given the airport taxis ninety days to clear out. �Now, they may appeal this, but it appears this is not likely� so that market will now open up and hopefully be more fair to tourists.
As a side note, these taxis were not permitted to provide service to anyone other than at the airport. This meant that those taxis had to hightail it back to the airport for their next fare. �There are few of us who have traveled the Pan American highway (the�general canas or la pista) running between San Jose and the airport, who have not been passed by theses orange devils� often even forced to dangerously change lanes while an airport taxi flew by 30 � 50 KMH (20 � 40MPH) over the speed limit. �I will NOT miss that.
Filed under Costa Rica, Costa Rica Tourism, Taxis and Cabs, Travel, Travel to Costa Rica | Comments (15)
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Labels: Costa, Taken
One Way Airline Tickets to Costa Rica
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I was preparing another of those �My Readers Write� posts that I do every so often, and this topic came up� again. Maybe it is time to give it its own space as apparently it is not clear to some people.
The question is always something like this: �I have heard I cannot fly to Costs Rica using a one-way ticket.�
My answer is, as always, �No, you can NOT unless you are a citizen of Costa Rica or have in your possession a valid and current residency ID card (cedula) proving that you live here. If you try, you will almost assuredly not be permitted to board the plane. If you do make it on board, you may well get caught at THIS end by immigration. Airlines are required to verify that any person attempting to fly and using a one way ticket is, in fact, a legal resident of Costa Rica. Most airlines (read that as all) try to follow the procedure religiously as they are faced not only with large potential fines, but also for paying for the return flight for the passenger when he is refused entry in Costa Rica.
Now please, before you start composing your comment telling me that you, your friend, your friend�s girlfriend and her auntie, etc flew here on a one-way ticket with no issue, please remember my �job� on this blog and in the RCR Web Site is to deal with facts, not luck or urban legend.
Read on if you wish!
First? What is the big deal? �Why require a round trip ticket for non residents?
Simple! �Like most countries, including the USA, (and actually many grandparents entertaining their grandkids), Costa Rica wants you to come and visit� and then go home.
In my various companies and in the various work I do, I come in constant contact with folks wanting to move here, moving here, returning here, etc. as well as numerous tourists. �I see this refusal thing at least once per month! �Further, I see a lot of folks refused entry who do not have at least six months remaining on their passports before it expires.
The most recent example was last week when two friends (ages 75+), flying US Air, were refused passage at the Phoenix airport. They were required to buy return tickets (at the last minute attractive price of $1,100.00) in order to continue their flight. They were told they could easily get a refund in Costa Rica losing only $50.00 cancellation fee for each ticket. �As a side, that did not go well. �US Air apparently is only open in downtown San Jose one day per week, and cancellations cannot be made at the San Jose airport. �Oh well. �They actually knew this, but forgot in the rush of moving and packing and all the last minute crappola involved in relocating to Costa Rica.
Anyway, while you might get lucky and NOT get stopped, the inconvenience, possibility of missing your flight/connections, maybe not having big $$$ for that last minute return flight, not to mention trying to get your money back� well it is just not worth the risk.
Before you fly here:
1. Make SURE you have a least six months remaining before your passport expires. they may let it pass with only ninety days, but I do not recommend taking the chance.
and
2. If trying to use a one way ticket, remember that you must prove that you are a legal resident or citizen of Costa Rica. That does NOT mean that you have applied for or are in process of obtaining residency. �It means you have that ID card in your grubby little hand!
OK~ Now you have been warned. �Any questions?
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Labels: Airline, Costa, Tickets
