SpanishSpeakingPractice🇨🇷 Costa Rica guide

Opening a bank account in Costa Rica

What to say at BAC, BCR or Banco Nacional in San José or Tamarindo.

Costa Rican banks split into públicos (BCR, Banco Nacional, Popular) and privados (BAC Credomatic, Scotiabank, Davivienda). BAC is the expat favorite — best app, cards that work abroad, English-friendly staff in Escazú and Santa Ana.

Most banks require a DIMEX (residency card) for full accounts, though BAC and Scotiabank will sometimes open a basic account with just a passport plus a DIMEX-in-progress letter. The appointment is in Spanish, polite-usted, and paperwork-heavy.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
cuenta de ahorrossavings account
cuenta corrientechecking account
DIMEXCosta Rican residency ID
pasaportepassport
comprobante de domicilioproof of address
carta patronalemployer letter
estados de cuentabank statements
formulario conozca a su clienteKYC form
PEPpolitically exposed person disclosure
SINPE MóvilCosta Rican instant transfer app — ubiquitous
tarjeta de débitodebit card
clave dinámica / tokendynamic PIN
actividad económicadeclared economic activity
comisión mensualmonthly fee
ejecutivo / ejecutivabank advisor

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

Asking what you need by phone

You call BAC Escazú before going in.

  • You

    Buenos días, quisiera abrir una cuenta de ahorros. Soy extranjero. ¿Qué documentos necesito?

    Good morning, I'd like to open a savings account. I'm a foreigner. What documents do I need?

  • Ejecutivo

    ¿Usted ya tiene DIMEX o está en trámite?

    Do you already have a DIMEX or is it in process?

  • You

    Está en trámite. Solo tengo pasaporte y el comprobante de Migración.

    It's in process. I only have my passport and the Migration receipt.

  • Ejecutivo

    Diay, con eso le podemos abrir una cuenta básica. Traiga también un recibo de servicios a su nombre.

    Well, with that we can open a basic account. Also bring a utility bill in your name.

At the branch with the ejecutivo

BAC Multiplaza, sitting with the ejecutivo.

  • Ejecutivo

    Pura vida, ¿en qué le puedo servir hoy?

    Hello, how can I help you today?

  • You

    Quiero abrir una cuenta de ahorros en colones y otra en dólares.

    I want to open a savings account in colones and another in dollars.

  • Ejecutivo

    Perfecto. ¿Me regala el pasaporte y el comprobante de domicilio?

    Perfect. May I have your passport and proof of address?

  • You

    Aquí están. También traigo carta patronal y mis estados de cuenta del exterior.

    Here they are. I also brought my employer letter and foreign bank statements.

  • Ejecutivo

    Bien. ¿Cuál va a ser la actividad económica? ¿Y aproximadamente cuánto ingresa al mes?

    Good. What's the economic activity? And roughly how much comes in per month?

  • You

    Trabajo remoto en tecnología, alrededor de cuatro mil dólares al mes.

    Remote tech work, about $4,000 per month.

  • Ejecutivo

    Le voy a pedir que llene el formulario PEP y conozca a su cliente.

    I'll ask you to fill out the PEP and KYC form.

  • You

    Listo. ¿Cuánto tarda la tarjeta?

    Done. How long does the card take?

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Costa Rica local tips

BAC is the expat default

Best app, Visa cards that work cleanly abroad, and bilingual ejecutivos in Escazú, Santa Ana and Tamarindo. Open here first if you can.

SINPE Móvil is the local Venmo

Once your account is open you can send and receive money to any Costa Rican number via SINPE Móvil — landlords, the soda, and SINPE-only tour operators all use it.

Carry the DIMEX, not the passport

Once issued, the DIMEX is enough for any bank transaction. Locking your passport at home reduces risk.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Call a bank in usted and ask which papers you need as a foreigner without DIMEX.
  2. 02Explain that you work remotely and roughly how much you earn monthly.
  3. 03Ask 3 questions about fees, the dollar account, and how long the card takes.
  4. 04Ask politely for the ejecutivo to repeat or slow down without sounding rude.

FAQs

Can I open a Costa Rican bank account on a tourist visa?

Usually no for a full account — most banks require DIMEX. BAC and Scotiabank occasionally open a limited account with passport + DIMEX-in-process letter. SINPE Móvil through fintechs is the workaround.

Which Costa Rican bank is best for expats?

BAC Credomatic for the app, international cards and English support. BCR or Banco Nacional if you prefer state-backed and don't mind older interfaces.

Do I need a colones or dollars account?

Most expats open both: colones for SINPE and daily expenses, dollars for savings and incoming transfers. Costa Rican banks make dual accounts simple.

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