ATM Fees in Costa Rica
Costa Rican Colón (CRC) • Updated April 2026
Costa Rica has good card acceptance in tourist areas. US Dollars are widely accepted. ATMs are common but charge fees. Cash needed for smaller establishments and rural areas.
Tips for Costa Rica
- • US Dollars widely accepted - often preferred
- • ATM fees typically $3-5 per withdrawal
- • Many prices quoted in USD, especially in tourist areas
- • Tipping 10% is customary at restaurants
- • Some ATMs offer USD or Colones - choose Colones for better rates
Airport tips
- • Juan Santamaría Airport has multiple ATMs
- • Airport exchange rates are reasonable
- • Many services accept USD
Don't forget your home bank fees
The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.
Estimated daily expenses
How much cash you might need per day in Costa Rica, per person.
Backpacker
Hostels, street food, public transport
CRC/day
≈ $51.99-99.64 USD
Mid-range
Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport
CRC/day
≈ $206-390 USD
Luxury
Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport
CRC/day
≈ $563-1,040 USD
Cash vs card acceptance
Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Costa Rica.
Credit card acceptance
Good in Tourist AreasCards accepted in tourist areas. USD cash widely accepted. Colones needed for local shops.
You'll need cash for
- • Local sodas (restaurants)
- • Buses
- • Small shops
- • Markets
- • Tips
Cards usually accepted
- • Hotels and eco-lodges
- • Tourist restaurants
- • Tour operators
- • Car rentals
- • Supermarkets
💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards
These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank★ | $0 | 0% | Visa/MC rate | 0 USD | 80 | Free for Global ATM Alliance members |
| Banco Nacional | 1,500-2,000 CRC | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~3.00 USD | 170 | State bank, good coverage |
| BAC Credomatic | 1,500-2,500 CRC | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~3.00 USD | 100 | Accepts most foreign cards |
📍 Most widely available ATMs
Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banco Nacional | 1,500-2,000 CRC | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~3.00 USD | 170 | Best nationwide coverage |
| Banco de Costa Rica | 1,500-2,000 CRC | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~3.00 USD | 150 | State bank |
| BAC Credomatic | 1,500-2,500 CRC | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~3.00 USD | 100 | Tourist areas |
| Scotiabank★ | $0 | 0% | Visa/MC rate | 0 USD | 80 | Free for alliance members |