Costa Rica is a stupendous nation to go to, particularly in the event you’re within the temper for fairly seashores and jungle adventures. It has develop into the place to go to in Latin America over the previous 10 years, and for good purpose. In fact, with that recognition comes a rise in costs. Costa Rica has develop into fairly dear in comparison with its neighboring international locations, but it surely’s nonetheless low cost in comparison with standard vacationer locations in North America and even Western Europe.
After visiting the nation a number of instances and touring by a whole lot of totally different means, we predict we’ve a good suggestion of the particular prices of journey in Costa Rica. Heck, we even have good buddies who moved down there and are loving it, in addition to different buddies who owned and ran a lodge in Costa Rica for years. That is first-hand info.
So, how a lot cash do you could journey to Costa Rica, and is funds journey within the nation even doable? Let’s dive into the funds breakdown for a Costa Rica vacation.
Is It Costly To Go to Costa Rica?
![Is It Expensive To Visit Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/How-expensive-is-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
![Is It Expensive To Visit Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/How-expensive-is-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
Costa Rica is sort of an costly nation to go to. It’s dearer than different Central American international locations, but it surely’s nonetheless usually reasonably priced in comparison with the USA and Western Europe. In the event you’re coming from a rustic with a excessive value of residing, I doubt you’ll discover Costa Rica very costly.
Additionally, there are tons of how it can save you cash whereas touring Costa Rica. Skip the guided excursions and discover as a lot as you’ll be able to by yourself, and attempt to keep away from eating places that cater particularly to English-speaking vacationers. Most excursions and eating places that purpose to draw as many English-speaking guests as doable have particular costs for vacationers and cost them thrice as a lot as they do locals. If there’s not less than one fluent Spanish speaker in your group, it needs to be simple to keep away from the inflated vacationer costs when visiting Costa Rica.
On high of that, it will likely be considerably cheaper to go to the nation within the low season. Plan a visit between Might and November, and it can save you some huge cash on flights, lodging, actions, and even meals. So long as you don’t thoughts that it’s the wet season (however nonetheless heat), you’ll be able to nonetheless have a ton of enjoyable in Costa Rica.
Frequent Questions About Visiting Costa Rica
![Costa Rica Expenses](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Costs-rica-expenses-640x960.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
![Costa Rica Expenses](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Costs-rica-expenses-640x960.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
Is Costa Rica Costly For Holidays?
Costa Rica is an costly vacation vacation spot in comparison with different international locations in Central America. However in the event you select your lodge properly, benefit from the free sights, and be sensible about the place you eat, a visit to Costa Rica doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution.
What Is The Common Value of a Journey to Costa Rica?
The typical value of a visit to Costa Rica is $800-1,300 USD for mid-range vacationers. It’s doable to journey to the nation with a smaller funds of round $500, however that doesn’t embody the price of a return flight.
How A lot Does An Common Meal Value in Costa Rica?
A median meal in Costa Rica prices $15. Loads of cheaper and pricier choices can be found, however $15 ought to get you a pleasant meal in most eating places.
How A lot Cash Do You Want For 7 Days In Costa Rica?
You want not less than $1,200 for seven days in Costa Rica with lodging and a return flight (from the US). Though the nation could be explored on a smaller funds, it’s not fairly as pleasurable in the event you miss out on enjoyable actions for the sake of saving cash.
Value Of Lodging
![Accommodation cost in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Accommodation-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1203&ssl=1)
![Accommodation cost in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Accommodation-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1203&ssl=1)
Costa Rica is an efficient vacation spot for anybody as a result of the lodging choices vary from $20 dorm beds to all-inclusive resorts which can be $1,000+ per night time. Whether or not you wish to journey low cost or reside it up, one can find loads of choices in your value vary.
Funds vacationers are most certainly to remain at non-public flats, hostels, or low cost motels. The typical Costa Rican hostel fees $20 for a dormitory mattress, so the weekly funds for lodging in Costa Rica could be as little as $120. I’ll say that in the event you’re touring with one other individual, renting an condominium might be the most effective budget-friendly choice.
For about $350-400 per week, you’ll be able to lease a spacious one-bedroom condominium for 2, the place you should have a personal toilet and kitchen. Since you’ll have entry to a kitchen, you’ll be able to cook dinner most of your meals and save fairly a bit of cash on meals. And that’s on a funds of $170-200 per individual for a complete week.
A mid-range funds in Costa Rica means you’ll be able to keep in just about each kind of lodging within the nation, barring a elaborate beachfront resort with all-inclusive service. With a funds of $70-100 per night time, you’ll be able to afford the majority of the lodging within the nation.
This unbelievable five-star lodge is simply $150 per night time for 2, and this pretty cabin within the mountains is even cheaper. That’s a funds of $400-700 per individual for a complete week.
Luxurious vacationers would possibly select to remain in an all-inclusive resort. They’re ample in Costa Rica, however their value varies fairly a bit relying on the placement. An all-inclusive resort with direct seaside entry will typically run you $400-500 per night time per individual. However select a resort with out direct seaside entry, and also you’ll pay almost half that quantity for a similar degree of service. On the whole, anticipate five-star motels and all-inclusive resorts to value $300-500 per night time, per individual, so about $1,800-3,000 per week.
![Hotel costs in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Hotel-costs-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
![Hotel costs in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Hotel-costs-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
How a lot you spend on the lodge relies upon fairly a bit on the place precisely you’re staying in Costa Rica. The Caribbean coast is extra reasonably priced than the Pacific coast, largely as a result of the cities there aren’t fairly as standard with vacationers.
In the event you’re simply in search of a spot the place you’ll be able to have a relaxed trip, Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast is an equally good choice. There are many motels and resorts the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from lounging on the seaside and sipping cocktails, and also you’ll be saving cash in comparison with the resorts on the opposite facet of the nation.
One other factor to bear in mind is that when is simply as vital as the place. Journey to Costa Rica in Might or June, and also you’ll get the most effective lodge offers. It’s the start of the moist season, so the vacationer crowds are minimal, however the climate continues to be dry sufficient. Lodges are sometimes as much as 50% cheaper within the low season.
![Mid range hotel in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Mid-range-hotel-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
![Mid range hotel in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Mid-range-hotel-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
Funds:
Funds vacationers can discover lodging in Costa Rica for as little as $10 per night time. That’s if you wish to camp in a tent on the grounds of a hostel; in the event you want to have a mattress in a room and entry to a shared toilet, you’ll must spend not less than $20-25 per night time. Double rooms in funds motels and personal flats are $50-100 per night time, and a few of the motels I’ve seen that provide double rooms for $80-100 per night time are simply within the mid-range class.
Mid-Vary:
The choices for mid-range vacationers vary from secluded mountain cabins to five-star motels. In the event you can funds about $600 per individual for lodging for the week, you’ll have your choose of motels and flats throughout Costa Rica.
Luxurious:
All-inclusive beachfront resorts are the epitome of luxurious in Costa Rica. Spend your days stress-free on the seaside or by the pool, getting cocktails delivered to your lounge chair. The resorts begin at roughly $600 per night time for 2 vacationers, with many choices that exceed the nightly fee of $1,000.
Value of Transportation
![Bike Transportation in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Bike-Transportation-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1203&ssl=1)
![Bike Transportation in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Bike-Transportation-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1203&ssl=1)
In the event you’re not pressed for time and like to save cash, I say keep away from the vacationer shuttles in any respect prices and persist with good previous public transportation. Positive, they’re a bit quicker than the native buses, however they’re additionally considerably dearer. A vacationer shuttle from Monteverde to San Jose is roughly $50-70, whereas the general public bus is simply $7. The shuttle is simply an hour faster, so it’s usually not price it to spring for this mode of transport, particularly in the event you’re attempting to go to Costa Rica on a funds.
For shorter journeys, Uber is most popular to taxis. Native taxi drivers are typically sketchy and would possibly attempt to rip you off; Uber is way safer as you conform to a value beforehand. Uber can be a superb choice for transfers between two cities which can be comparatively shut to at least one one other, as it may be considerably quicker than the bus however not extraordinarily costly.
So, what must you funds for transportation?
It actually is determined by your journey type. In the event you don’t plan to spend an excessive amount of time outdoors your resort, then you definately simply must funds for the switch to and from the airport.
A tough each day funds for Costa Rica could be $15 for funds vacationers, $40 for mid-range vacationers, and round $80-100 for luxurious vacationers. And that’s since you don’t actually need to go someplace far every single day of your keep; take at some point to stroll across the metropolis, or spend a day stress-free on the seaside.
Additionally, in the event you plan to go on guided excursions to nationwide parks, cut up the price of the exercise between the funds for leisure and transportation. In the event you can set up the tour by yourself, it will likely be rather a lot cheaper, but it surely’s comprehensible in the event you want to have a information with you abroad.
The cities and cities in Costa Rica are usually walkable, so that you don’t must funds a lot to discover the vacationer sights. In the event you keep in downtown San Jose, you’ll be capable of stroll to each main attraction within the metropolis. I simply wouldn’t advocate strolling alone after darkish, as a result of some areas of the town is usually a bit sketchy within the night.
Automotive Rental In Costa Rica
![Car Rental costs in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Car-rental-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1055&ssl=1)
![Car Rental costs in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Car-rental-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1055&ssl=1)
Renting a automotive is mostly not a funds journey tip, however it may well prevent fairly a bit of cash in Costa Rica. In the event you’re planning to go to the nationwide parks and journey to extra secluded locations, automotive rental is by far the most affordable choice for getting across the nation.
Automotive rental is $55-60 per day, together with fuel and insurance coverage. That’s cheaper than the vacationer shuttle per individual, and in the event you’re touring with multiple different individual, it’s a no brainer. Having a automotive in Costa Rica additionally offers you the last word freedom to discover the nation and means that you can skip guided excursions as you don’t want to fret about transportation. Plus, you don’t want it each single day; lease a automotive for 4 days of every week’s keep, and that comes out to a transportation funds of $18 per individual for the complete week.
Driving in Costa Rica is mostly very secure, and the principle roads are in good situation. Roads off the crushed path aren’t fairly as easy; typically, there’s no asphalt, and the potholes could be fairly massive. In the event you’re contemplating automotive rental only for simple transfers between cities, you can be effective with smaller automobiles. However if you wish to discover nature and go to nationwide parks, you’ll encounter rougher roads, and I counsel a car with a excessive floor clearance. These are normally priced at $75-85 per day.
Flights to Costa Rica
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![Flying to Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Flying-to-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
The majority of your funds for transportation in Costa Rica might be allotted in the direction of the flight to the nation. In the event you’re coming from the USA, you’ll be able to normally get a superb deal on return flights to Costa Rica. Spirit Airways gives round-trip flights from Miami which can be underneath $200 per individual, which is dirt-cheap in comparison with the price of flying out of Europe.
The most cost effective round-trip flights from Europe I’ve seen have been round $700, and people have been uncommon. The typical value of a return flight from Europe to Costa Rica was $850, though you would possibly be capable of get a greater deal in the event you journey within the low season.
Value of Meals
![Cost of food in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Cost-of-food-in-costa-rica-640x960.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
![Cost of food in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Cost-of-food-in-costa-rica-640x960.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
Consuming out in Costa Rica could be dear in the event you aren’t conversant in the native methods. The principle factor to know is that many eating places have menus in Spanish and English, with larger costs on their English menus. These eating places are vacationer traps, and the meals is never nearly as good as the value would point out.
Whereas $30 for a predominant course isn’t an outrageous quantity, it’s costly in Costa Rica, the place the common value of a restaurant meal is $10-20. A $30 meal is sort of a luxurious deal with at a superb native restaurant, not only a burger and a few fries at a vacationer joint.
The important thing to consuming good however low cost in Costa Rica is to search out sodas. These are small, family-owned, hole-in-the-wall eating places that normally don’t also have a menu in English. It’s the place all of the locals eat, and you may normally have a very nice meal for simply $10. You get to eat the most effective native meals and pay the identical costs because the locals, which is essential for Costa Rica on a funds.
![Food in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Food-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
![Food in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Food-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
Additionally, it’s vital to needless to say consuming out in San Jose, Tamarindo, and La Fortuna is mostly dearer than within the smaller cities. Locations off the crushed path will supply higher offers each for lodging and meals, and it’s another excuse why it is best to think about staying in a city that’s not included in all of the vacationer guides for Central and South America.
Regardless of the place you keep and the way a lot cash you’ll be able to spend on meals in Costa Rica, listed here are some meals that it is best to purpose to attempt, even when it means you need to splurge:
- Casado is a Costa Rican dish consisting of rice, plantain, black beans, tortilla, salad, and optionally meat. It’s normally $6-10 in a restaurant, relying on whether or not it consists of meat.
- Gallo Pinto is one other conventional Costa Rican dish based mostly on beans and rice. It’s historically served for breakfast with fried eggs and normally prices 3,500-4,500 CRC ($7-9).
- Arroz con leche is to Costa Rica what Tiramisu is to Italy. It’s the most effective native dessert that you could find in just about each restaurant, and it’s so scrumptious that you simply’ll wish to eat it after each meal. The candy rice pudding is normally priced at 1,300-2,000 CRC, which is roughly $3-4.
Grocery Purchasing In Costa Rica
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![Grocery Shopping in costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Shopping-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
Funds vacationers are unlikely to eat out for each meal in Costa Rica. It can save you a good amount of cash in the event you store for groceries and cook dinner meals, particularly on longer journeys. Native grocery shops in Costa Rica are ample in reasonably priced recent fruit and greens, and you may typically get nice offers from locals promoting produce at stalls on the facet of the highway. Even simply 1,000 CRC ($2) goes a great distance in Costa Rica and is sufficient for a home-cooked meal. Pineapple is basically low cost in Costa Rica, and you may normally get three items for about $2.
A weekly funds of 25,000 CRC ($50) is sufficient to cowl breakfast and dinner for 2, in addition to drinks. It’s greatest to buy at native supermarkets; Maxi Pali even has a web-based store the place you’ll be able to try the costs and availability of elements within the closest store to you.
Additionally, many grocery shops within the greater cities in Costa Rica have a ready meals part. Meals are normally priced at 2,000-3,000 CRC ($4-6), and the parts are very beneficiant. It gained’t be the tastiest meals you eat in Costa Rica, however it’s going to maintain you full, and it’s cheaper than consuming out.
How A lot To Funds For Meals In Costa Rica
![Food Budget for Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Food-Budget-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
![Food Budget for Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Food-Budget-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1200&ssl=1)
Funds vacationers who store for groceries and eat out solely a few instances can simply get by with a funds of $50 per week. Consuming just a few vegetarian meals might be even cheaper, as recent produce is mostly very reasonably priced in Costa Rica.
Mid-range vacationers would possibly do one grocery run after which eat out for one meal per day. In the event that they persist with sodas, a funds of $100-150 per week for one individual needs to be sufficient. Some days, you’ll spend rather less, and others, you’ll spend a bit of extra, however that amount of cash needs to be sufficient to cowl all meals and drinks in Costa Rica.
Luxurious vacationers usually tend to eat for each meal except they’re staying in all-inclusive lodging. Fancy eating places in Costa Rica are fairly costly, and the value of predominant programs ranges from $25-40. A tasting menu in San Jose’s fanciest restaurant is round $110 per individual with out wine pairings, so you might simply spend north of $1,000 simply on meals in the event you wished.
However say you eat breakfast on the lodge, go to a extra reasonably priced place for lunch, and splurge for dinner. That’s a funds of $300-500 per week for meals and drinks.
Value of Actions
![Hiking in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Hiking-in-costa-rica-640x960.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
![Hiking in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Hiking-in-costa-rica-640x960.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
How a lot cash will you spend on sightseeing and actions whilst you’re in Costa Rica? That largely is determined by what you love to do; there are numerous free issues to do in Costa Rica, and you might simply discover a superb chunk of the nation with out spending something. Uncover the mountain climbing trails, swim within the sea, and stroll round San Jose, marveling on the structure and the native vibes.
However if you wish to go to a preferred place like Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park, or get pleasure from a day of deep-sea fishing, the prices rapidly add up. I like how Costa Rica is nice each for vacationers preferring to discover the free actions and for many who wish to expertise these bucket listing adventures. The latter goes to be the pricier various, however price it for the expertise.
One factor to notice is that lots of the touristy issues to do in Costa Rica have particular costs for foreigners, which permits them to maintain the prices low for locals. It’s a bit infuriating to pay $20 for one thing that’s free for many different folks, however that’s simply a part of touring to Costa Rica.
![Jungle trekking in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Jungle-trekking-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1068&ssl=1)
![Jungle trekking in Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Jungle-trekking-in-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1068&ssl=1)
Funds vacationers are prone to persist with free actions and revel in 2-3 paid excursions throughout their keep. A tough funds of $20 per exercise offers you all kinds of choices, because it covers all the pieces from kayaking to nationwide park entrances and entry to waterfalls. A weekly funds might be as little as $50, however I like to recommend growing it as a result of the actions are the most effective factor about Costa Rica. In the event you can handle a weekly funds of $100 for leisure, you’ll be able to even squeeze in one of many pricier experiences like ziplining in Monteverde or La Fortuna’s hanging bridges.
Mid-range vacationers will in all probability wish to do one thing enjoyable every single day of their keep. A weekly funds of $150-200 needs to be sufficient to find Costa Rica’s pure magnificence and have enjoyable the complete time.
Luxurious vacationers are most certainly to spring for dear actions like scuba diving or white water rafting. In the event you’re doing one thing that prices $100 every single day, you’ll be able to simply spend $600-700 for every week in Costa Rica.
Funds For 1 Week in Costa Rica
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![One week budget for costa rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/one-week-budget-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1066&ssl=1)
Right here’s a breakdown of a mid-range funds for one week in Costa Rica:
- $600 for lodging
- $150 meals
- $250 for transportation
- $200 for actions
- $200 (US) – $850 (Europe) for flights
That’s round $1,200 per individual for a complete week, not together with the return flight. And be mindful I’ve allotted a better funds for meals and actions; in the event you have been to spend a few days having fun with the free issues to do in Costa Rica and eat out much less regularly, you might simply get by with a funds of $1,000 per week.
Funds vacationers can expertise Costa Rica for $400-500 in every week, whereas luxurious vacationers will spend not less than $2,500. I need to say that, for luxurious vacationers, reserving an all-inclusive resort drastically reduces the funds for meals and drinks.
Funds For two Weeks in Costa Rica
![Two week budget for Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Two-week-budget-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1067&ssl=1)
![Two week budget for Costa Rica](https://i0.wp.com/theplanetd.com/images/Two-week-budget-costa-rica.jpg?resize=1600%2C1067&ssl=1)
A two-week funds for a mid-range traveler in Costa Rica is just about simply double the weekly funds:
- $1,200 for lodging
- $300 meals
- $500 for transportation
- $400 for actions
- $200 (US) – $850 (Europe) for flights
Funds vacationers could make do with $800-1,000 for 2 weeks, whereas mid-range vacationers want $2,000-2,500 for the most effective expertise. Luxurious vacationers are prone to spend not less than $5,000 for an all-inclusive two-week trip in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is certainly one among our favorite international locations in Latin America. It doesn’t actually matter if you’re a backpacker on a funds or somebody in search of luxurious; you’re assured to have an incredible journey. Whereas it’s true that Costa Rica just isn’t the most affordable vacation spot in Central America, that doesn’t imply it’s going to break the financial institution both. In the event you comply with our strategies above, it is possible for you to to journey Costa Rica realizing which you could maintain your funds the place you want it and have a good time as effectively.