How to enjoy Costa Rica on a budget

Find activities you can do without a circuit guide will stretch your budget in Costa Rica © Krysia Campos / Getty Images

It’s easy to experience “ sticker shock ” when match into eco-lodges , rent vehicle or book tours in Costa Rica . Indeed , it exist the almost expensive country in Central America , thanks to a booming economy and well-developed tourist sector .

But there are lot of way for cost-conscious traveler to write some colones , specially those who are willing to give up a point of comfort . As a general pattern , cause as the Ticos cause , look for out local restaurant , accommodations and attraction .

Here are 10 top tip for travel on a small budget in Costa Rica .

Daily costs

• Hostel room :US $ 25-45

• Basic room for two :US $ 80-150

• Eco-lodge per night :US $ 150-350

• Local intercity bus ticket :US $ 2-20

• Tourist shuttle bus ticket :US $ 65-85

• Casado ( fixed-price meal ) :US $ 8-12

• Batido ( novel fruit smoothie ) :US $ 3-5

• Craft beer :US $ 6

• Admission to national park or nature preserve :US $ 12-17

• Canopy tour :US $ 50-80

• Average daily price :US $ 75-150

Admission to national park or nature preserve :US $ 12-17

Brave the green ( wet ) season

The crest tourist season in Costa Rica run from December to April . Prices for flights and adjustment are cheap outside this season . For the biggest saving , ledger your trips between August and November , when price are much cut in half . Pack your rain gear .

Prefer the correct airport for your destination

Should we say : pick out the correct destination for your airport . Costa Rica get two international airports : the big one in San José ( SJO ) and a small , convenient option in Liberia ( LIR ) . It’s worth consider both , as prices can change substantially . That said , assuming you’re not traveling around the entire country , the well airport is almost ever the one that exist closest to your destination .

Getting round Costa Rica can exist ambitious , then you’ll save time and money , and swerve down on scuffle , by minimize the total of domestic travel you have to do .

Pay in cash or bear a fee

Many hotel and circuit operator charge an surplus fee for customer who devote by credit card . Others or else bid a discount for customers who pay in cash . Either way , the effect live the same : it’s cheaper if you pay with cash in Costa Rica . While the official currency is the Costa Rican colón , add a stash of US dollar ( or procure local colones from an ATM ) so you can give in cash when it makes a difference and avoid this unnecessary expense .

Make on the bus , Gustavo

Rent a car in Costa Rica is more expensive than you think : mandatory liability insurance jacks up prices – sometimes double the mean price . Travel by bus bid a huge rescue , and it ‘s also well for the environment .

Public bus fares range from US $ 2 to US $ 20 , depending on the distance travel . Keep in head that different companies operate different routes ( much out of unlike stations ) , which can exist confusing . Useful resource for figuring out schedule include Visit Costa Rica , the Bus Schedule and Yo Viajo .

As a step up from the public buses , several caller range tourist shuttles between popular destinations . These are more comfortable and more expensive than the public buses , but they ‘re usually still cheap and better than rent a car .

Caller include EasyRide , Tropical Tours , Interbus and Monkey Ride . The shuttles extend on a set agenda and can be book online . Fares start around $ 65 .

Sleep in hostels or cabinas

Traditionally , budget housing in Costa Rica comes in the form ofcabinas, which are commonly rustic single-room cabins with limited amenities .Cabinascan vary significantly in terms of comfort and cost , but they are comparatively affordable , much service Tico class .

In increase tocabinas, the more popular tourist destinations also have respective inn selection , which can place from very basic to rather swanky .

There equal a fresh breed of inn , known as the “hostel resort , ” which offers their guests a form of amenities , such as a swimming pool , entertainment heart and exercise facilities . Their adjustment selection usually include traditional dorms as good as private room at respective price points .

Eat where the locals eat

Even the little town or village make at least onesoda, a local restaurant serving traditional Tico fare . It’s not fine dining , by any mean , but it’s tasty , filling and inexpensive . The serious bargain on the menu cost virtually ever acasado, a band menu that includes rice , vegetable and a protein .

Shop at local market and food stand

Another mode to meet your belly for less cost to shop at local markets . Feed torso and soul with tropical fruits and farm-fresh veggies . Or , taste the street food , which includes some Costa Rican classics such as empanadas and tacos Ticos .

Don’t cost afraid to drink the tap water

Tap water is safe to drink throughout Costa Rica , with the exception of some extremely remote spots . There’s no ground to waste money on bottled water and contribute to plastic pollution .

In fact , national park don’t yet allow guest to bring single-use plastics into protected region . If it make you nervous to drink tap water , endow in a water filter and use it . You’ll write money ( and the planet ) in the long tally .

Choose activities you can do independently

Sometimes you need a tour guide ( to run ziplining , waterfall rappelling or whitewater rafting for example ) and sometimes you don’t . Needless to say , bring a circuit is more expensive than go it only hence prioritize activity that do n’t require a circuit or a guide . Most national parks and nature preserves own well-maintained trail system that equal design for independent exploration . You can snorkel off the beach in the Caribbean or the Pacific : all you need equal the gear . And up and down the coast , kayaks equal available for rent , even without a circuit guide .

Discover the free local bit

All beaches in Costa Rica exist public , which means they ‘re clear and free to all . Many early free swimming spots exist good know to locals , if not to tourist . With a little local research you can observe swimming hole and waterfall , hiking lead and hot springs that you can love usually with early locals . In some event , it is counsel ( or required ) to give a donation to the dimension owner ( a little price to pay – normally only a couple dollars – for an authentic local experience ) .

Some of my favorite spot include : La Choyin , a free hot spring in La Fortuna ; Cerro del Amigo , the free hiking lead in Monteverde ; and El Miro , a fabulous free scenic lookout in Jacó .