The currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (ISO code CRC, symbol ₡), and it is the only legal tender in the country. The colón is issued and managed by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (Banco Central de Costa Rica), and as of 2026 roughly 520 colones exchange for one US dollar. While the colón is the official money, US dollars circulate so freely that visitors can comfortably pay for hotels, tours, and many restaurants in either currency.
The Costa Rican Colón Explained
The colón takes its name from Christopher Columbus, who is known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón and who reached the Caribbean coast of present-day Costa Rica in 1502 during his fourth voyage. The currency is divided in theory into 100 céntimos, though decades of mild inflation have rendered the subunit obsolete; all everyday prices are quoted in whole colones. The plural of colón is colones, and you will often see prices written with the ₡ symbol placed before the figure, as in ₡5,000.
Costa Rica replaced the Costa Rican peso with the colón in 1896, when the country adopted the gold standard. Unlike several of its Central American neighbours that have either dollarised entirely (such as El Salvador and Panama) or weathered severe currency crises, Costa Rica has kept its own national money and managed comparatively steady economic conditions for more than a century.
Banknotes and Coins in Circulation
Modern Costa Rican banknotes are widely admired for celebrating the country's astonishing biodiversity, with each denomination dedicated to a distinct ecosystem and a signature animal. The current family of notes includes:
- ₡1,000 (red) — featuring the white-tailed deer and a dry tropical forest scene
- ₡2,000 (blue) — featuring a bull shark and Caribbean marine life
- ₡5,000 (orange-red) — featuring a white-faced capuchin monkey and mangroves
- ₡10,000 (green) — featuring the three-toed sloth and humid forest
- ₡20,000 (orange) — featuring a hummingbird and cloud forest
- ₡50,000 (purple) — featuring a butterfly and páramo highlands
Many of the higher denominations are printed on durable polymer rather than paper, which resists Costa Rica's humid tropical climate. Coins are issued in values such as ₡5, ₡10, ₡25, ₡50, ₡100, and ₡500, made of brass-coloured and silver-coloured alloys that locals call "monedas."
Why the Colón Has Stayed Relatively Stable
Costa Rica's monetary stability is closely tied to its political and economic choices. In 1948, following a short civil war, the country famously abolished its standing army and redirected that spending toward education, healthcare, and public institutions. The resulting social stability helped build a sizeable middle class and a diversified economy spanning tourism, technology, agriculture (coffee, bananas, and pineapples), and medical-device manufacturing.
The Central Bank of Costa Rica manages monetary policy and has, in recent years, allowed the colón to trade within a managed float against the dollar. The colón has gradually depreciated over the long term, as is common for emerging-market currencies, but it has avoided the hyperinflation and sudden collapses seen elsewhere in Latin America. For a fuller picture of the country's economy and geography, see our costa rica country guide.
Using Money as a Traveler in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the easiest countries in Central America for handling money. Practical tips include:
- Dollars are welcome, change comes in colones. Hotels, tour operators, and many restaurants accept US dollars, but you will usually receive change in colones, so it helps to carry both.
- Carry small bills. Vendors often cannot break large notes, and rural shops, buses, and national-park entrances may want cash.
- ATMs are plentiful in towns. Machines dispense colones and sometimes dollars, though they can be scarce in remote areas like the Osa Peninsula or Tortuguero.
- Cards work in cities. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most established businesses, but always have cash as a backup.
- Watch the exchange rate. Paying in dollars can mean a less favourable rate; check whether colón prices are cheaper before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official currency of Costa Rica?
The official currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC), symbolised as ₡ and issued by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. It is the only legal tender, although US dollars are widely accepted in tourist settings.
Can I use US dollars in Costa Rica?
Yes. US dollars are accepted at most hotels, larger restaurants, and tour companies. However, you will generally receive your change in colones, and small local businesses, buses, and rural areas often prefer or require colones.
How much is one US dollar worth in colones?
As of 2026, one US dollar is worth roughly 520 colones, though the rate fluctuates daily under the country's managed-float system. Always check a current rate before exchanging larger sums.
Why is the currency called the colón?
It is named after Christopher Columbus, known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón, who landed on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in 1502. The colón replaced the Costa Rican peso in 1896.