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| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Cuenta corriente | Checking account, used with checks and debit cards |
| Cuenta de ahorros | Savings account |
| Colones (₡) and US dollars | Accounts can be held in either currency; ask the bank which it offers you |
| IBAN | Bank accounts use an IBAN-format number for transfers |
| SINPE Móvil | A Banco Central de Costa Rica service for transferring money in real time to a phone number linked to an account in colones |
| Cédula / DIMEX | The identity document numbers banks ask for from residents; ask the bank what it accepts from you |
Source for SINPE Móvil: Banco Central de Costa Rica, checked November 4, 2026.
Questions for a bank
- Which documents do you need from a non-resident or a new resident?
- Which currencies can I hold and how are transfers priced?
- What are the monthly fees and minimums?
- How do I send and receive money from abroad, and what does it cost?
- How do I protect the account against fraud?
