do I use ATM card for expenses?

[Chris D]

Was wondering in LA what the best way to have access to my funds
(in dollars) is? I plan on renting a house in Costa Rica in the countryside
for about two months and living there.I'm guessing bringing my ATM card
but don't want to get hit with the $1.50 usage fee for using a bank thats different
from where I have the account.
All help from experienced guys greatly appreciated.

Chris

[el abogado]

... in response to do I use ATM card for expenses?, posted by Chris D on Jun 19, 2001

My ATM card ALWAYS worked in Costa Rica, and there are NO out of country ATM charges.

BTW, if you can't afford to get hit for $1.50 to use the ATM, you probably can't afford living in Costa Rica...

el abogado

[Chris D]

... in response to Re: do I use ATM card for expenses?, posted by el abogado on Jun 22, 2001

$1.50 invested in today in the stock market, assuming a historical market average of 11%, is worth millions in the future. Due to the power of compounding and dollar-cost avaerageing.

Incidentally, I can rent a house in CR in a beatiful neighborhood or outlying town of San Jose or other city for a third of what I would pay in monthly rent in the housing market I'm in right now (New Jersey). So I can definitely afford to live in CR.

Just answer my d**m question and stop giving me advice about economics.. you obviously don't know squat.

Chris D

[Pete E]

... in response to do I use ATM card for expenses?, posted by Chris D on Jun 19, 2001

Chris,
Unless your bank has a branch in Costa Rica you are probably going to get hit with a small sevice charge to use an ATM.In Colombia you get 3% less than the official exchange rate(listed in the financial section of you newspaper),which is still way ahead of exchanging cash or travelers checks in banks,plus no long wait in line.The second time I went to Colombia I just took $200 or so and used the ATM's.They don't always work but if you go to a large mall like they have in Cali they have several machines so I could always find one that worked.Its also good if you have several cards,in case you have a problem with one(other credit cards).People have posted about their bank freezing there account when they see all these out of country charges.That never happened to me,but I did have a call on my voice mail when I got home with a bank asking about it.Maybe when they heard the outgoing message "I will be out of the country untill--"they figured it out.You could call them and warn them in advance.
I have no experience with Costa Rica but I immagine it would be the same in the large cities.If you are going to remote areas you may want to be prepared with cash and travelers checks also.ATM's are the way to go.The worst exchange is at the airport exchangers(can you believe 1600 pesos vs.2160 pesos(Colombian)?)Travelers checks are a pain,but you get a better exchange than cash.

Pete

[Chris D]

... in response to Re: do I use ATM card for expenses?, posted by Pete E on Jun 20, 2001

That was helpful. .more like it. This board is more substantial than i thought..

would you folks be interested in a trip report when i get back form CR (aug. 21)? i see mostly people post about Colombia.

gracias amigos,

Chris

[Pete E]

... in response to gracias amigo ..and to The Devil too, posted by Chris D on Jun 21, 2001

Chris,
I would be very interested in Costa Rican reports.I was thinking of Costa Rica before I saw very little in the way of agencies there and alot of agencies with hundreds,maybe thousands of girls in Colombia.I got the impression the Tica's were more picky about things like age differences but some guys have said no.I think its largely unexplored,so go for it Dan'l.
The real advantage of Costa Rica is safety I think.Colombia is not too big a risk if you limit what you do,but that can be confining.I think you can just rent a car and head out in Costa Rica(Never do this in Colombia).

Pete

[Chris D]

... in response to do I use ATM card for expenses?, posted by Chris D on Jun 19, 2001

lame board..

[El Diablo]

... in response to Re: do I use ATM card for expenses..than..., posted by Chris D on Jun 20, 2001


Patience is a virtue mi amigo. Not many of us on this board travel to Costa Rica so this is most likely the reason noone has responded.  

If the ATM machines in CR work as well as the ones in Colombia than this might be a good method to use.  The two or three dollar charge for the use of the ATM machine is easily made up by the exchange rate that you will receive. It is generally much better than the rate you would receive at a cambio house.  

I would take some travellers checks and your VISA or AMEX card for emergencies.  AMEX will most likely have an office in San Jose and when I had a problem in Cali once they cashed a couple hundred dollar personal check for me.

If you are out in the countryside you may find it extremely difficult to walk to an ATM.  (-: You can always draw on your ATM when in the big cities but don't forget the $300 daily limit.  Maybe travellers checks would be best but it really depends on your particular circumstances.

Anyway, you might want to stay home if your worried about a buck and change!  (-:

[Chris D]

... in response to Re: Re: do I use ATM card for expenses....., posted by El Diablo on Jun 20, 2001

Devil, thanks..a decent answer.The jibe about the $1.50 rests on your shortsighted view. I'm no t ourist, I plan to live there for a time. Every buck counts, my friend. And the Costa Ricans view things the same way..

Thanks again, amigo,

See you some day in Cali, Cartagena, or elsewhere in Colo.
I love LA and go as soon as I scrape together cash here in the States. but I prefere to live there, since I lack steady , 'corporate" type jobs here in the states.

vaya con Dios,

Chris D