The Costa Rica banks are not the same as what you are used to for service. The Costa Rica banks opening hours are different from one to the other. If you landed on this article and you’re looking for bank mortgages or something bank-related, go to our Costa Rica bank articles.
For many years you could only open an account in Costa Rica Banks that were owned by the government of Costa Rica. The Banco Nacional de Costa Rica and the Banco de Costa Rica are the two largest.
Not until President Carazo’s government from 1978 – 1982 was private banking allowed. Starting in 1984, private banks were allowed to participate in saving deposits and mortgages and credit loans. In 1995, private Costa Rica Banks finally were authorized to offer regular bank accounts, savings accounts, and other financial services to their clients.
This was a big turnaround on services. It obliged the state-owned Costa Rica Banks to train their employees to become service-minded. Especially the business community then started moving over to private banking. For years, businesses had to have messengers on motorcycles to do their banking. They would just stand in line for hours at the time, so they could make their deposits or pay their utility bills.
Bank employees are well trained to follow the bank’s rules. Do not expect a bank employee to think out of the box, because it won’t happen. Try not to yell at a bank employee, it’s not their fault, it’s their boss’. Once you yell at them, they’ll become even less cooperative.
Exchange
For the daily US dollar – Costa Rica Colon exchange rate and it’s history, you can go to the BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA – Central Bank website.
Costa Rica Banks in 2020
Now, in 2020, private Costa Rica Banks have gotten used to the competition. They make sure they ALL give bad service, so it doesn’t matter where you do your banking. Do not expect anybody working at a bank interested in helping you or to worry about your savings. This knowledge will help you tremendously in adjusting to your new and adventurous lifestyle.
When you move to Costa Rica, you need to open a bank account. If you do, bring a book, take your time and make sure you understand all the requirements for opening a bank account. Planning on getting a mortgage for the purchase of your Costa Rica real estate or a car loan? Check this article before you go.
Some Costa Rica banks will have one or two employees who speak English. This depends on the area you will be living in. Ask your affiliate realtor to the American European Real Estate Group to give you a recommendation.
Looking to have a credit card attached to your bank account? Then make sure you understand their rules and regulations and the interest rates they will charge you. Most Costa Rica credit card companies will charge you a 5% a month interest, which is 60% annually. Most people don’t realize until it is too late.
BAC SAN JOSE: American Express, Visa, Master Card & Dinners Club
VISA: Almost all banks
I’d like to thank Daniel Langlois who put all this banking information together.
Opening hours
SAN RAFAEL DE ESCAZU
- BANCO BAC SAN JOSÉ – Centro Comercial Atlantis – Phone 2295 9797
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00am – 6:00pm.-Sat 9:00 am–1:00 pm - BANCO DE COSTA RICA – Centro Comercial Trejos Montealegre – Phone 2211 1111
Opening Hours: Mon.-Fri 11:00 am – 6:00 pm - BANCO LAFISE – Palermo, San Rafael de Escazú– Phone 800-052-3473
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 6:00pm - BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA – Carretera John F Kennedy 10, Maynard, San José Province, San Rafael, Escazú – Phone 2212-2000
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 am – 3:45 pm. - SCOTIABANK – Trejos Montealegre – Phone 2208 5500
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.- Sat 9:00 am – 12:00 pm - SERVIMAS – Trejos Montealegre – Phone 2431 9000
Opening Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:00am – 8:00pm. and Sun. 9:00am – 5:00pm - SERVIMAS Mas x Menos Escazu (pay utilities)
Opening Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:00am – 8:00pm. and Sun. 9:00am – 5:00pm
ESCAZU DOWNTOWN
- BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA – Calle 136, Escazú – Phone 2228-0009
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 3:45pm - BANCO POPULAR – Escazú – Phone 2289-4033
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm - BANCO DE COSTA RICA – 125 M. West of the Municipality, Escazu – phone 2211 1111
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
LAURELES / PACO
- BANCO BAC SAN JOSÉ – Across from Centro Commercial Paco – Phone 2295 9797
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sat. 9:00am – 1:00pm - SCOTIABANK – Plaza Laureles – Phone 2288-0125
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.- Sat 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
MULTIPLAZA
- BANCO DE COSTA RICA – Multiplaza – Phone 2211-1111
Opening Hours: Mon. – Sun. 11:00am – 6:00pm - BANCO BAC SAN JOSE – Multiplaza
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11:00am – 7:00pm – Sat. – Sun. 1:00pm – 6:00pm - BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA – Multiplaza – Phone 2212 2000
Opening Hours: Mon.-Fri. 1:00 pm – 7:00pm .- Sat. 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm .- Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. - SCOTIABANK – Multiplaza – Phone 2201 2300
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.-Sat. 11:00 am – 5:00pm.- Sun 12:00 pm – 4:00pm - BANCO CATHAY – Multiplaza – 2527-7700 / 7941
Opening Hours: Mon. – Sun. 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
ESCAZU HIGHWAY
- BANCO BAC SAN JOSÉ – Across from Hospital Cima
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sat. 9:00am – 1:00pm - BANCO DE COSTA RICA Hospital CIMA Phone 2211-1111
Opening Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:00am-4:00pm - BANCO GENERAL – Trejos Montealegre – Phone 2588-4700
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00am – 6:00pm and Sat. 9:00am – 12:30pm - BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA – Inside EPA, Teléfono 2212-2000
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 15:45pm - BANCO PROMERICA – Building El Cedral, Trejos Montealegre – Phone 2505-7000
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00am – 5:30pm and Sat. 9:00am-12:00pm
SANTA ANA DOWNTOWN
- BANCO DE COSTA RICA – from Northside Santa Ana church 100 west – Phone 2211 1111
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00am – 4:00pm. - BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA – Calle 2, Santa Ana – Phone 2282 7273
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00am – 4:00pm - BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA – Pozos – Phone 2212 2000
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 3:45pm - BANCO POPULAR – Calle Central, Santa Ana, – Phone 2203-7997
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:45am – 4:30pm. – Sat. 8:15am – 11:30pm
SANTA ANA FORUM / LINDORA
- BANCO BAC SAN JOSÉ – Centro Comercial Vistanas Este (next to MATRA) – Phone 2295 9797
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sat. 9:00am – 1:00pm - BANCO DE COSTA RICA – Vistana del Oeste Mall on Lindora Road – Phone 2211 1111
Opening Hours: Tues. – Fri. 11:00am – 6:00pm, and Sat. 8:30am – 3:30pm - SCOTIABANK – In front of the Santa Ana 2000 Shopping Center, Forum – Phone 2582 7900
Mon. – Fri. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sat. 9:00am – 12:00md
Rohrmoser
- BANCO CATHAY – Centro Comercial Rohrmoser – Phone 2527-7700 / 7933.
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00am – 6:00pm and Sat. 9:00am -1:00pm. - WESTERN UNION – Centro Comercial Plaza Rohrmoser – Phone 2210 8500
Opening Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:00am – 8:00pm and Sun. 9:00am -5:00pm.
BANKS WEBSITES:
- BAC SAN JOSE https://www.baccredomatic.com/
- BANCO POPULAR https://www.bancopopular.fi.cr/
- BANCO GENERAL http://www.bgeneral.fi.cr/
- BCR http://www.bancobcr.com/
- BCT http://www.bancobct.com/
- BNCR http://www.bncr.fi.cr
- CATHAY http://www.bancocathay.com/
- LAFISSE https://www.lafise.com/blcr/home.aspx
- PROMERICA http://www.promerica.fi.cr
- SCOTIABANK http://www.scotiabankcr.com/
We give this type of information about Costa Rica Banks as a service to our clients. We hope the info is helpful.
Interested in buying or renting property in Costa Rica? Then contact the experts now.
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