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Buenas Tardes, I get my social security direct deposited into my Banco de Costa Rica account every month.The U.S.government charges me $6.00 to do this.I set this up through The U.S.Embassy social security office.They have a ph.# on the embassy website.You can transfer funds from CitiBank to Costa Rica but they charge $40,and sometimes the receiving bank here in C.R. has a charge also.I have a CitiBank account also because my work pension does not direct deposit internationally. Your CitiBank card will work anywhere here in Costa Rica,including ATM machines,but the draw-back to that is a foreign transaction fee is charged to you by Citi. ATM withdrawals are about $5.00 apiece so that can add up,whereas purchases at stores are about 2% of the purchase price.If I could direct-deposit my work pension here to C.R. I would ,but I cant,so I'm stuck with CitiBank and their outrageous fees.The other bad thing about CitiBank is I've orderd a new CitiBank debit card 4 times now,since last August to be exact,because my old one will expire soon.Each time I call Citi I wait on hold for over an hour,and order a new one,very frustrating. They won't give me a tracking number so who knows where it goes.When you come here you will see that there are no street names or house adresses,so getting mail delivered to your house is sketchy at best.That said I still receive all correspondence from the U.S.government  (voting ballots,social security 1040 for taxes)my union stuff,and mail from my mother no problem.I would suggest getting a P.O.box at the local Post Office once you are settled here in Costa Rica.I've orderd one but am on a list,they say 5 year wait.Have patients when you arrive here your going to need it,,,pura vida..

While banking is now easier in Costa Rica, know that as non residents or 'tourists,' they are only allowed to deposit up to $1,000 USD into their accounts each month. Plus they are limited to transferring funds to other banks.