Planning a trip to Costa Rica quickly raises a money question: do you need Costa Rican colones (CRC) or US dollars? The answer lies in the right balance of both, to be arranged before you leave.
The Costa Rican colón, the official currency
Costa Rica uses the colón (ISO code CRC), whose name pays tribute to Christopher Columbus. The banknotes, which are particularly colorful, range from 1,000 to 50,000 colones and depict the country's wildlife and ecosystems, a source of national pride for a destination renowned for its nature parks. The colón moves within an exchange-rate regime managed by the central bank, so the rate varies from day to day. That is why we only provide indicative counter rates, updated daily, and never figures fixed in advance.
In everyday life, the colón remains king for small amounts: the local market (the famous feria), sodas (small family-run restaurants), buses, taxis, bakeries and remote villages. Having colones on hand avoids unfavorable rounding and misunderstandings.
The US dollar, very widely accepted
What sets Costa Rica apart is the widespread use of the US dollar (USD). Hotels, tour operators, car rentals, national parks, tourist shops and many restaurants display and accept prices in dollars. This dual circulation is explained by the weight of tourism and trade with the United States.
Be aware, however, of a few practical rules. You will often be given change in colones, sometimes at an unfavorable conversion rate: paying a small amount with a large USD bill can therefore be costly in implicit exchange terms. Businesses also frequently refuse dollar bills that are damaged, marked or too old. Favor small-denomination bills in good condition (1, 5, 10 and 20 USD), ideal for tips and everyday purchases.
The right colón / dollar mix for your trip
There is no single allocation, but a simple logic: colones for the field, dollars for tourist comfort. In practice, plan to have colones for everything that is local and informal (transport, modest meals, markets, small purchases), and keep dollars for services clearly geared toward travelers.
- Backpacking trip / local immersion: mostly colones, topped up with a few dollars.
- Organized tour, hotels and excursions: more dollars, plus a reserve of colones for the unexpected.
- Tips: greatly appreciated, in colones or small dollar bills.
As for ATMs (cajeros), they are plentiful in cities and near tourist sites, but rarer in rural areas and the Nicoya or Osa peninsulas. Many dispense either colones or dollars, often with fees and a limit. Setting off with a reserve of cash limits your dependence on machines and network outages.
Why exchange your euros in Paris before you leave
Paris Change (Paris Exchange entity), a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), lets you prepare your budget with peace of mind, with no commission and with more than 53 currencies available. Our single shop is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris (Saint-Michel metro line 4, RER B and C), open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 10am-7:30pm).
Since the colón is one of the less common currencies, we strongly recommend that you reserve your banknotes online in advance to guarantee their availability at the counter on the day you pick them up. The dollar, on the other hand, is more readily available. You can check our available currencies to organize your colón/dollar mix before takeoff. Also keep the customs rule in mind: above €10,000 in cash entering or leaving the European Union, a declaration is mandatory.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to take colones or dollars?
Both. Dollars cover most tourist services, but colones remain essential for local spending and avoid change being given back at an unfavorable rate.
Can I pay in euros everywhere in Costa Rica?
No. The euro is very rarely accepted there and hard to exchange on site. It is better to convert your euros into colones and/or dollars before you leave.
Is the colón easy to obtain in Paris?
It is a less common currency: booking online in advance is advised to guarantee the availability of the banknotes when you pick them up in store.
Prepare for your trip with peace of mind: reserve your colones and dollars online, then pick them up commission-free at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 7 days a week. Check our available currencies right now.
