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Sloths, Surf and Smart Spending!
Lush rainforests, unique wildlife (yes, sloths!), and beaches that make the ‘Castaway’ lifestyle look pretty tempting – Costa Rica is the ultimate tropical paradise.
Whether you’re ziplining through Monteverde’s cloud forests, chilling out on the beaches of Manuel Antonio, or fuelling up on the world’s best coffee in San José, having Costa Rican Colón (CRC) in your wallet will mean less time stressing about currency and more time soaking up the good vibes.
Lucky for you, we’ve got all the Costa Rican Colón you’ll need. Swing by one of our 90+ stores across Australia or jump online for same-day delivery or click-and-collect — and score competitive exchange rates for CRC, no monkey business!
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Holiday Budget Calculator
We know holiday budgeting can be a snooze fest, but it's important! Just pop in your trip details, and our clever tools will mix crowd-sourced Numbeo data with our exchange rates to show you how much to bring. Easy as!
How to Get the Most Out of Your Costa Rican Colón
Staying in paradise doesn’t have to mean blowing through the budget! Here’s a handful of our top tips to get the most out of your Costa Rican adventure, for less:
- Budget eats – skip out on pricey resort menus and explore street food stalls, local sodas (family-run eateries), and fresh produce markets. We’re talking fresh empanadas, gallo pinto and casadoand. You’ll have a happy wallet and a full tummy!
- Cheap stays – save some precious Colón by swapping luxury hotels for eco-lodges, family-owned guesthouses, or jungle hostels. Many options home-cooked breakfasts and are immersed in nature with stunning views of rainforests, beaches, or volcanoes (yes, really).
- Transport options – public buses are cheap, reliable, and cover most of the country, all the way from beach towns to cloud forests. It’s a super affordable way to soak in the scenery (and maybe spot a sloth going about its day).
- Free things to do – Costa Rica’s full of budget-friendly adventures. Think hiking volcano trails, chasing waterfalls, spotting wildlife in national parks, or relaxing on postcard-perfect beaches, all without burning through your travel fund.
- Currency tip – pop into your local Travel Money Oz store to convert AUD to CRC. With our Best Price Guarantee, you’ll get more Costa Rican Colón for your Dollar.
Ways to Exchange
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All About Costa Rican Currency
A quick guide to money in Costa Rica
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colón, symbolised as ₡ and often written as CRC. Named after Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish), this vibrant currency is what you’ll be using to pay for everything from roadside coconuts to jungle tours and beachside tacos.
Costa Rican notes are beautifully designed and made from durable polymer, meaning they’re waterproof, tear-proof, and built to withstand everything from humid rainforests to sudden tropical downpours.
Card rate
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Code
CRC
Symbol
₡
Coins
1, 5, 120, 20, 50, 100, 500
Banknotes
1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000
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Costa Rican Notes and Coins
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by new currency? We don’t blame you! Here’s a little helping hand:
- The Colón (CRC) is divided into 100 centimos.
- Coins come in denominations of ₡5, ₡10, ₡25, ₡50, ₡100, and ₡500.
- Banknotes are available in ₡1,000, ₡2,000, ₡5,000, ₡10,000, ₡20,000, and ₡50,000.
While most day-to-day purchases can be covered with lower-value notes like ₡1,000 to ₡10,000, it’s handy to carry smaller coins for markets, local buses, and tipping.
Fun facts about Costa Rican cash
- The Colón is named after Cristóbal Colón, better known as Christopher Columbus, who arrived in Costa Rica during his final voyage to the Americas.
- Costa Rican banknotes are some of the most colourful in the world, featuring native wildlife like sloths, sharks, monkeys, and hummingbirds. They’re basically a piece of art!
- Costa Rica’s ₡50,000 note is the highest denomination and is rarely used for daily transactions. Most locals stick to ₡1,000–₡10,000 notes for everyday purchases.
- Each note also highlights different regions and ecosystems of Costa Rica, from tropical beaches to volcanoes, celebrating the country’s biodiversity and natural beauty.
Travel Money Trivia – Costa Rica Edition
- The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) has been the official currency since 1896 when it replaced the Peso.
- While US dollars are accepted in some tourist hotspots, you’ll often get a better deal paying in Colón, especially in markets, taxis, or off-the-beaten-path towns.
- Coins go up to ₡500, but locals often treat smaller denominations like loose change (or forget them entirely).
- Costa Rica's economy is strongly tied to tourism, and prices can vary widely between local spots and tourist hubs, so budgeting in Colón helps you stay on top of your funds.
- Despite being a small country, Costa Rica has a well-developed banking and ATM network, but it's always smart to have cash on hand for remote areas, beach bars, and roadside snacks.
Why exchange with us?
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Getting the best rate for your AUD to CRC conversion is key to stretching your travel budget, especially when you’re soaking up Costa Rica’s rainforests, beaches, and pura vida vibes.
At Travel Money Oz, you’ll be ready to zip through Costa Rica without any currency headaches. Keep it simple, secure, and travel-ready — so don’t sloth around, get your currency today!