Last Updated: 2/2/2020 | February 2nd, 2020
Costa Rica is one of the most gorgeous as well as naturally-diverse countries in central America.
Unfortunately, it’s likewise the most expensive.
Due to its natural beautiful, remarkable outside activities, safety, friendly locals, as well as well-established expat community, costs in Costa Rica have been rising higher year after year. For that reason, it’s not uncommon for budget plan travelers to really avoid visiting Costa Rica, heading to cheaper destinations like Nicaragua or Guatemala.
To be honest, I was skeptical that I might go to Costa Rica on a budget.
Fortunately, as i discovered, it is definitely possible to go to this remarkable country without breaking the bank. It won’t be cheap, however it likewise won’t be that costly either. In this post, I’ll show you whatever you requirement to understand to go to Costa Rica on a budget.
Sisällysluettelo
How much I spent on My Trip
Can You Do It Cheaper?
3 suggested Budgets
6 methods to save Money
Costa Rica travel FAQ
How much Did I Spend?
In total, I was in Costa Rica for 20 days as well as I spent 424,660 colones or $849.32 USD. (The exchange rate was about $1 USD = 500 CRC). That works out to be an typical of $42.46 USD per day. So, like in Panama, I went over my budget. However, I frequently set my budgets low just as motivation not to spend a great deal of money. There are many reasons why I went over my budget, however let me break down my costs first:
Food – 150,755 CRC ($301.51 USD)
Alcohol – 16,740 CRC ($33.48 USD)
Bottled water – 9,150 CRC ($18.30 USD)
Accommodation – 89,530 CRC ($179.06 USD)
Activities – 17,500 CRC ($35 USD)
Local buses – 9,105 CRC ($18.21 USD)
Cabs – 98,000 CRC ($196 USD)
Miscellaneous – 33,880 CRC ($67.76 USD)
My miscellaneous costs were things like laundry, sunscreen, a poncho, as well as the departure tax. I didn’t factor these costs into my original budget plan plans.
Moreover, I took a great deal of taxis, since sometimes they were the fastest as well as most practical method to go — however they were definitely not the cheapest. I overspent on food just since I did eat a great deal of nice seafood dinners on the coastline in addition to have some Western meals. Also, in many touristy areas, a inexpensive meal can still expense 4,000 CRC ($6 USD).
Can You Do It Cheaper?
Yes, however it won’t be fun. If you just account for food, room, as well as buses, you can most likely get by on a bare-bones $30 USD per day. however you won’t enjoy it. That budget plan has no activities included, as well as the fun experience activities like zip lining, surfing, diving, as well as jungle trekking are what make this country as remarkable as it is. It’s not a budget plan I would recommend.
On my budget plan of $43 USD a day, you can pay for inexpensive rooms, mainly regional food as well as some Western meals, going out, as well as many activities. (If you prevent the taxis, you can have even more money for fun experience activities.)
I didn’t do a great deal of experience tours this time around since I did them the very first time I was in Costa Rica. I never felt I was missing out on anything with my budget, as well as though it’s more than you may spend in Nicaragua or El Salvador, $43 USD shouldn’t be high sufficient to scare you away from the country.
3 suggested Budgets for Costa Rica
To assist you plan for your trip to Costa Rica, right here are some suggested everyday budgets based on a few different types of travel:
Patikoija
Accommodation – 6,000-9,000 CRC ($10-15 USD)
Food – 6,000 CRC ($10 USD)
Transportation – 6,000 CRC ($10 USD)
Activities – 6,000 CRC ($10 USD)
Daily overall – 24,000-27,000 CRC ($40-45 USD)
Mid-Range
Accommodation – 15,000-18,000 CRC ($25-30 USD)
Food – 9,000-15,000 CRC ($15-25 USD)
Transportation – 9,000-12,000 CRC ($15-20 USD)
Activities – 33,000-54,000 CRC ($55-90 USD)
Daily overall – 66,000-99,000 CRC ($110-165 USD)
Luxury
Accommodation – 24,000-30,000 CRC ($40-50 USD)
Food – 21,000-27,000 CRC ($35-45 USD)
Transportation – 12,000 CRC ($20 USD)
Activities – 54,000 CRC ($90 USD)
Daily overall – 110,000-123,000 CRC ($185-205 USD)
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6 methods to save money in Costa Rica
There are lots of methods to save money in Costa Rica. as well as if you don’t at least try to do some affordable things while here, your budget plan will go with the roof.
1. Don’t drink. Drinking in bars in Costa Rica can be rather expensive. regional beer is generally 1,200 CRC ($2.50 USD). sometimes you can discover it for around 900 CRC, however that’s extremely unusual as well as usually during a happy hour. I avoided drinking right here just since it was as well expensive.
2. eat at the sodas. The “sodas” are the regional Tico restaurants as well as a fantastic bargain. You can usually discover casado, a typical regional dish, for around 2,000 CRC (about 1/2 the cost of tourist restaurants). In many of the towns on the Caribbean coast, you can discover meals for under 1,000 CRC. I discovered the empanadas the very best value for money; for 500 CRC, I might get a filling snack/light meal.
3. eat at Musmanni. Musmanni is a bakery chain discovered around the country. It offers a fantastic lunch special. For 1,000 CRC, you can get a sandwich as well as a soda; most of their pastries are only 300 CRC. I ate at this location whenever I discovered one since it assisted keep my food costs down.
4. stay in dorms. accommodation in Costa Rica isn’t cheap. I stayed at a few budget plan hotels, as well as they were around 15,000 CRC ($30 USD) per night. Dorm spaces offer the very best value, as they expense only 5,000 CRC ($10 USD) per night; on the Caribbean coast, you can discover them for around $8 USD.
Here’s a listing of my preferred hostels in San Jose to assist you get started!
5. Couchsurf. Don’t like dorms? utilize the site Couchsurfing, which can link you with locals who will let you stay at their home for free. It’s a fantastic method to satisfy locals as well as cut down your accommodation costs.
6. drink the water. though I spent 9,150 CRC on bottled water, the water in Costa Rica is risk-free to drink. I would always lose my water bottle as well as have to replace it, however if you can keep in mind to keep yours, refill it from the tap as well as prevent costs money on water.
Budget travel in Costa Rica: often Asked Questions
Do they accept us dollars in Costa Rica?
Generally speaking, us dollars are commonly accepted. For smaller purchases, you will frequently pay in USD as well as get CRC back. It’s great to have both us dollars (in denominations no larger than $20) in addition to colones.
How many colones are in a dollar in Costa Rica?
As of 2019, there are 600 colones to dollars. $1 USD = 600 CRC.
Can I utilize my credit history card in Costa Rica?
Yes, you can utilize credit history cards are most hotels as well as larger restaurants in the cities. That being said, always make sure you have money on hand as well.
Do you tip motorists in Costa Rica?
For short rides, it’s generally typical to just round the trip as much as the nex dollar. For longer rides (or rides that encounter heavy traffic) it’s always great to tip a couple of additional dollars.
Do you tip at restaurants in Costa Rica?
Restaurants frequently add a service charge onto your bill, which makes tipping unnecessary. However, tips are always appreciated if somebody goes above as well as beyond as well as provides excellent service.
***
Costa Rica is one of my preferred countries in the world. Whether you’re a budget plan backpacker, flashpacker, or somebody looking to have a more elegant stay, you’ll be able to have an remarkable trip here.
While the country is by no means the cheapest destination in central America, you can definitely still go to right here on a budget. By using the tips as well as recommendations above, you’ll be able to keep your budget plan intact while you check out this amazing, diverse, as well as gorgeous country.
Book Your trip to Costa Rica: Logistical tips as well as Tricks
Varaa lentosi
Käytä Skyscanneria tai Momondoa löytääksesi edullisen lennon. Ne ovat kaksi ensisijaista selaa -moottoria, koska ne selaavat verkkosivustoja sekä lentoyhtiöitä ympäri maailmaa, joten ymmärrät aina, ettei kiveä jätetä kääntämättä. Aloita Skyscannerilla aivan ensin, koska heillä on suurin ulottuvuus!
Varaa majoitus
Voit varata hostellin hostellimaailman kanssa, koska heillä on suurin osake sekä hienoimmat tarjoukset. Jos haluat pysyä muualla kuin hostellissa, käytä Booking.com -sivustoa, koska ne palauttavat jatkuvasti halvimmat hinnat sekä majataloille ja eduille hotelleille. My preferred locations to stay are:
Arenal Backpackers Resort
Rocking J’s (Puerto Viejo)
Hostel Vista Serena (Manuel Antonio)
Älä muista matkavakuutusta
Matkavakuutus suojaa sinua sairauksilta, loukkaantumisilta, varkauksista ja peruutuksilta. Se on kattava turvallisuus tilanteessa Kaikki menee pieleen. En koskaan mene matkalle ilman sitä, koska minun on joutunut hyödyntämään sitä monta kertaa aiemmin. Suositeltavan yritykseni, joka tarjoaa parasta palvelua ja arvoa, ovat:
Turvallisuussiipi (kaikille alle 70)
Vakuuta matkani (yli 70) niille
MedJet (ylimääräistä palauttamista varten)
Etsitkö parasta yritystä säästää rahaa?
Tutustu resurssisivulleni parasta yritystä, jota käytetään matkustaessasi. Listaan kaikki käyttämäni säästääkseni rahaa tiellä. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want more info on Costa Rica?
Be sure to go to our robustKohdeopas Costa Ricassa vielä enemmän suunnitteluvinkkejä!