Mexico & Central America

Money, cards and tipping in Costa Rica

Capital: San JoseSpanish, EnglishUpdated October 2026

CRCColon

Money in Costa Rica

Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, even many small sodas. Dollars are widely accepted; carry colones for buses, markets and small shops. US$1 ≈ ₡456.71 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Restaurants add a 10% service charge by law, so extra tips are optional. Tip guides and drivers on tours.
ATMs: ATMs dispense colones or US dollars; foreign cards need a four-digit PIN. Use machines inside banks or malls.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever contactless is accepted. SINPE Móvil transfers need a Costa Rican bank account.
Price level: about 59% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
La Fortuna	Cards almost everywhere	Cards are accepted in tour offices, hotels and most restaurants. Carry colones for buses, small sodas and some local vendors.
San José	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere. Carry colones for buses, the central market, street vendors and small sodas.
Tamarindo	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless are common in restaurants, supermarkets and surf schools. Carry colones for taxis, small sodas and beach vendors.
Manuel Antonio	Cards almost everywhere	Cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. Carry colones for buses, markets and small stalls.
Santa Teresa	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in most cafés, hotels and shops, but small stands, taxis and some ATMs need cash. Withdraw colones in advance.
Monteverde	Cards almost everywhere	Cards are widely accepted in tour offices and hotels. Carry colones for buses, bakeries and small sodas.
Puerto Viejo	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants, but many small spots, bike rentals and street vendors need cash. ATMs run out at busy times.
Nosara	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in cafés, studios and shops, but taxis, small stands and ATM access are limited. Bring colones from a larger town.
Tortuguero	Mostly cash	Small shops, boats and sodas want colones; lodges and tour offices take cards. The village has one BCR ATM that is often out of cash, so bring colones.
Jacó	Cards almost everywhere	Cards are widely accepted in restaurants, shops and hotels. Carry colones for buses, taxis and small sodas.
Uvita	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in supermarkets and many restaurants, but small cafés, buses and taxis need cash. ATMs are in Uvita town.
Playas del Coco	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work in most restaurants, dive shops and supermarkets; keep colones for buses, small sodas and some beach bars.
Sámara	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work in most shops, restaurants and tour offices; carry colones for buses, markets and small beach vendors.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Costa Rica?

Restaurants add a 10% service charge by law, so extra tips are optional. Tip guides and drivers on tours.

Is Costa Rica cashless?

Cards almost everywhere. Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, even many small sodas. Dollars are widely accepted; carry colones for buses, markets and small shops.

What currency does Costa Rica use?

The Colon (CRC). US$1 ≈ ₡456.71 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.