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Best Place to Buy Costa Rican Colón in Australia

Planning an adventure to Costa Rica? Whether you're zip-lining through Monteverde Cloud Forest, surfing the Pacific coast, exploring Arenal Volcano, or spotting sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park, you'll need Costa Rican Colónes in your wallet. Travel Money Oz makes it easy — order Costa Rican Colón online for home delivery or click & collect, or visit one of our 90+ stores across Australia to buy CRC cash in person. Thanks to our Price Beat Guarantee, you'll always get a sharp rate on your Costa Rican currency for your "Pura Vida" adventure.

Live AUD to CRC Exchange Rate

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates shift frequently with the market, so it's smart to check before you buy. View today's live AUD to CRC exchange rate online, lock in your rate, and order your Costa Rican Colónes for home delivery, click & collect, or in-store pickup. Our rates update regularly so you'll always see the current rate before ordering your Costa Rica currency.

How to Get the Best AUD to CRC Exchange Rate

Whether you're heading to Costa Rica for eco-tourism in the rainforests, adventure activities like white-water rafting on the Pacuare River, or beach relaxation in Tamarindo, getting the most out of your Australian dollars starts with a strong AUD to CRC exchange rate. At Travel Money Oz, we make it easy — offering competitive rates, no hidden fees, and flexible options including online ordering with home delivery, click & collect, or in-store purchase.

Lock In More Costa Rican Colónes with Our Price Beat Guarantee

Found a better published AUD to CRC rate in Australia? Show it to us, and we'll beat it — that's our Price Beat Guarantee. Available on cash purchases, it's the easiest way to maximise your Costa Rican Colónes before you fly. Whether you're exploring the biodiversity of Corcovado National Park or enjoying fresh ceviche at a beachside soda, more CRC in your wallet means less stress and better value for your Pura Vida adventure.

Price Beat Guarantee applies to CRC cash purchases. Terms and conditions apply.

Cash rate

Buy online

Card rate

Code

CRC

Symbol

₡

Coins

1, 5, 120, 20, 50, 100, 500

Banknotes

1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000

Order Costa Rican Colón Online for Home Delivery

Want to skip the queues and get your travel money sorted without leaving the house? With Travel Money Oz, you can order Costa Rican Colón cash online for delivery anywhere in Australia. Lock in your AUD to CRC exchange rate at the time of purchase and have your cash delivered straight to your door within 3 hours or schedule a time that suits — safely, securely, and without airport markups. It's the easiest way to get Colónes in hand before your Costa Rica adventure.

Order Costa Rican Colón Cash Online for Pickup

Prefer to collect your currency in person? Simply order your Costa Rican Colón online and pick it up at one of over 90 Travel Money Oz stores across Australia within 1 hour. You'll lock in your rate ahead of time and skip the hassle of airport exchanges or last-minute searches. Some locations even offer same-day pickup — perfect for those spontaneous "Pura Vida" trips.

Convert Costa Rican Colón to AUD – Sell Back After Your Trip

Just returned from Costa Rica with leftover Costa Rican Colónes? Travel Money Oz makes it easy to convert CRC back to AUD at competitive rates. Visit any of our 90+ stores across Australia to sell your CRC cash quickly and without hidden fees. It's the smart, stress-free way to turn your Costa Rican Colónes to AUD after your Pura Vida adventure.

Get a Better CRC to AUD Rate with Our Buy Back Bonus

If you bought your Costa Rican Colónes from Travel Money Oz, you may qualify for our Buy Back Bonus — a perk that gives you a better CRC to AUD rate when you sell back leftover cash. Just bring your original receipt and our team will help you convert Costa Rican Colón to AUD with extra value. It's the easiest way to get more for your Costa Rica currency to AUD conversion after your trip.

Buy Back Bonus applies to cash purchases. Terms and conditions apply.

Home Delivery Foreign Cash

Order your CRC online and have it delivered straight to your home or office.

Order Home Delivery

Click and Collect Foreign Cash

Reserve your CRC online and collect it at a convenient Travel Money Oz store near you.

Reserve Now, Collect In-Store

Load a Currency Pass Travel Money Card

Load AUD on your card, and it'll convert to CRC as you pay! No hidden fees, just the daily exchange rate. T&Cs apply.

Load Your Travel Money Card

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.

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.

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.

Where can I buy Costa Rican Colón in Australia?
You can buy Costa Rican Colón at any of the 90+ Travel Money Oz stores across Australia, or order online for home delivery or click & collect. Purchase CRC cash online and have it delivered to your door, collect it at your nearest store within 1 hour, or visit in person with same-day service available. Use our store locator to find your nearest Travel Money Oz and get your AUD to CRC sorted before your Costa Rica adventure.
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
The official Costa Rica currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), symbolized by ₡. The currency is named after Cristóbal Colón — the Spanish name for Christopher Columbus. You'll need Costa Rican Colónes for local expenses like food at sodas (small restaurants), public buses, markets, tips, and rural areas. However, US Dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas, hotels, and tour operators. The Colón is subdivided into 100 céntimos, though céntimo coins are rarely used.
Why is it called the Colón?
The Costa Rican Colón is named after Cristóbal Colón — the Spanish name for Christopher Columbus, the explorer who reached the Americas in 1492. Columbus landed on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast during his fourth voyage in 1502. The currency was introduced in 1896, replacing the Costa Rican peso, and was named to honor this historical connection. The plural form is "Colónes" (with an accent on the ó). This naming honors Costa Rica's colonial history while establishing a distinct national currency.
Can I use US Dollars in Costa Rica?
Yes! US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Costa Rica, especially in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and larger shops. However, you'll often get better value paying in Costa Rican Colónes. When you pay in USD, change is usually given in Colónes at less favorable exchange rates. Small businesses, local sodas, public buses, markets, and rural areas strongly prefer or only accept Colónes. For the best value and widest acceptance, bring a mix of both USD and Costa Rican Colónes, or primarily Colónes if you're traveling beyond tourist areas.
Is it better to buy Costa Rican Colón in Australia or in Costa Rica?
It's generally better to buy at least some Costa Rican Colónes in Australia before your trip. You can lock in the exchange rate with Travel Money Oz's Price Beat Guarantee and arrive in San José ready to pay for taxis, tips, and initial expenses without searching for exchange services. You can also exchange money at banks and casas de cambio (exchange bureaus) throughout Costa Rica, but rates vary and you'll waste valuable vacation time. Having Colónes ready means you're prepared from the moment you land.
Should I take cash or card to Costa Rica?
Both! Costa Rica has good card acceptance in tourist areas and cities — hotels, restaurants, tour operators, car rentals, and larger shops accept credit and debit cards. However, you'll need Costa Rican Colón cash for local sodas (family restaurants), farmers' markets, street vendors, public buses (very cheap but cash-only), small beach towns, rural areas, tips for guides and drivers, some national park entry fees, and smaller businesses. A mix of Colónes cash and cards ensures you're covered for any situation. Some travelers also bring small amounts of USD for emergencies.
What is the current AUD to CRC exchange rate?
Can I convert leftover Costa Rican Colón back to AUD?