The currency is called the Leones ('Lee-owns'). So far, my exposure to the currency hasn't been much. You can pay in US but get change in local currency. There are both coins and paper. The paper is old, torn, dirty, and threadbare. Both coins and paper are pretty much worthless. The biggest bill I've seen so far, the 10,000, is worth about US$3.44. If you do the math, you'll find the exchange rate at one USD equals 2900 Leones. Most of my Leones end up in the church collection plate.