Is Costa Rica Costly? Precise Prices To Go to In 2024

Costa Rica is a fantastic nation to go to, particularly for those who’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. After all, with that recognition comes a rise in costs. Costa Rica has develop into fairly dear in comparison with its neighboring nations, nevertheless it’s nonetheless low-cost in comparison with fashionable vacationer locations in North America and even Western Europe. 

After visiting the nation a number of instances and touring by lots of completely different means, we expect we have now 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 data.

So, how a lot cash do you should 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 sort of an costly nation to go to. It’s dearer than different Central American nations, nevertheless it’s nonetheless usually reasonably priced in comparison with the US and Western Europe. Should 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 the way 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 3 times as a lot as they do locals. If there’s a minimum of 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 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’ll be able to nonetheless have a ton of enjoyable in Costa Rica. 

Widespread Questions About Visiting Costa Rica

Value 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 might be $1,000+ per evening. Whether or not you need to journey low-cost or dwell it up, you will see that loads of choices in your worth vary. 

Funds vacationers are probably to remain at non-public flats, hostels, or low-cost inns. The common Costa Rican hostel fees $20 for a dormitory mattress, so the weekly price range for lodging in Costa Rica may be as little as $120. I’ll say that for those who’re touring with one other individual, renting an condominium might be the perfect budget-friendly choice. 

For about $350-400 per week, you’ll be able to hire a spacious one-bedroom condominium for 2, the place you’ll have a non-public 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 price range of $170-200 per individual for a whole week.  

A mid-range price range in Costa Rica means you’ll be able to keep in just about each sort of lodging within the nation, barring a elaborate beachfront resort with all-inclusive service. With a price range of $70-100 per evening, you’ll be able to afford the majority of the lodging within the nation. 

This unbelievable five-star lodge is simply $150 per evening for 2,  and this pretty cabin within the mountains is even cheaper. That’s a price range of $400-700 per individual for a whole week. 

Luxurious vacationers may select to remain in an all-inclusive resort. They’re plentiful in Costa Rica, however their value varies fairly a bit relying on the placement. An all-inclusive resort with direct seaside entry will usually run you $400-500 per evening 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. Typically, count on five-star inns and all-inclusive resorts to value $300-500 per evening, per individual, so about $1,800-3,000 per week. 

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 fashionable with vacationers. 

Should you’re simply on the lookout for 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 inns and resorts the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in lounging on the seaside 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 bear in mind is that when is simply as vital as the place. Journey to Costa Rica in Could or June, and also you’ll get the perfect lodge offers. It’s the start of the moist season, so the vacationer crowds are minimal, however the climate continues to be dry sufficient. Accommodations are sometimes as much as 50% cheaper within the low season.  

Value of Transportation

Should you’re not pressed for time and like to save cash, I say keep away from the vacationer shuttles in any respect prices and follow good previous public transportation. Positive, they’re a bit sooner 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 just an hour faster, so it’s usually not price it to spring for this mode of transport, particularly for those who’re making an attempt 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 conform to a worth beforehand. Uber can be an excellent choice for transfers between two cities which might be comparatively shut to 1 one other, as it may be considerably sooner than the bus however not extraordinarily costly. 

So, what must you price range for transportation? 

It actually is dependent upon your journey fashion. Should you 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 each 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 actually need to go someplace far day by day of your keep; take at some point to stroll across the metropolis, or spend a day stress-free on the seaside. 

Additionally, for those who plan to go on guided excursions to nationwide parks, cut up the price of the exercise between the price range for leisure and transportation. Should you can set up the tour by yourself, it is going to be so much cheaper, nevertheless it’s comprehensible for those who favor to have a information with you in another country. 

The cities and cities in Costa Rica are usually walkable, so that you don’t must price range a lot to discover the vacationer sights. Should you keep in downtown San Jose, you’ll be capable of stroll to each main attraction within the metropolis. I simply wouldn’t suggest strolling alone after darkish, as a result of some areas of town is usually a bit sketchy within the night. 

Automotive Rental In Costa Rica

Renting a automobile is usually not a price range journey tip, however it could possibly prevent fairly a bit of cash in Costa Rica. Should you’re planning to go to the nationwide parks and journey to extra secluded locations, automobile rental is by far the most affordable choice for getting across the nation. 

Automotive rental is $55-60 per day, together with gasoline and insurance coverage. That’s cheaper than the vacationer shuttle per individual, and for those who’re touring with a couple of different individual, it’s a no brainer. Having a automobile in Costa Rica additionally offers you the final word freedom to discover the nation and permits you to skip guided excursions as you don’t want to fret about transportation. Plus, you don’t want it each single day; hire a automobile for 4 days of per week’s keep, and that comes out to a transportation price range of $18 per individual for your entire week. 

Driving in Costa Rica is usually very secure, and the primary roads are in good situation. Roads off the overwhelmed path are usually not fairly as clean; usually, there’s no asphalt, and the potholes may be fairly massive. Should you’re contemplating automobile rental only for simple transfers between cities, you’ll be nice with smaller automobiles. However if you wish to discover nature and go to nationwide parks, you’ll encounter rougher roads, and I recommend a automobile with a excessive floor clearance. These are often priced at $75-85 per day. 

Flights to Costa Rica

The majority of your price range for transportation in Costa Rica will likely be allotted in the direction of the flight to the nation. Should you’re coming from the US, you’ll be able to often get an excellent deal on return flights to Costa Rica. Spirit Airways gives round-trip flights from Miami which might be below $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 had been round $700, and people had been uncommon. The common value of a return flight from Europe to Costa Rica was $850, though you may be capable of get a greater deal for those who journey within the low season. 

Value of Meals

Consuming out in Costa Rica may be dear for those who aren’t conversant in the native tips. 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 foremost course isn’t an outrageous quantity, it’s costly in Costa Rica, the place the typical value of a restaurant meal is $10-20. A $30 meal is sort of a luxurious deal with at an excellent 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 often don’t actually have a menu in English. It’s the place all of the locals eat, and you may often 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 essential for Costa Rica on a price range. 

Additionally, it’s vital to remember the fact that consuming out in San Jose, Tamarindo, and La Fortuna is usually dearer than within the smaller cities. Locations off the overwhelmed path will provide 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. 

Grocery Purchasing In Costa Rica

Funds vacationers are unlikely to eat out for each meal in Costa Rica. It can save you a good amount of cash for those who store for groceries and cook dinner meals, particularly on longer journeys. Native grocery shops in Costa Rica are plentiful in reasonably priced recent fruit and greens, and you may usually get nice offers from locals promoting produce at stalls on the aspect of the street. Even simply 1,000 CRC ($2) goes a great distance in Costa Rica and is sufficient for a home-cooked meal. Pineapple is absolutely low-cost in Costa Rica, and you may often 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 finest to buy at native supermarkets; Maxi Pali even has a web-based store the place you’ll be able to take a look at 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 often 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 preserve you full, and it’s cheaper than consuming out. 

How A lot To Funds For Meals In Costa Rica

Funds vacationers who store for groceries and eat out solely a few instances can simply get by with a price range of $50 per week. Consuming just a few vegetarian meals will likely be even cheaper, as recent produce is usually 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 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 until they’re staying in all-inclusive lodging. Fancy eating places in Costa Rica are fairly costly, and the value of foremost 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 possibly can simply spend north of $1,000 simply on meals for those who 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 price range of $300-500 per week for meals and drinks. 

Value of Actions

How a lot cash will you spend on sightseeing and actions whilst 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 possibly can simply discover an excellent chunk of the nation with out spending something. Uncover the mountaineering 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 take pleasure in a day of deep-sea fishing, the prices shortly add up. I like how Costa Rica is nice each for vacationers preferring to discover the free actions and for many 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 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. 

Funds vacationers are more likely to follow free actions and luxuriate in 2-3 paid excursions throughout their keep. A tough price range of $20 per exercise offers you all kinds of choices, because it covers every little thing from kayaking to nationwide park entrances and entry to waterfalls. A weekly price range may very well 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. Should you can handle a weekly price range 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 most likely need to do one thing enjoyable day by 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 entire time. 

Luxurious vacationers are probably to spring for dear actions like scuba diving or white water rafting. Should you’re doing one thing that prices $100 day by day, you’ll be able to simply spend $600-700 for per week in Costa Rica. 

Funds For 1 Week in Costa Rica

Funds For two Weeks in Costa Rica