Relax American Dollars?

[Emma Smith]

I use colon when i go to Relax.
Does any body know if they take american Dollar's?
What is the cost ?

 

[Tina M]

Relax American Dollars?

I have paid in dollars at Relax but that was 2 years ago. I don`t think you will have any problems but why not get some col at a ATM ? I don`t what the exchange rate they use but it should be about 500col = $1 US.

 

[Paco]

Relax American Dollars?

Correct me if I am wrong but it is a better deal to pay in colones everywhere for the most part? Is that right? I have a habit that when I hit the ground I head upstairs, pay my departure tax and exchange my money at the bank. From that point on I am burning through colones for everything because I figure I will lose changing them back, cannot use them until I return and they are just no good to me outside of Costa Rica. However, I did make the mistake of not going back since the Superbowl last year. Now I have a bunch of 2000 and 1000 bill colones which I think are monopoly money now. Anyway, has someone stoppoed and figured they best way to maximize your dollar?

 

[edrazeba]

Relax American Dollars?

They are not "Monolopy Money" - but you have to go to one place - Bank of Costa Rica, I think but someone on the ground like Irish Drifter (who is really up on this stuff ) can tell you for sure - but the old bills will not be accepted; however I think they can still be exchanged for new one's. You might PM him.

I do the same as you; just try not to exchange more then I might need and if I do run short will go to my hotel or one of the casino's to get more - I also find that dollars are widely accepted; if you get a poor rate of exchange - like at an MP for example - its really not a big deal unless they are totally screwing you (pun intended : : ) on the exchange - I've found many use 500 c to $1 which is pretty close to todays rate.

 

[Random Chick]

Relax American Dollars?

The rule of thumb is to pay in the currency that the price is quoted in. It's usually better to pay in colones.

Hotels usually quote rates in dollars, so it's better to pay in dollars. If paying in colones, they will usually convert the dollar amount into colones using an unfavorable (to you) rate (for example 525:1). So your $70 room now costs ¢36,750, which is really about $73. That's how they get you. They get you the same way when paying by credit card. They usually have to put the charge through in colones, so they convert the dollar total to colones using the same high rate (525 or 550... : )

There is one MP where it's BETTER to pay in dollars. New Fantasy. As of a few months ago, it was $50 US or ¢30,000CRC (which equals about $60) per hour.

 

[krizutch]

Relax American Dollars?

The rule of thumb is to pay in the currency that the price is quoted in. It's usually better to pay in colones.

Hotels usually quote rates in dollars, so it's better to pay in dollars. If paying in colones, they will usually convert the dollar amount into colones using an unfavorable (to you) rate (for example 525:1). So your $70 room now costs ¢36,750, which is really about $73. That's how they get you. They get you the same way when paying by credit card. They usually have to put the charge through in colones, so they convert the dollar total to colones using the same high rate (525 or 550... : )

There is one MP where it's BETTER to pay in dollars. New Fantasy. As of a few months ago, it was $50 US or ¢30,000CRC (which equals about $60) per hour.

that is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks O.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[slugger]

Relax American Dollars?

During my last trip to San Jose in November, I brought along a ton of U.S. $5's and $1's. I had no issue using them and most places were cool with negotiating a 500 colones to $1 USD rate. Personally, I prefer using the good ol' dollar bill in San Jose as it makes negotiating with taxis easier. Most places like HLH and Sportsmen's were very cool about accepting USD at the 500c to $1 rate. DO NOT expect the same from the Del Rey or Key Largo. I guess you are a captive audience when there at 2am.

As for Relax, I went in, picked a sweet little thang and she told me it was like 17,000 or 18,000 colones for the hour. I gave her $35 USD for the hour and she asked for a dollar more so I was like "OK!"...and the rest is a fond memory.

 

[Andreyx]

Relax American Dollars?

I've only been to Relax a couple of times, but it was 18K colones for the hour the last time I was there in August. I find it easy to just get colones from the Scotiabank ATM in Mas x Menos for local purchases. Almost everyone will take US currency instead, but like others have said, you may loose out on the exchange. Especially in the bars that take your US twenties and then give you your change in colones.

 

[hrpyatrdv]

Relax American Dollars?

The SL and HLH are gringo places and they quote their prices in dollars, so as Orange explainef, it's okay to use dollars there. At Relax and all the other MP's which have prices in colones, pay in colones. Same goes with bars and restaurants, that's how I've always done it.

 

[xveymuamilvisdemj]

Relax American Dollars?

XPat

We keep the exchange rate neutral here at HLH so it does not matter, most places colonesis better.

 

[Wisen Smart]

Relax American Dollars?

To all those happy to get 500 colones per dollar, I will volunteer to be your money changer for all transactions.

 

[theymademedoit]

Relax American Dollars?

To all those happy to get 500 colones per dollar, I will volunteer to be your money changer for all transactions.

The bank rate is 506.50... I don't think anybody is getting screwed by taking 500. :

 

[JackD]

Relax American Dollars?

XPat

We keep the exchange rate neutral here at HLH so it does not matter, most places colonesis better.

That is good to know. It will likely change my spending habits. If I am running low on colones then you will find me at HLH for lunch :

 

[Scroflidir]

Relax American Dollars?

During my last trip to San Jose in November, I brought along a ton of U.S. $5's and $1's. I had no issue using them and most places were cool with negotiating a 500 colones to $1 USD rate. Personally, I prefer using the good ol' dollar bill in San Jose as it makes negotiating with taxis easier. Most places like HLH and Sportsmen's were very cool about accepting USD at the 500c to $1 rate. DO NOT expect the same from the Del Rey or Key Largo. I guess you are a captive audience when there at 2am.

As for Relax, I went in, picked a sweet little thang and she told me it was like 17,000 or 18,000 colones for the hour. I gave her $35 USD for the hour and she asked for a dollar more so I was like "OK!"...and the rest is a fond memory.

Negotiate with taxis? They use a meter or you get out, there is no negotiating with them.

 

[Acquiescent]

Relax American Dollars?

During my last trip to San Jose in November, I brought along a ton of U.S. $5's and $1's. I had no issue using them and most places were cool with negotiating a 500 colones to $1 USD rate. Personally, I prefer using the good ol' dollar bill in San Jose as it makes negotiating with taxis easier. Most places like HLH and Sportsmen's were very cool about accepting USD at the 500c to $1 rate. DO NOT expect the same from the Del Rey or Key Largo. I guess you are a captive audience when there at 2am.

As for Relax, I went in, picked a sweet little thang and she told me it was like 17,000 or 18,000 colones for the hour. I gave her $35 USD for the hour and she asked for a dollar more so I was like "OK!"...and the rest is a fond memory.

Negotiate with taxis? They use a meter or you get out, there is no negotiating with them.

Actually, I find it worthwhile to bargain with cabs on occasion. For example, my favorita lives about 9k colones cab ride from the hotel, by the meter, but a lot of times I'll offer a 'tucan' (5k) when I go to send her home and they'll take it more often then not.

If i'm running around the gulch, it's either metered or a straight up rojo for most places in the area bordered by th Sl, HDR, Hospital Calderon, etc. Ends up being a rojo anyhow because I hate taking those huge coins, lol