No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta Rica Introduces New ₡500 Coin: Old One No Longer Valid

Costa Rica Introduces New ₡500 Coin: Old One No Longer Valid

Visitors to Costa Rica this month should be aware of an important change to the country’s currency. As of Tuesday, July 1, the old gold-colored ₡500 coin is no longer accepted as legal tender. This means it cannot be used in shops, restaurants, or any other commercial establishments.

Although the coin has lost its validity for purchases, it can still be exchanged at authorized banks. The change was announced by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) back in January, with a six-month grace period for the public to adjust. The withdrawal is part of a broader effort to modernize the national monetary system. In addition to the ₡500 coin, the old ₡50 coin has also been removed from circulation and replaced with newer versions.

The updated coins are smaller, easier to handle, and made from materials that improve durability while lowering production costs. Both the new ₡500 and ₡50 coins are already in use and continue to be accepted as part of the country’s official currency.

Later this month, travelers will also begin to see new ₡100 coins celebrating Costa Rica’s intangible cultural heritage. The special edition features six designs representing local traditions, including Creole swing, Limón-style calypso, the tope de toros in Liberia, traditional cimarrona music, Chorotega-style ceramics, and the symbolic boyeo and ox-cart.

This measure was also implemented to enhance security. The new coins feature state-of-the-art alloys and complex engraving techniques, with a balance between artistic design and anti-counterfeiting technology.

What to Do if You Have Old Coins

There’s no need to panic. Even though businesses won’t accept them, old coins can still be exchanged at the Banco de Costa Rica. However, exchanges are only available on Wednesdays starting July 2, so it’s important to plan accordingly. Non-customers may exchange coins up to a maximum amount of ¢500,000.

You can check BCR’s location, opening hours and any further information on the official website: www.bancobcr.com, section “Locate us.” For tourists, it’s especially important to check your coins carefully when receiving change to avoid confusion during your stay.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Police Uncover Second Cyanide-Laced Mining Operation in Crucitas

The environmental crisis in Crucitas persists. Police discovered and dismantled an artisanal mining material processing plant in a wooded area of Tatú Hill in Crucitas,...

Costa Rican Lottery Official Investigated in Money Laundering Case

Another money laundering case has shaken Costa Rica. Following a series of raids that dismantled a laundering network operating through legal and illegal lottery...

Quiet Force, Loud Legacy: Jannik Sinner Beats Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title

Jannik Sinner is the quiet man of tennis who has become a big noise, burnishing his legacy on Sunday by winning his first Wimbledon...

Dominical to Quepos: The Costa Rican Road That Took 30 Years to Finish

The original Pan-American Highway heading south from San José once took a dramatic and daunting route. It passed through the old capital of Cartago...

El Salvador NGO Flees to Guatemala as Bukele Intensifies Crackdown on Critics

The prestigious NGO Cristosal, which investigates corruption cases and denounces human rights violations in El Salvador, announced Thursday that it has been forced into...

Panama Removed from EU High-Risk List, but Tax Haven Status Remains

The film The Laundromat, starring Meryl Streep, damaged Panama's reputation by drawing inspiration from a real-life story: the global scandal that erupted a decade...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica