Banking in Costa Rica

I brought a cashiers check with me for the money that I would need for the year.  The school recommended we deposit our money in one of the two state run banks that they do all their business with.  The bank told me that they would be holding my check for 5 weeks until I could access my funds.  It would have been helpful to know about this ahead of my arrival.  One of the people in the the Dean's office was able to help me get a cash advance of funds by speaking to the bank manager.  It's all about having connections!