5,000 Costa Rican Colones polymer banknote (Alfredo González Flores)

5,000 Colones (Issued 2018)

Costa Rica’s vibrant natural and cultural heritage is woven into every detail of the 5,000 Colones polymer banknote issued in 2018 by the Banco Central de Costa Rica. The note honours Alfredo González Flores, the reformist Costa Rican president who served from 1914 to 1917 and championed fiscal and social reform during a transformative period in the nation’s history. Alongside this human legacy, the note celebrates the extraordinary biodiversity of Costa Rica’s mangrove ecosystems, reflecting the deep national pride Costa Ricans take in their environmental stewardship. Together, the portrait and natural imagery encapsulate a country that values both its progressive civic traditions and its remarkable ecological wealth.

On the front, the dominant feature is a finely engraved portrait of Alfredo González Flores, positioned to the left of centre against a warm golden-yellow background that characterises the overall palette of the note. His face is rendered in detailed intaglio-style engraving, capturing a young man with a neat moustache and formal attire, conveying the gravity of his political office. Immediately below the portrait, his name — ALFREDO GONZÁLEZ FLORES — is printed in small, clear typography. To the left of the portrait sits a vivid green map of Costa Rica with a bright emerald colouring that draws the eye, accompanied by decorative guilloché patterning across the lower left field of the note in golden tones. Behind the portrait, a detailed architectural engraving of a grand neoclassical building — identifiable as the Costa Rican National Theatre — is rendered in blue-purple ink, providing a striking contrast to the golden foreground. In the upper portion of the note, text reads “ACUERDO No. 5” and “SERIE” with the date “14 de septiembre de 2018” printed clearly, alongside the series designation “C”. Two facsimile signatures appear in the upper left region, one above the title “PRESIDENTE” and another above “GERENTE”, both rendered in dark ink. The large numeral “5” is printed in bold, stylised golden typography in the lower centre of the note with the word “MIL” directly below it and “COLONES” beneath that, forming the denomination statement “5 MIL COLONES”. Along the right-hand vertical edge, the text “COSTA RICA” is printed vertically in bold lettering. A transparent polymer window occupies the far right portion of the note, incorporating a holographic or optically variable element in dark purple-grey tones, within which a small secondary portrait, likely also of González Flores, is faintly visible. The denomination “5000” appears repeatedly in the background guilloché design across the lower register, and the entire note is printed on a polymer substrate with a characteristically smooth surface and sharp, precise registration of all printed elements.

The reverse features a strikingly vibrant composition dominated by a large, naturalistically rendered white-faced capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus), depicted in brown and white tones seated upon a tree branch amid lush green mangrove forest scenery. The word “MANGLAR” — the Spanish term for mangrove — is printed in the upper right area, identifying the ecosystem theme of this side of the note. The issuing authority’s name, “BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA”, is printed prominently in dark text across the top of the note. The serial number “C000881756” appears twice: once horizontally in the upper right in bold black numerals and once vertically along the left edge, providing dual registration for security purposes. On the far left, the transparent polymer window visible from the front appears here as a clear oval zone, within which a ghosted portrait — again consistent with González Flores — is visible as a watermark-style image. Bright yellow tropical flowers frame the left and right margins, adding decorative botanical detail consistent with Costa Rica’s floral biodiversity. A green oval holographic security element is visible to the right of the monkey, displaying colour-shifting properties. Small text labels with descriptive captions appear adjacent to elements in the composition, identifying species in fine print. The denomination “5 MIL COLONES” is repeated in the lower right in the same bold golden typography as the front, and the numeral “5000” appears vertically along the left margin in yellow. The overall colour palette transitions from deep green at the centre through golden yellow at the margins, producing a rich, layered visual that reflects the warmth and biodiversity of Costa Rica’s tropical landscapes.

Sell foreign coins and banknotes the simple way: this 5,000 Colones banknote can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com together with other current Costa Rican Colones banknotes, all settled in a single transaction.

• Indicate the quantity of 5,000 Colones banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Exchange foreign coins and banknotes the easy way — Webuyallcurrency.com buys Costa Rican Colones banknotes, current or discontinued, and combines them with the rest of your leftover currency for one simple payment.

Other Costa Rican Colones you can exchange: 1,000 colones, 2,000 colones, 10,000 colones, 20,000 colones, 50,000 colones, 500 colones.