Panama: American Dollar/Balboa

The primary currency in Panama is effectively the dollar, though their national currency is technically the balboa. Everywhere takes American cash and gives it back.

Costa Rica: Colon

The primary currency in Costa Rica is the colon, though many places accept American.

Conversions

• Divide by 1000 and multiply by two.
• 500 colones is $1 USD.

Exchange Rates

• The best exchange rate we ever got was 504 colones at the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
• In general a good conversion is 500 colones.
• The worst we ever had was 490 from the more stingy establishments.
• The banks will give 492-494.

Colombia: Peso

The primary currency in Colombia is the peso. Many places don’t take American and find it odd if you try.

Conversions

• Divide by 1000 and divide by two.
• 2000 colones is $1 USD.

Exchange Rates

• The best exchange rate we ever got was 1940 pesos at a currency exchange in Cartagena.

Ecuador: American Dollar

Ecuador doesn’t have its own currency, instead opting to use USD.

Peru: Sole

The primary currency in Peru is the sole.

Conversions

• Divide by 7 and multiply by 2.50.
• 7 soles is roughly $2.50 USD.
• 7 - $2.50
• 14 - $5
• 21 - $7.50
• 28 - $10
• etc…

French Polynesia: frank

The primary currency in French Polynesia is the frank (XPF or CPCF).

Conversions

• Every unit of 1000 is 12USD
• Trick: take nnn,000 multiply n by 10 an then add n multiplied by two.
• 7000 is $70+$14=$84