Have you ever taken an island beach trip and gone off grid? Have you ever separated from the travel group to do your own thing? Here is some unusual travel advice from our trip to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Travel Story
When my friend and I went to Costa Rica, I decided to go scuba diving one morning without her. I didn’t have local cell phone coverage, but we agreed to meet at a specific time and place with a little wiggle room for my diving schedule (I know I know, does this even happen anymore?). I hopped in a taxi and went to the dive center. I enjoyed two morning dives along the coast and as I started heading back, I realized I didn’t have enough cash for another taxi ride. I stopped at a local bank and used their ATM. However, after receiving cash, I guess I waited too long putting it away and the ATM claimed my debit card. For good. And it was Saturday. But lucky for me, this Costa Rican bank was open for half a day. I went inside and with my very broken Spanish informed them of my mistake. Lucky break #2: I was actually carrying my passport on me (something I never do) and something that was required by the bank to provide my identity and receive my debit card back. After waiting several hours for the usual bank traffic to clear out and someone to finally come to open the ATM, I was able to retrieve my card. I rushed back to our designated meet point and was delighted to find a very hungry, very worried, but very excited friend! “I’ve been mentally preparing my speech to your parents to try and explain why I lost you and ways I can contact the embassy,” she exclaimed!
Definite Lucky Breaks (or my guardian angel doing some extra work):
I was carrying my passport
The bank was open on a Saturday
My rusty Spanish was passable enough to explain the situation (since I didn’t have a working phone/translator)
My friend continued to stay in the designated place even for several hours after our agreed meeting time
Surefire Cons to this Situation:
My phone didn’t work (no cell service in Costa Rica or Wi-fi at the bank)
My card had been eaten by the machine, which I might remind you was due to my stupidity
I didn’t have a backup card or way to contact my friend
So, what did we learn? Let’s be clear, this was a narrowly avoided disaster and the absolute last time I didn’t have a means of communicating (or extra debit/credit cards) for my travels.
Tips for Using ATMs when Abroad
Whenever possible, use ATMs during daylight hours in well-populated areas to reduce the risk of theft or tampering.
Look for signs of skimming devices, such as loose card slots, unusual keypads, or parts that look out of place. If anything seems suspicious, find another ATM.
Be aware of people standing too close who might try to observe your PIN. Shield the keypad and maintain a safe distance from others while at the ATM.
Some ATMs might offer dynamic currency conversion, which lets you withdraw in your home currency. This often comes with unfavorable exchange rates. Always choose to withdraw in the local currency to avoid these extra charges.
Carry more than one debit or credit card, ideally from different banks, in case one card is lost, stolen, or compromised. Don’t put them in the same place for safekeeping.
Familiarize yourself with the local emergency contact numbers, including those for reporting lost or stolen cards.
Set up mobile banking with your bank’s app to monitor your account and quickly respond to any suspicious activity.
By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can minimize risks and safely use ATMs during your travels. For more information on the best debit cards for travel, see my blog post here.
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