Despite being one of the most expensive countries in the region, a vacation in Costa Rica doesn’t have to remain a dream even if money is tight. Just like in your home country, there are plenty of ways to budget and be a savvy spender to help your funds stretch, while still enjoying your time in the land of Pura Vida. Here is our guide to vacationing in Costa Rica on a budget.
The Cheapest Time to Travel to Costa Rica
Travelling off-peak is a no-brainer for regular budget travelers. Not only are there fewer crowds to reckon with, but it’s also possible to either haggle discounts on things like tours. Prices during the Green Season between May and December will generally be around 5% to 10% lower than in high season. Unfortunately, many people have no choice but to travel during major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, when visitor numbers spike. If this is the case, book things well in advance and check out the rest of our tips below.
Budget Accommodation in Costa Rica
If you’re travelling on a budget, start things off right with good-value accommodation. You can save lots of money by renting a vacation home in Costa Rica instead of staying in a hotel. If you choose to rent in or around Tamarindo, Horizon Pacific Vacations has houses, villas and condos for all budgets, including short- and long-term rentals. Not only are they cheaper than renting the equivalent hotel room, but they also offer amenities essential for a thrifty traveler, like a kitchen for cooking and coffee, and laundry facilities.
Travelling on a Budget in Costa Rica
While it can be tempting to use taxis and private drivers in an unfamiliar country, these can quickly eat up your travel budget. The best transportation for budget travelers is to hop on public transport. Costa Rica has a great network of public buses with very manageable ticket prices. While they take a little longer and may not get you directly from point A to B, they’re a great way to see the authentic Costa Rica and interact with local people.
If you feel the call of the open road and are tempted to get a rental car in Costa Rica, be warned that the $7 per day SUV you found online is too good to be true, and you’ll end up paying for lots of hidden extras even if your credit card or travel insurance has insurance that covers rental cars. And remember, the rental cost still doesn’t include fuel! Renting a car may sometimes be cheaper for groups who are travelling longer distances in one stretch, however. We recommend planning a route in advance and researching travel options instead of booking a rental car for your entire stay.
Enjoying Activities in Costa Rica on a Budget
Zip lines, white water rafting, night hikes, surfing lessons—Costa Rica is not short on exciting tours and other activities that will put a major dent in your funds. Rather than tick all the boxes, select a few activities you’ve been dreaming to do and seek out the best-value tours or packages. If you’re flexible and spontaneous, tours can sometimes be booked last minute at a discounted price. Especially if you’re a group, don’t be afraid to flex your haggling skills!
For the rest of your holiday, there are plenty of exciting cheap and free activities in Costa Rica. Enjoy some Pura Vida with a day at one of the many free public beaches, hiking on one of the well-marked hiking trails outside of national parks, or a ride on a water taxi.
Food and Drink on a Budget in Costa Rica
When eating out, a meal at a nice restaurant here can easily cost around $20. Eating at local soda will usually cost well under $10 per head, and the portions are hearty enough to share. But you can save even more money by planning ahead and cooking meals in your vacation rental. Breakfast is the obvious choice to save, but if you’re planning a day out at the beach or in the jungle, pack a lunch too. Food in supermarkets can also be slightly expensive, processed foods in particular, so we recommend buying basic ingredients from local stands and trying your hand at some Costa Rican cuisine.
One thing fun-loving travelers will notice immediately is that alcohol here is expensive. While a $10 splurge on that beach-side cocktail you’ve been dreaming of may be worth it, for more casual drinks we recommend relaxing with a beer or a homemade cocktail on the patio of your rental. Visitors are allowed to enter Costa Rica with up to five liters of alcohol, so for the best bargain, stock up in the airport duty free on your way over and mix them with all the delicious fruit juices and sodas available at your own ‘home bar’. Happy hour is also big in Costa Rica, so ask around to find out what bars offer the best deals.
How to Save Money when Paying in Costa Rica
While you can often pay by card, cash is king in Costa Rica. Payment is usually possible in both colones and US dollars, so it’s also wiser to pay with cash than faff around with exchange rates, credit card fees, and digital currency conversion. If you’re coming from the US, bring dollars with you to spend and exchange for colones. Euros and other currencies can also be exchanged for colones and US dollars. In general, some stores choose arbitrary dollar prices that are close to—but not as good as—the actual USD-colones rate, so it will always end up cheapest to pay in cash with colones instead of dollars.
