Compare the best ways to send money from United States to Costa Rica

We compared 5 companies sending money from the United States to Costa Rica. Regency FX is the best and cheapest, while Revolut is the fastest.

Sending $7,000 with Regency FX gets your recipient 3,180,558.51 CRC at 454.3655 CRC per USD.

Best companies for USD/CRC transfers

5 of 5 providers

Last updated on 28 October 2026

Based on 7,000 USD transfer

Best companies for USD/CRC transfers

Sort Cheapest
Promoted

Wise

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $103.11 1 USD = 452.4450 CRC +0.69% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,120,463.40 Same day
Multi-currency cardReceive to bank accountDedicated support for large transfers

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Wise when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositSame dayAvailable via:Bank Transfer
$103.111 USD = 452.4450 CRC
₡3,120,463.40You pay$7,000.00
Promoted

Xe

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 436.8276 CRC +4.21% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,057,793.20 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Xe when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
Free1 USD = 436.8276 CRC
₡3,057,793.20You pay$7,000.00

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Regency FX

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 454.3655 CRC +0.27% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,180,558.51 Minutes - 24 hours
Cheapest
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountProfessional, personal service

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Regency FX when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
Free1 USD = 454.3655 CRC
₡3,180,558.51You pay$7,000.00
Pricing based on Revolut Standard plan

Revolut

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $40.50 1 USD = 448.8107 CRC +1.50% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,123,498.15 Within minutes
Fastest
Multi-currency cardReceive to bank account

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Revolut when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositWithin minutes
$40.501 USD = 448.8107 CRC
₡3,123,498.15You pay$7,000.00

US Disclaimer: Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Fees may apply. See revolut.com/en-US/ for details.

Wise

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $103.11 1 USD = 452.4450 CRC +0.69% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,120,463.40 Same day
Recommended
Multi-currency cardReceive to bank accountDedicated support for large transfers

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Wise when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositSame dayAvailable via:Bank Transfer
$103.111 USD = 452.4450 CRC
₡3,120,463.40You pay$7,000.00
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $2.99 1 USD = 444.1201 CRC +2.55% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,108,840.70 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with MoneyGram when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:All Banks
$2.991 USD = 444.1201 CRC
₡3,108,840.70You pay$7,002.99
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Debit card
Fee $2.99 1 USD = 439.5873 CRC +3.58% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,077,111.10 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with MoneyGram when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:All Banks
$2.991 USD = 439.5873 CRC
₡3,077,111.10You pay$7,002.99
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Credit card
Fee $177.99 1 USD = 439.5873 CRC +3.58% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,077,111.10 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with MoneyGram when paying by credit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:All Banks
$177.991 USD = 439.5873 CRC
₡3,077,111.10You pay$7,177.99

Xe

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 436.8276 CRC +4.21% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,057,793.20 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Xe when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
Free1 USD = 436.8276 CRC
₡3,057,793.20You pay$7,000.00

Xe

Pay via Debit card
Fee $35.00 1 USD = 436.8276 CRC +4.21% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡3,042,504.23 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Xe when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$35.001 USD = 436.8276 CRC
₡3,042,504.23You pay$7,000.00

Xe

Pay via Credit card
Fee $210.00 1 USD = 436.8276 CRC +4.21% vs mid-market Recipient gets ₡2,966,059.40 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Costa Rica with Xe when paying by credit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$210.001 USD = 436.8276 CRC
₡2,966,059.40You pay$7,000.00
How Our Results Work
Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 455.5956 CRC Updates every 60 minutes.

How to send money from US to Costa Rica

Pick a company

If you're sending a one-off transfer, then Regency FX is the best option.

Regency FX was the cheapest on 30 of the 30 days it quoted $7,000 transfers to Costa Rica.

For recurring transfers, I'd suggest using an app or a multi-currency account with Revolut.

For large transfers, a broker like Regency FX is the best option.

How much you send will affect the best option for you right now.

Pay for it

You have 3 ways to pay for your transfer to Costa Rica, including bank transfer, debit card, and credit card.

Usually, using bank transfer to fund your transfer is the cheapest but slowest option (ACH and takes a day or two).

You can use a debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay for quicker deposit but its a bit more expensive.

I suggest avoiding credit cards since these are most expensive and have cash advance fees (Amex is very rarely accepted in general).

Check and send

First time round you'll need to confirm who you are.

An SSN isn't required, an ITIN or a foreign passport works with most companies here.

Compare amounts

How much USD are you sending to Costa Rica?

How much USD you send to Costa Rica heavily affects the best ways and the cheapest options. Use the table below to check how the cheapest options change and how much more you'd get by comparing.

Our analysis shows Regency FX was the cheapest in 100% of the transfers from $5,000 it quoted, and in 100% of all the transfers it quoted.

Cheapest service
$5000.91%$0.00₡225,735.00with debit card to bank deposit+₡5,770.95
$2,0001.90%$0.00₡894,080.00with remitly wallet to bank deposit+₡17,994.70
$5,0001.50%$27.50₡2,231,711.26with bank transfer to bank deposit+₡32,801.80
$7,000This page0.27%$0.00₡3,180,558.51with bank transfer to bank deposit+₡96,787.42
$10,0000.27%$0.00₡4,543,655.01with bank transfer to bank deposit+₡145,073.43
$50,000$639.28₡22,333,010.96with bank transfer to bank deposit+₡2,826,534.58
$100,0000.20%$0.00₡45,468,441.78with bank transfer to bank deposit+₡1,401,722.49
$250,0000.20%$0.00₡113,671,104.45with bank transfer to bank deposit+₡3,497,552.03

Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 455.5956 CRC

USD/CRC Exchange Rate History

Is today a good time to send money from US to Costa Rica?

The cheapest way to send USD to CRC can change every day, or stay with the same company all month.

We've compared the mid-market rate with the cheapest option each day (today it's Regency FX), across 30 days of comparisons for 7,000 USD transfers to Costa Rica.

CRC received for $7,000, after fees

Wed, Oct 28, 2026Mid-market rate₡3,189,169.26 Regency FX ₡3,180,558.51Regency FX₡3,180,558.51Revolut₡3,123,498.15Wise₡3,120,463.40

3.05M
3.10M
3.15M
3.20M
3.25M
At the mid-market rateWith the cheapest optionRegency FXRevolutWise
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 454.4335 – ₡3,181,034.33
Regency FX Cheapest 453.2065 $0.00 ₡3,172,445.54 −₡8,588.79
Revolut 450.4177 $40.50 ₡3,134,681.98 −₡46,352.35
Wise 454.0650 $103.11 ₡3,131,636.36 −₡49,397.97
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.0286 – ₡3,192,200.51
Regency FX Cheapest 454.7974 $0.00 ₡3,183,581.57 −₡8,618.94
Revolut 451.5386 $40.50 ₡3,142,483.04 −₡49,717.47
Wise 455.0950 $103.11 ₡3,138,740.15 −₡53,460.36
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 457.8462 – ₡3,204,923.46
Regency FX Cheapest 456.6100 $0.00 ₡3,196,270.16 −₡8,653.30
Revolut 452.9621 $40.50 ₡3,152,389.71 −₡52,533.75
Wise 456.6300 $103.11 ₡3,149,326.88 −₡55,596.58
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 459.3036 – ₡3,215,124.98
Regency FX Cheapest 458.0634 $0.00 ₡3,206,444.14 −₡8,680.84
Revolut 454.2368 $40.50 ₡3,161,260.83 −₡53,864.15
Wise 457.9150 $103.11 ₡3,158,189.38 −₡56,935.60
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 458.1335 – ₡3,206,934.30
Regency FX Cheapest 456.8965 $0.00 ₡3,198,275.57 −₡8,658.73
Wise 458.0100 $103.11 ₡3,158,844.59 −₡48,089.71
Revolut 453.3330 $110.50 ₡3,123,237.70 −₡83,696.60
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 457.2139 – ₡3,200,497.36
Regency FX Cheapest 455.9794 $0.00 ₡3,191,856.01 −₡8,641.35
Wise 458.0100 $103.11 ₡3,158,844.59 −₡41,652.77
Revolut 453.3330 $110.50 ₡3,123,237.70 −₡77,259.66
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 457.8788 – ₡3,205,151.58
Regency FX Cheapest 456.6425 $0.00 ₡3,196,497.67 −₡8,653.91
Revolut 454.5195 $40.50 ₡3,163,228.35 −₡41,923.23
Wise 458.0100 $103.11 ₡3,158,844.59 −₡46,306.99
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 457.2610 – ₡3,200,826.85
Regency FX Cheapest 456.0264 $0.00 ₡3,192,184.61 −₡8,642.24
Revolut 454.2864 $40.50 ₡3,161,606.01 −₡39,220.84
Wise 457.9650 $103.11 ₡3,158,534.23 −₡42,292.62
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 457.5823 – ₡3,203,076.04
Regency FX Cheapest 456.3468 $0.00 ₡3,194,427.73 −₡8,648.31
Revolut 452.9571 $40.50 ₡3,152,355.19 −₡50,720.85
Wise 456.5900 $103.11 ₡3,149,051.01 −₡54,025.03
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.2198 – ₡3,193,538.45
Regency FX Cheapest 454.9880 $0.00 ₡3,184,915.89 −₡8,622.56
Revolut 451.8660 $40.50 ₡3,144,761.23 −₡48,777.22
Wise 455.5250 $103.11 ₡3,141,705.82 −₡51,832.63
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 454.2396 – ₡3,179,676.88
Regency FX Cheapest 453.0131 $0.00 ₡3,171,091.75 −₡8,585.13
Revolut 450.2334 $40.50 ₡3,133,399.57 −₡46,277.31
Wise 453.9250 $103.11 ₡3,130,670.79 −₡49,006.09
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.3016 – ₡3,194,111.09
Regency FX Cheapest 455.0696 $0.00 ₡3,185,486.99 −₡8,624.10
Wise 453.6350 $103.11 ₡3,128,670.70 −₡65,440.39
Revolut 448.8165 $110.50 ₡3,092,121.20 −₡101,989.89
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.3016 – ₡3,194,111.09
Regency FX Cheapest 455.0696 $0.00 ₡3,185,486.99 −₡8,624.10
Wise 453.6350 $103.11 ₡3,128,670.70 −₡65,440.39
Revolut 448.8165 $110.50 ₡3,092,121.20 −₡101,989.89
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.9822 – ₡3,191,875.42
Regency FX Cheapest 454.7511 $0.00 ₡3,183,257.36 −₡8,618.06
Revolut 449.9912 $40.50 ₡3,131,713.43 −₡60,161.99
Wise 453.6350 $103.11 ₡3,128,670.70 −₡63,204.72
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.2867 – ₡3,194,006.98
Regency FX Cheapest 455.0547 $0.00 ₡3,185,383.17 −₡8,623.81
Revolut 448.7611 $40.50 ₡3,123,152.97 −₡70,854.01
Wise 452.3950 $103.11 ₡3,120,118.55 −₡73,888.43
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 454.4015 – ₡3,180,810.19
Regency FX Cheapest 453.1746 $0.00 ₡3,172,222.00 −₡8,588.19
Revolut 448.3246 $40.50 ₡3,120,115.39 −₡60,694.80
Wise 451.9550 $103.11 ₡3,117,083.92 −₡63,726.27
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.4730 – ₡3,188,311.31
Regency FX Cheapest 454.2433 $0.00 ₡3,179,702.87 −₡8,608.44
Revolut 447.7741 $40.50 ₡3,116,283.89 −₡72,027.42
Wise 451.4000 $103.11 ₡3,113,256.15 −₡75,055.16
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.2083 – ₡3,186,457.91
Regency FX Cheapest 453.9792 $0.00 ₡3,177,854.47 −₡8,603.44
Revolut 447.3476 $40.50 ₡3,113,315.35 −₡73,142.56
Wise 450.9700 $103.11 ₡3,110,290.48 −₡76,167.43
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.0994 – ₡3,185,695.86
Regency FX Cheapest 453.8706 $0.00 ₡3,177,094.48 −₡8,601.38
Wise 450.5950 $103.11 ₡3,107,704.15 −₡77,991.71
Revolut 445.8088 $110.50 ₡3,071,399.58 −₡114,296.28
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.0994 – ₡3,185,695.86
Regency FX Cheapest 453.8706 $0.00 ₡3,177,094.48 −₡8,601.38
Wise 450.5950 $103.11 ₡3,107,704.15 −₡77,991.71
Revolut 445.8088 $110.50 ₡3,071,399.58 −₡114,296.28
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.9268 – ₡3,191,487.47
Regency FX Cheapest 454.6958 $0.00 ₡3,182,870.45 −₡8,617.02
Revolut 447.4368 $40.50 ₡3,113,936.67 −₡77,550.80
Wise 451.0600 $103.11 ₡3,110,911.20 −₡80,576.27
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 454.2820 – ₡3,179,974.14
Regency FX Cheapest 453.0555 $0.00 ₡3,171,388.21 −₡8,585.93
Wise 451.9500 $103.11 ₡3,117,049.44 −₡62,924.70
Revolut No quote collected this day – – – –
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 453.3249 – ₡3,173,274.31
Regency FX Cheapest 452.1009 $0.00 ₡3,164,706.47 −₡8,567.84
Revolut 448.7760 $40.50 ₡3,123,256.53 −₡50,017.78
Wise 452.4100 $103.11 ₡3,120,222.00 −₡53,052.31
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.3487 – ₡3,187,440.75
Regency FX Cheapest 454.1192 $0.00 ₡3,178,834.66 −₡8,606.09
Revolut 450.9087 $40.50 ₡3,138,099.26 −₡49,341.49
Wise 454.5600 $103.11 ₡3,135,050.32 −₡52,390.43
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.1294 – ₡3,192,905.84
Regency FX Cheapest 454.8979 $0.00 ₡3,184,285.00 −₡8,620.84
Revolut 450.8145 $40.50 ₡3,137,443.42 −₡55,462.42
Wise 454.2400 $103.11 ₡3,132,843.31 −₡60,062.53
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.0182 – ₡3,192,127.46
Regency FX Cheapest 454.7870 $0.00 ₡3,183,508.72 −₡8,618.74
Wise 452.7500 $103.11 ₡3,122,566.95 −₡69,560.51
Revolut 448.1586 $110.50 ₡3,087,588.34 −₡104,539.12
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.0182 – ₡3,192,127.46
Regency FX Cheapest 454.7870 $0.00 ₡3,183,508.72 −₡8,618.74
Wise 452.7500 $103.11 ₡3,122,566.95 −₡69,560.51
Revolut 448.1586 $110.50 ₡3,087,588.34 −₡104,539.12
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.3517 – ₡3,187,461.56
Regency FX Cheapest 454.1222 $0.00 ₡3,178,855.42 −₡8,606.14
Wise 452.7500 $103.11 ₡3,122,566.95 −₡64,894.61
Revolut 448.3123 $40.50 ₡3,120,029.70 −₡67,431.86
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 456.2282 – ₡3,193,597.05
Regency FX Cheapest 454.9963 $0.00 ₡3,184,974.34 −₡8,622.71
Revolut 448.9545 $40.50 ₡3,124,499.17 −₡69,097.88
Wise 452.5900 $103.11 ₡3,121,463.45 −₡72,133.60
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 455.5956 – ₡3,189,169.26
Regency FX Cheapest 454.3655 $0.00 ₡3,180,558.51 −₡8,610.75
Revolut 448.8107 $40.50 ₡3,123,498.15 −₡65,671.11
Wise 452.4450 $103.11 ₡3,120,463.40 −₡68,705.86

Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference

Each line shows what the recipient gets when you send $7,000, after fees, as quoted by each company. The mid-market line shows what $7,000 converts to at the real exchange rate, with no fees or markup. Rates are checked once a day. Sponsored placements never affect this data. There are no bank quotes for this period.

Understanding USD/CRC exchange rate

The dashed line is what you'd get at the mid-market rate with no fees, and the blue line is the cheapest option that day.

When the blue line goes above the dashed one, you're getting more CRC per USD than the mid-market rate can offer.

This could be due to money transfer offers, FX rate adjustments, or market competitiveness.

No company, app or bank beat the mid-market rate over the past month, meaning you lose a bit of CRC on every transfer from US.

Right now, Regency FX pays 3,180,558.51 CRC on 7,000 USD, which is 8,610.75 CRC less than the mid-market amount.

Today's payout isn't the best this month though, since the highest receive amount was 3,206,444.14 CRC.

If you can wait and want to get the most out of your transfer, create a rate alert and we'll let you know when the rate improves.

Cheapest over time

Picking the cheapest money transfer company

Just because a company is the cheapest today doesn't mean it's always the best option for sending money to Costa Rica.

We've tracked 207 comparisons to check how often today's top companies were the cheapest across 8 amounts over the past month.

  1. Regency FXAppeared in 111 comparisons

    Cheapest every time

  2. RevolutAppeared in 192 comparisons

    Cheapest in 28% of them

  3. WiseAppeared in 203 comparisons

    Cheapest in 7% of them

Based on 207 comparisons across 8 amounts over the last 30 days.

Is the cheapest money transfer company always the best?

Different companies can come out cheapest depending on the day and the amount you send.

To keep things fair, we only count the comparisons each company appeared in, and only analyze companies that appeared in at least 50% of all comparisons (so occasional cheapest options don't skew it).

Today Regency FX is the cheapest and gets you the most CRC, and it was also the cheapest in 100% of the 111 comparisons it appeared in over the past month.

It's a good pick for both one-off and regular transfers to Costa Rica.

Revolut (today's second cheapest) was the cheapest in only 28% of its comparisons, so it's rarely the cheapest option for transfers to Costa Rica.

Ways to send money from the US to Costa Rica

There are 5 companies available for sending money from the US to Costa Rica, across app, online, broker, multi-currency account, global account, and in person, and more.

For regular transfers home

Money transfer apps

If you send a few hundred dollars home every payday, an app is usually the cheapest way and the least work.

Revolut charges $40.5 on a $7,000 transfer with 1.5% markup, saves your recipient's details for next time, and CRC arrives in within minutes.

Over the past month, Revolut was the cheapest app on 69% of the days it appeared for $7,000 transfers.

Funding from a US bank account or debit card avoids the 1% federal tax that applies to cash-funded transfers.

For one-off transfers

Online transfers

For a one-off transfer, an online service funded from your checking account is usually the cheapest way to send money to Costa Rica.

Of all online companies listed here, Wise gets you the most CRC per USD.

On a $7,000 transfer, you will get 3,120,463.4 CRC after a $103.11 fee and 0.69% markup.

In our comparisons over the past month, it was the cheapest online service on 26 of the 30 days it quoted.

But, bank funding (ACH) takes 1 to 3 business days to clear, while debit cards (and Google Pay/Apple Pay) are usually instant but cost a bit more.

For transfers over $10,000

Currency brokers

For large transfers to Costa Rica (e.g. a property purchase, tuition, or moving to Costa Rica), a broker like Regency FX charges no fee, gives you a dedicated account manager, and adds 0.27% markup on USD/CRC that gets lower the more you send.

Our analysis shows Regency FX was the cheapest broker in 100% of the transfers from $5,000 it quoted.

It's also good to check Wise since you get a bulk discount on transfers over $25,000.

Business payments from the US

Global accounts

Global accounts are for US businesses paying people abroad.

Companies like Airwallex, WorldFirst, or Payoneer handle the recurring and batch payments, invoicing, tracking, and more.

Holding & spending currencies

Multi-currency accounts

A multi-currency account like Revolut is the best for holding and receiving CRC.

This is useful for traveling to Costa Rica, building up CRC balance, or receiving payments in CRC.

Revolut converts $7,000 at 1.5% markup plus small fee and holds the CRC until you spend it.

Over the past month, it came out cheapest among multi-currency accounts on 69% of days.

Ways to fund USD and receive CRC in Costa Rica

With Regency FX, paying by bank transfer and receiving through bank deposit is the cheapest combination. Sending $7,000 gives your recipient 3,180,558.51 CRC.

Deposit USD by bank transfer, debit card, and credit card.

The simplest way is to pay from your US checking account

Pay by bank transfer using your routing and account numbers.

An ACH payment is usually cheaper than a card, but it may take some time for it to clear before a money transfer company can send the money to Costa Rica.

Zelle, Venmo and Cash App only support domestic transfers, so they cannot send money to Costa Rica.

Your recipient in Costa Rica can collect CRC through bank deposit.

  1. 1
    Bank transfer Bank deposit

    You pay $7,000.00

    ₡3,180,559

    Cheapest

  2. 2
    Debit card Bank deposit

    You pay $7,002.99

    ₡3,077,111

    -₡103,447

  3. 3
    Credit card Bank deposit

    You pay $7,177.99

    ₡3,077,111

    -₡103,447

Things to consider before sending USD to Costa Rica

The way you fund the transfer now affects the tax, while US law gives you specific rights if something goes wrong.

Find the right USD/CRC company

Cheapest way to send money to Costa Rica

The cheapest option is Regency FX, funded by bank transfer with bank deposit for the payout. Your recipient gets 3,180,558.51 CRC, which is 1.79% more than the next best option.

Fastest way to send money to Costa Rica

The fastest option is Revolut. Pay by bank transfer and choose bank deposit for the payout. Your recipient gets 3,123,498.15 CRC, with the money arriving in within minutes.

Cash-funded transfers now carry a 1% tax

Since January 1, 2026, a 1% federal tax applies when an international transfer is funded with cash, a money order, a cashier's check or a traveler's check.

Funding from a US bank account, including ACH, or with a US-issued debit or credit card is exempt.

The rule applies to how you pay in, so your recipient can still collect cash without triggering the tax.

The $10,000 rule is not a transfer limit

There is no federal cap on how much of your own money you can send electronically abroad.

Your bank or transfer company can set its own limit and ask for proof of where a large or unusual payment came from.

Cash reports and the declaration for physically carrying more than $10,000 across the US border are separate rules.

Do not split cash transactions to avoid a report.

You normally have 30 minutes to cancel

The US Remittance Transfer Rule requires a covered company to show the exchange rate, fees and expected amount received before you pay.

You can normally cancel within 30 minutes at no charge, provided the money has not been deposited or collected.

You also have error-resolution rights if the wrong amount arrives or the transfer never turns up.

Contact the company first and keep the receipt.

The CFPB explains the cancellation and error process.

Need to send a large amount of USD to Costa Rica?

For transfers over $10,000, Regency FX is the best option.

It offers the best exchange rate, which is more important than the fee for large transfers to Costa Rica.

While Regency FX may not always be the cheapest or fastest way to send CRC, they offer years of experience, and will offer you the peace of mind you need when sending large amounts abroad.

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How we analyze the market

We track, save, and analyze the cost, speed, and product offerings of the leading money transfer services available between Costa Rica and United States.


We work with leading money transfer companies to provide real time fees and exchange rates. In the past 30 days alone, we analyzed 207 comparisons across 8 amounts.

This page covers the cheapest and fastest options for USD/CRC transfers. This is how we pick them:

  • Cheapest: the company that gets your recipient the most, after fees and the exchange rate. On a tie, live pricing from the company takes priority over the rates we collect by hand.

  • Fastest: the company with the shortest estimated delivery time once you’ve paid. On a tie, the one that pays out more takes priority.

For a deeper understanding of our commitment to integrity and transparency, check out these articles:

Any tax information is for general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. Speak to a qualified tax adviser about your circumstances.