Is Costa Rica Expensive? Our Budget Travel Guide
How much do you need when traveling around Costa Rica?
One of the most popular countries you can visit in all of Central America, Costa Rica is already well-known for its beauty and variety of unforgettable experiences.
Here we can hike through the tropical rainforest, see many exotic animals and even participate in baby turtle releases at the right time of year.
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when traveling Costa Rica, such as for accommodation, food and getting around. As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Is Costa Rica Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: Costa Rica is the most expensive country you can visit in Central America (and a good contender for all of Latin America), mostly due to its expanding vacation sector.
When backpacking Costa Rica, we recommend setting a daily budget of roughly $30-35 a day. This will be a solid amount for staying in a comfortable dorm room, eating local meals as well as for using public transport to get around cities and regions.
Those who are looking for a more luxurious experience can expect to spend between $45-55 a day in Costa Rica. With this budget you can stay in a sleek private room, eat out at nicer restaurants and also take Ubers more frequently.
Things to know before traveling to Costa Rica
- Giant Biological Diversity – Costa Rica is one of the most endemic places on the planet, and as such is a perfect place to come and see a variety of exotic species. This includes Leatherback Turtles, Capuchin Monkeys, Toucans, Tapir, the Red-eyed Tree Frog and more. Be sure to head on a night jungle tour when exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
- The Lowdown On The Safety Situation – In general Costa Rica is a really safe country to visit, and especially so in the beach towns such as Puerto Viejo, Santa Teresa and around the Manuel Antonio National Park. However in San José it can feel rough around the edges at times, so always leave valuables in your room and take any necessary safety precautions.
- Choosing The Right Season – The dry season (which runs from December to April) is by far the best time to come, where we can have perfect beach weather and lively backpacker scenes. The wet season (from May until November) is less preferred, however it will be advantageous for those who dislike crowds and don’t mind the odd shower here or there. Be sure to learn more about the best time to visit Costa Rica for more ideas on when to travel here.
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How much does a trip to Costa Rica cost?
Budget travelers and backpackers can expect to spend roughly $30-35 a day in Costa Rica, whilst those who want an upgrade in experience (such as private rooms, eating in nicer establishments) can budget for around $45-55 a day.
This budget only covers accommodation, food and a few extras (like beers, a walking tour or entrance etc). Other costs such as flights and day tours will need to be planned with a different budget in mind. Also, when it comes to getting around, bear in mind that traveling solo in Costa Rica will cost more than if traveling in two or with a small group.
Cost of Accommodation in Costa Rica
In general, costs for a dorm bed or room are going to be more expensive in Costa Rica than in other Central American countries. A dorm bed usually goes for between $8-12, however this can also increase during the high tourist seasons.
The upside is that these hostels are usually well-run, are located in great areas and are very social (great for meeting lots of other like-minded travelers). When in San José we recommend staying at the Hostel Casa Ridgway, which is well-located close to many attractions and includes breakfast in the room rate.
Given the large-scale expansion of tourism in Costa Rica, we’ll also find an abundance of private rooms and more fancy resorts. Again expect to pay more for the added luxury here than elsewhere, which can start from around $20-30+ a night.
If you are looking for a more private stay in Puerto Viejo, then we suggest staying at the Casa Bohö, which is a beautiful room just outside the town center.
Cost of Food in Costa Rica
After accommodation, you’ll find that your next biggest daily outlay will be on food. In Costa Rica there are many tasty dishes to tuck into, which include Chifrijo and the national dish of Gallo Pinto.
Whilst more expensive than other Central American countries, it’s still possible to stick to a low budget here by eating lots of street food. There are many vendors in most parts that sell both local and international meals, and will cost between $4-6 per meal.
As you can imagine, prices quickly soar when looking for more luxurious meals. In the more popular, touristy parts (such as Puerto Viejo) we can find restaurants that cost over $10 per meal. So if looking for nicer eating options, be prepared for a higher daily budget.
Cost of Transportation in Costa Rica
If there is one place that we can save on costs when traveling around Costa Rica, it’s with the transport. Using local colectivos and buses is a great way to balance your outgoings, and you’ll find distances are pretty small here anyway.
You’ll also find local buses to be similar prices to that of neighboring Panama and Nicaragua. Once in San José (which is right in the middle of Costa Rica), most destinations in the north or south can be reached in just a few hours by bus.
For example, the bus from San José to Puerto Viejo takes between 4-5 hours, and will cost just under $15.
You can also pre-book shuttles to cover trips more comfortably, and also on hours where buses wouldn’t otherwise run. Just keep in mind that prices can be a lot more than the usual cost of a bus.
Cost of Tours & Attractions in Costa Rica
Heading on tours is a really big part of the backpacking experience in Costa Rica, and there are many incredible things to see and do throughout this diverse country.
The price of a tour generally isn’t too much, although it’s really worth browsing around before buying (remember that a lot of agencies will offer USA-based prices given the amount of Americans both traveling and living here).
A great example is the Night Tour in Monteverde, and we suggest heading on this organized tour where you will spot lots of exotic wildlife including Snakes, Frogs, Tarantulas and even Ocelots.
There are also some more expensive experiences that are totally worth paying more for. This includes visiting Tortuga Island, which is known for its postcard-perfect beaches and abundance of dolphins. You can head here with this day trip from San José, which includes all transport, lunch and a snorkeling tour.
Costa Rica FAQs
Here are some questions our readers ask when it comes to visiting Costa Rica:
Is Costa Rica Expensive for Tourists?
And that’s all for our guide on how expensive Costa Rica is.
Known for its incredible wildlife and lively backpacker scenes, Costa Rica is a really popular country to travel around. The costs here tend to be more expensive than the rest of Central America, however with some determination you can easily stick to a relatively low budget when here.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around Costa Rica. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
Read our Costa Rica Itinerary for more ideas on how to plan your perfect trip here.
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