Money changers

[heyunclejeff]

Do the street money changers only do currency exchange or will they also change 500C notes? Is there a fee involved?

[Randall Wood]

You're going to have a hard time finding a coyote willing to change that kind of bill because they don't want to get stuck with it and because the risk of a bad note is higher. 

As for a "fee" it's the same fee you always pay a coyote: the exchange rate.  They make their money the same way the banks do, by buying at 12 and selling at 15, or whatever.

I'd suspect for a note that large you'd be better off at a bank, which would have the equipment to detect if it's a fake and thus be more inclined to work with you.  On the street it's a whole different story.

[heyunclejeff]

It is my understanding that the ATMs usually spit out 500 Cordoba notes. It sounds like that if I plan to use the ATMs I should also plan to break the 500 Cordoba notes in the bank. I guess $25US is a bigger deal than I was thinking.

[Joshua Berman]

I'm not sure if all ATMs dispense the same bills. In Granada or Managua, you can usually break those bills in your hotel and in many restaurants -- especially if you buy something.

[FishmongerDave]

BASIC INFO FOR TRAVELING!

You don't EVER EVER want to use the "exchange kiosks" at an airport.  Maybe for $10 for a cab, but that's it - they jack the exchange rate in their favor.... a LOT.  I learned this on a trip to Europe several years ago; I can't remember the exact loss, but I stupidly changed $500 (my whole spending wad for 10 days) at the airport and learned later that an ATM, even with the fee, would've saved me A LOT.