Advice needed - getting dollars abroad

boywonder_1978

Hello MSE-ers,

I am travelling to Costa Rica in 2 weeks, and I have just been told by one of the tour operators that I need to bring $1000 in cash with me, which I am not too happy about (I've never had that much cash on my person in my life!)

Can anyone suggest how best to get this cash? I have a Halifax Clarity credit card and I was thinking about getting the money from an ATM in San Jose, but I'm worried that I will be limited to less than what I need. Does anyone know what the daily limit is (if any?)

Or should I go to one of those dodgy collection companies in London and order my money from there?

Any suggestions or tips, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks,
Adam

photome

I am guessing but the I think the daily limit for withdrawals is around £500 on the clarity card.

At least that is the maximum I can get out in the usa
Why do you need that amount of cash

eDicky

I've found the daily Clarity withdrawal limit to be £500 equivalent, so that should get you $650.

If you happen to be flying out of Gatwick or Southend you can withdraw dollars from Moneycorp ATMs at the MasterCard rate with your Clarity by selecting 'Without Conversion' when the screen gives a choice. But it will be all $20 bills so a bit bulky.

Carrying a thousand dollars cash is no big deal, especially if there are hundred dollar bills to make it more compact. But I don't see why you should be required to prepare so much if USD ATMs are available there(?). There's an MSE tool to find the best online rates to purchase foreign currency cash online before you go.

Revolut is always useful: https://revolut.com

bigadaj

boywonder_1978 wrote: »

Hello MSE-ers,

I am travelling to Costa Rica in 2 weeks, and I have just been told by one of the tour operators that I need to bring $1000 in cash with me, which I am not too happy about (I've never had that much cash on my person in my life!)

Can anyone suggest how best to get this cash? I have a Halifax Clarity credit card and I was thinking about getting the money from an ATM in San Jose, but I'm worried that I will be limited to less than what I need. Does anyone know what the daily limit is (if any?)

Or should I go to one of those dodgy collection companies in London and order my money from there?

Any suggestions or tips, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks,
Adam

We used clarity for payment and cash withdrawals in 2013 in Costa Rica without problems, it's obviously known as a safe place for Central America but still be cautious with large cash sums as there is a lot of poverty.

Have they said why you need the cash, I've heard of over landing trips with a local contribution, which turns out to be the whole cost if the local travel and costs. So your payment in the uk has just really been an expensive flight, not sure if this is the case in this instance.

We used a mixture of local and tourist buses, boats and taxis to get around and it's or etch straightforward though pigeon Spanish is useful everywhere apart from teh Caribbean coast.

newuser86

I use Revolut which allows £500 withdrawals a month and load it before I go, and also take cash which i have exchanged in London. Thomas Global exchange is one of the best and they have plenty of stores.
I wouldnt say the bureau that are advertised on this site are dodgy at all. Best taking cash and card as carrying $1,000 dollars with you is a bit daunting