What Currency Does Costa Rica Use?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Exchange rate (approximate):
1 USD ≈ 455.03 CRC
1 GBP ≈ 610.02 CRC
Rates are indicative (July 2026) and change daily. Always check live rates before travelling. Rates by Exchange Rate API.
CRC converter
100 CRC ≈ 0.2198 USD
Costa Rican colón conversion table
| Amount | USD → CRC | GBP → CRC | EUR → CRC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 455.03 | 610.02 | 519.74 |
| 5 | 2,275 | 3,050 | 2,599 |
| 10 | 4,550 | 6,100 | 5,197 |
| 20 | 9,101 | 12,200 | 10,395 |
| 50 | 22,752 | 30,501 | 25,987 |
| 100 | 45,503 | 61,002 | 51,974 |
| 500 | 227,517 | 305,008 | 259,871 |
| 1,000 | 455,034 | 610,015 | 519,742 |
| CRC | → USD | → GBP | → EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0022 | 0.0016 | 0.0019 |
| 5 | 0.011 | 0.0082 | 0.0096 |
| 10 | 0.022 | 0.0164 | 0.0192 |
| 20 | 0.044 | 0.0328 | 0.0385 |
| 50 | 0.1099 | 0.082 | 0.0962 |
| 100 | 0.2198 | 0.1639 | 0.1924 |
| 500 | 1.0988 | 0.8197 | 0.962 |
| 1,000 | 2.1976 | 1.6393 | 1.924 |
Indicative rates (July 2026). Banks and card providers add their own margin and fees, so the amount you actually receive will differ slightly.
Against the US dollar, 1 CRC is worth about 0.0022 USD. Of the 141 currencies covered on this site, the Costa Rican colón ranks 109th by value per unit (1st = the most US dollars per unit). A high or low number says nothing about economic strength — it simply reflects how the currency is denominated.
Travel Money Card
Travelling to Costa Rica? Avoid poor airport exchange rates — a prepaid travel money card or multi-currency card usually gets you a far better deal on Costa Rican colón spending.
What is money called in Costa Rica?
Money in Costa Rica is called the Costa Rican colón — its ISO 4217 currency code is CRC, and its symbol is ₡. The Costa Rican colón is the official legal tender in Costa Rica and is used for all everyday transactions — from paying for goods and services to converting money at banks and exchange bureaus. When travelling, you may also see it referred to as the Costa Rica currency or simply money in Costa Rica.
Is the Costa Rican colón used anywhere else?
No — Costa Rica is the only country on this site using the Costa Rican colón as its official currency.
Practical money tips for Costa Rica
Card payments are widely accepted in most cities, but it's still worth carrying some Costa Rican colón in cash for smaller vendors, local transport and rural areas. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid transactions being blocked, and compare card fees — many cards charge a foreign transaction fee that a dedicated travel money card avoids.
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Costa Rica in context
- Costa Rica covers 51,100 km², making it the 126th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 2 countries: Nicaragua, Panama.
- With 5,309,625 people, Costa Rica holds about 10.5% of the population of Central America.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Costa Rica is a member state of the United Nations.
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Costa Rica currency — FAQ
What is the currency of Costa Rica?
The currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (currency code: CRC, symbol: ₡).
What is the currency code for Costa Rica?
The ISO 4217 currency code for the Costa Rican colón is CRC.
What is the Costa Rican colón symbol?
The symbol for the Costa Rican colón is ₡. You will see this on price tags and receipts throughout Costa Rica.
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
The official currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC).
Can I use US dollars in Costa Rica?
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón, not the US dollar. While USD may be accepted in some tourist hotels and major cities, you will generally get better rates paying in Costa Rican colón and should exchange money before or on arrival.
What is the exchange rate for Costa Rica?
As of July 2026, approximately 1 USD = 455.03 CRC and 1 GBP = 610.02 CRC. Rates change daily — always check a live source before travelling or sending money.
What is money called in Costa Rica?
Money in Costa Rica is called the Costa Rican colón (CRC).
Do other countries use the Costa Rican colón?
No — Costa Rica is the only country on this site using the Costa Rican colón as its official currency.
What is the Costa Rican currency?
The Costa Rican currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC), the official money of Costa Rica.
What is the currency of the Republic of Costa Rica?
The Republic of Costa Rica is the formal name of Costa Rica. Its currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC).
How much is 100 CRC in US dollars?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 CRC is about 0.2198 USD or 0.1639 GBP. Use the converter above for other amounts.
How much is 100 US dollars in Costa Rican colón?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 USD is about 45,503 CRC.
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