Most common payment methods in Costa Rica

@Cheryl

In C.R., everyone seems to have credit cards or debit cards and many use GOOGLE PAY or APPLE WALLET.

Unfortuntely, I am blocked from using those features in C.R.

I pay my rent in USD, and that's it for the Yankee dollar.

Virtually every shop accepts AMEX, VISA, or MASTERCARD.

I use them almost exclusively, for frequent flyer miles/rewards points.

ATMS charge international currency convesion fees.

Some cap daily withdrawals at $400.00, $600.00, or $1,200.00 USD.

Some banks and credit unions limit the amount of DAILY ATM withdrawals (a friend's is capped at $400.00 USD daily, a credit union in the Upper Midwest).

"Red TAXIs" in my province are supposed to accept VISA or MASTERCARD. Few do.

I use UBER, walk, or take the bus (free to seniors with a CEDULA, or permanent resident card).

UBER is dirt cheap compared to the USA.

I pay with credit card in USD and tip in COLONES (Tico currency, named after Christopher Columbus, the local "peso").

I get frequent flyer miles.

Like China, C.R. is al almost exclusively NON-TIPPING society.

Ticos love gringos who tip and will generally offer much better service at the airports or in parking lots if you creas the palm with folding money.

TIPPING FOR UBER is done on-line, ordinarily, and in COLONES, NOT in USD.

Every supermarket, "Chinese market" (like a dollar store), and "SODA" (a cross between a take out stand and diner) all accept AMEX, VISA, and MASTERCARD.

I do not like to carry cash, except for the collection basket in my local parish church, and mostly use it for tips for the cleaning lady and the like.

If using an ATM, try to get one with an inside booth.

DO NOT FLASH MONEY.

Put it in your wallet right away.

CONSIDER getting CARGO PANTS with ZIPPERS.

Some have VELCRO, in addition, as a security device.

Some people (local TICOS) have a local SIMM device for paying in a TAXI.

I have no interest in this option.

Oddly, unlike the USA, where many restaurants and vendors charge MORE for credit cards, many doctors offices utilizing services like MEDISMART (a pay-to-use private medical services company... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) charge LESS for those using credit cards than by paying cash ("effectivo:).

I prefer to use the CHIP and TAP when paying, safer and less likely to be hacked than seiping the card.

I do not use QR codes, APPLE PAY or GOOGLE WALLET, or other contactless payment methods.

Putting virtually everything on a credit card (other than things like haircuts) accumulates rewards points and provides safeguards against fraud.

HIGHLY recommended.

Some buses now take credit card payment (VISA and MASTERCARD only... not AMEX or Discover)

The LESS cash I carry, the happier I am, although occasionally I do some out for charity payments for refugees stuck in C.R. between the US border and Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and other points south.

Crimes of opportunity are common in beach resort communities and big cities, so have your "SPIDEY" senses tingling and "keep your head on a swivel."

Use common sense, just as you would in any big North American or European city.

ALSO, whenever possible, TAP the CHIP on your credit card. Safer and almost impossible to HACK. Avoid inserting it into a payment card reading machine.