What is the cheapest way to send money from the UK to Costa Rica(Central America) REMEMBER-FROM UK NOT USA :-)?

I need to send money from the UK to Costa Rica.

When I was in the USA this was obviously much more straightforward. Here in the UK (note: I no longer hold a US bank account) the Pound doesn't facilitate the transfer of money to Central America so easily.

I am well aware of Moneygram, Western Union and PayPal but all these will cost around £40-50 to send £1250 into a Colones Currency bank account in Costa Rica. (The person I'm sending to does not (currently) hold a bank account in US Dollars in Costa Rica if that would make any difference.)

Does ANYONE know the CHEAPEST way - NOT the fastest way - for me to get the money into this Costa Rican bank account (Banco de Costa Rica - BCR).

Is there anyone of you out there who has expert knowledge in these type of things that can help me? And as I said I am sending money from the UK, not the USA!!

10 points are guaranteed for the person who finds me the cheapest method and which proves pretty much correct when I send it!!

Thanks to all of you in advance!!

If you haven't already checked with the banks here, you should. Take a look at the attached link. It has a nice comparison of bank transfer charges. You will find that Bank of Scotland and HSBC charge less for electronic transfer.

You will need the SWIFT or BIC code for Banco de Costa Rica.