Costa Rica is a stupendous nation to go to, particularly if you happen to’re within the temper for fairly seashores and jungle adventures. It has change into the place to go to in Latin America over the previous 10 years, and for good cause. After all, with that recognition comes a rise in costs. Costa Rica has change into fairly expensive in comparison with its neighboring nations, however it’s nonetheless low cost in comparison with in style vacationer locations in North America and even Western Europe.
After visiting the nation a number of occasions and touring by numerous completely different means, we expect we now have a good suggestion of the particular prices of journey in Costa Rica. Heck, we even have good associates who moved down there and are loving it, in addition to different associates who owned and ran a resort in Costa Rica for years. That is first-hand info.
So, how a lot cash do it’s essential journey to Costa Rica, and is price range journey within the nation even doable? Let’s dive into the price range breakdown for a Costa Rica vacation.
Is It Costly To Go to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is type of an costly nation to go to. It’s costlier than different Central American nations, however it’s nonetheless typically reasonably priced in comparison with the US and Western Europe. If you happen to’re coming from a rustic with a excessive price of dwelling, I doubt you’ll discover Costa Rica very costly.
Additionally, there are tons of the way it can save you cash whereas touring Costa Rica. Skip the guided excursions and discover as a lot as you possibly can by yourself, and attempt to keep away from eating places that cater particularly to English-speaking vacationers. Most excursions and eating places that intention 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 at the very least 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 prime of that, it is going to be considerably cheaper to go to the nation within the low season. Plan a visit between Could 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 possibly can nonetheless have a ton of enjoyable in Costa Rica.
Widespread Questions About Visiting Costa Rica
Is Costa Rica Costly For Holidays?
Costa Rica is an costly vacation vacation spot in comparison with different nations in Central America. However if you happen to select your resort properly, benefit from the free points of interest, and be good about the place you eat, a visit to Costa Rica doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution.
What Is The Common Price of a Journey to Costa Rica?
The common price 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 price range of round $500, however that doesn’t embrace the price of a return flight.
How A lot Does An Common Meal Price 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 at the very least $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 price range, it’s not fairly as gratifying if you happen to miss out on enjoyable actions for the sake of saving cash.
Price Of Lodging
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 are $1,000+ per night time. Whether or not you need to journey low cost or stay it up, you’ll find loads of choices in your value vary.
Finances vacationers are more than likely to remain at personal residences, hostels, or low cost resorts. The common Costa Rican hostel prices $20 for a dormitory mattress, so the weekly price range for lodging in Costa Rica could be as little as $120. I’ll say that if you happen to’re touring with one other particular person, renting an condo might be the perfect budget-friendly choice.
For about $350-400 per week, you possibly can lease a spacious one-bedroom condo for 2, the place you’ll have a non-public rest room and kitchen. Since you’ll have entry to a kitchen, you possibly can cook dinner most of your meals and save fairly a bit of cash on meals. And that’s on a price range of $170-200 per particular person for a whole week.
A mid-range price range in Costa Rica means you possibly can keep in just about each kind of lodging within the nation, barring a elaborate beachfront resort with all-inclusive service. With a price range of $70-100 per night time, you possibly can afford the majority of the lodging within the nation.
This improbable five-star resort is simply $150 per night time for 2, and this beautiful cabin within the mountains is even cheaper. That’s a price range of $400-700 per particular person for a whole week.
Luxurious vacationers may select to remain in an all-inclusive resort. They’re ample in Costa Rica, however their price varies fairly a bit relying on the situation. An all-inclusive resort with direct seashore entry will typically run you $400-500 per night time per particular person. However select a resort with out direct seashore entry, and also you’ll pay almost half that quantity for a similar stage of service. On the whole, anticipate five-star resorts and all-inclusive resorts to price $300-500 per night time, per particular person, so about $1,800-3,000 per week.
How a lot you spend on the resort 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 in style with vacationers.
If you happen to’re simply in search of a spot the place you possibly can have a relaxed trip, Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast is an equally good choice. There are many resorts and resorts the place you possibly can get pleasure from lounging on the seashore and sipping cocktails, and also you’ll be saving cash in comparison with the resorts on the opposite aspect of the nation.
One other factor to remember is that when is simply as essential as the place. Journey to Costa Rica in Could or June, and also you’ll get the perfect resort offers. It’s the start of the moist season, so the vacationer crowds are minimal, however the climate remains to be dry sufficient. Inns are sometimes as much as 50% cheaper within the low season.
Finances:
Finances 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; if you happen to desire to have a mattress in a room and entry to a shared rest room, you’ll must spend at the very least $20-25 per night time. Double rooms in price range resorts and personal residences are $50-100 per night time, and a few of the resorts I’ve seen that supply 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 resorts. If you happen to can price range about $600 per particular person for lodging for the week, you’ll have your choose of resorts and residences throughout Costa Rica.
Luxurious:
All-inclusive beachfront resorts are the epitome of luxurious in Costa Rica. Spend your days enjoyable on the seashore 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 price of $1,000.
Price of Transportation
If you happen to’re not pressed for time and like to economize, I say keep away from the vacationer shuttles in any respect prices and follow good previous public transportation. Positive, they’re a bit quicker than the native buses, however they’re additionally considerably costlier. A vacationer shuttle from Monteverde to San Jose is roughly $50-70, whereas the general public bus is simply $7. The shuttle is just an hour faster, so it’s typically not price it to spring for this mode of transport, particularly if you happen to’re attempting to go to Costa Rica on a price range.
For shorter journeys, Uber is most popular to taxis. Native taxi drivers are generally sketchy and may attempt to rip you off; Uber is far safer as you comply with a value beforehand. Uber can be a great choice for transfers between two cities which are 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 price range for transportation?
It actually is dependent upon your journey type. If you happen to don’t plan to spend an excessive amount of time exterior your resort, you then simply must price range for the switch to and from the airport.
A tough day by day price range for Costa Rica can be $15 for price range vacationers, $40 for mid-range vacationers, and round $80-100 for luxurious vacationers. And that’s since you don’t really want to go someplace far day-after-day of your keep; take at some point to stroll across the metropolis, or spend a day enjoyable on the seashore.
Additionally, if you happen to plan to go on guided excursions to nationwide parks, cut up the price of the exercise between the price range for leisure and transportation. If you happen to can set up the tour by yourself, it is going to be quite a bit cheaper, however it’s comprehensible if you happen to desire to have a information with you out of the country.
The cities and cities in Costa Rica are typically walkable, so that you don’t must price range a lot to discover the vacationer points of interest. If you happen to keep in downtown San Jose, you’ll be capable to stroll to each main attraction within the metropolis. I simply wouldn’t suggest strolling alone after darkish, as a result of some areas of the town could be a bit sketchy within the night.
Automotive Rental In Costa Rica
Renting a automotive is mostly not a price range journey tip, however it could prevent fairly a bit of cash in Costa Rica. If you happen to’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 particular person, and if you happen to’re touring with multiple different particular person, it’s a no brainer. Having a automotive in Costa Rica additionally provides you the final 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 per week’s keep, and that comes out to a transportation price range of $18 per particular person for your complete week.
Driving in Costa Rica is mostly very secure, and the principle roads are in good situation. Roads off the overwhelmed path aren’t fairly as clean; typically, there’s no asphalt, and the potholes could be fairly huge. If you happen to’re contemplating automotive rental only for simple transfers between cities, you can be high-quality 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
The majority of your price range for transportation in Costa Rica can be allotted in the direction of the flight to the nation. If you happen to’re coming from the US, you possibly can normally get a great deal on return flights to Costa Rica. Spirit Airways gives round-trip flights from Miami which are underneath $200 per particular person, which is dirt-cheap in comparison with the price of flying out of Europe.
The most affordable round-trip flights from Europe I’ve seen have been round $700, and people have been uncommon. The common price of a return flight from Europe to Costa Rica was $850, though you may be capable to get a greater deal if you happen to journey within the low season.
Price of Meals
Consuming out in Costa Rica could be expensive if you happen to aren’t acquainted with the native methods. The principle factor to know is that many eating places have menus in Spanish and English, with increased costs on their English menus. These eating places are vacationer traps, and the meals isn’t nearly as good as the worth would point out.
Whereas $30 for a most important course isn’t an outrageous quantity, it’s costly in Costa Rica, the place the typical price of a restaurant meal is $10-20. A $30 meal is sort of a luxurious deal with at a great 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 hunt down 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’ll normally have a very nice meal for simply $10. You get to eat the perfect native meals and pay the identical costs because the locals, which is vital for Costa Rica on a price range.
Additionally, it’s essential to remember that consuming out in San Jose, Tamarindo, and La Fortuna is mostly costlier than within the smaller cities. Locations off the overwhelmed path will provide higher offers each for lodging and meals, and it’s one more reason why it’s 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 below are some meals that it’s best to intention to attempt, even when it means it’s important 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 perfect native dessert that you could find in just about each restaurant, and it’s so scrumptious that you just’ll need 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 Procuring In Costa Rica
Finances vacationers are unlikely to eat out for each meal in Costa Rica. It can save you a good amount of cash if you happen to store for groceries and cook dinner meals, particularly on longer journeys. Native grocery shops in Costa Rica are ample in reasonably priced contemporary fruit and greens, and you’ll typically get nice offers from locals promoting produce at stalls on the aspect of the highway. Even simply 1,000 CRC ($2) goes a good distance in Costa Rica and is sufficient for a home-cooked meal. Pineapple is basically low cost in Costa Rica, and you’ll normally get three items for about $2.
A weekly price range 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 possibly can 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 would hold you full, and it’s cheaper than consuming out.
How A lot To Finances For Meals In Costa Rica
Finances vacationers who store for groceries and eat out solely a few occasions can simply get by with a price range of $50 per week. Consuming a number of vegetarian meals can be even cheaper, as contemporary produce is mostly very reasonably priced in Costa Rica.
Mid-range vacationers may do one grocery run after which eat out for one meal per day. In the event that they follow sodas, a price range of $100-150 per week for one particular person needs to be sufficient. Some days, you’ll spend rather less, and others, you’ll spend a little bit 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 worth of most important programs ranges from $25-40. A tasting menu in San Jose’s fanciest restaurant is round $110 per particular person with out wine pairings, so you may simply spend north of $1,000 simply on meals if you happen to needed.
However say you eat breakfast on the resort, go to a extra reasonably priced place for lunch, and splurge for dinner. That’s a price range of $300-500 per week for meals and drinks.
Price of Actions
How a lot cash will you spend on sightseeing and actions when you’re in Costa Rica? That largely is dependent upon what you love to do; there are lots of free issues to do in Costa Rica, and you may simply discover a great 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 well-liked 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 individuals who need to expertise these bucket record adventures. The latter goes to be the pricier various, however price it for the expertise.
One factor to notice is that most 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 individuals, however that’s simply a part of touring to Costa Rica.
Finances vacationers are prone to follow free actions and revel in 2-3 paid excursions throughout their keep. A tough price range of $20 per exercise provides you all kinds of choices, because it covers every part from kayaking to nationwide park entrances and entry to waterfalls. A weekly price range could possibly be as little as $50, however I like to recommend growing it as a result of the actions are the perfect factor about Costa Rica. If you happen to can handle a weekly price range of $100 for leisure, you possibly can even squeeze in one of many pricier experiences like ziplining in Monteverde or La Fortuna’s hanging bridges.
Mid-range vacationers will most likely need to do one thing enjoyable day-after-day of their keep. A weekly price range of $150-200 needs to be sufficient to find Costa Rica’s pure magnificence and have enjoyable your complete time.
Luxurious vacationers are more than likely to spring for expensive actions like scuba diving or white water rafting. If you happen to’re doing one thing that prices $100 day-after-day, you possibly can simply spend $600-700 for per week in Costa Rica.
Finances For 1 Week in Costa Rica
Right here’s a breakdown of a mid-range price range 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 particular person for a whole week, not together with the return flight. And take note I’ve allotted the next price range for meals and actions; if you happen to have been to spend a few days having fun with the free issues to do in Costa Rica and eat out much less incessantly, you may simply get by with a price range of $1,000 per week.
Finances vacationers can expertise Costa Rica for $400-500 in per week, whereas luxurious vacationers will spend at the very least $2,500. I have to say that, for luxurious vacationers, reserving an all-inclusive resort drastically reduces the price range for meals and drinks.
Finances For two Weeks in Costa Rica
A two-week price range for a mid-range traveler in Costa Rica is just about simply double the weekly price range:
- $1,200 for lodging
- $300 meals
- $500 for transportation
- $400 for actions
- $200 (US) – $850 (Europe) for flights
Finances vacationers could make do with $800-1,000 for 2 weeks, whereas mid-range vacationers want $2,000-2,500 for the perfect expertise. Luxurious vacationers are prone to spend at the very least $5,000 for an all-inclusive two-week trip in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is certainly certainly one of our favorite nations in Latin America. It doesn’t actually matter in case you are a backpacker on a price range or somebody in search of luxurious; you might be 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 would break the financial institution both. If you happen to comply with our options above, it is possible for you to to journey Costa Rica figuring out that you could hold your price range the place you want it and have a good time as nicely.