Costa Rica has experienced a tourism boom in the last 50 years and it’s not difficult to know why. When you picture tropical paradise, you are essentially envisioning Costa Rica. The country has a rich biodiversity supported by its lush forests, active volcanoes, flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, and warm weather.
There’s so much to do here, from boarding a relaxing cruise to Tortuga Island to going on an adrenaline-filled Jaco Canopy Zipline Tour. Costa Rica is the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.
Costa Rica is more expensive than its neighboring countries, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid it. A trip to Costa Rica can still be enjoyable even on a budget. Arguably, even more so as you’ll experience the authentic side of the country. With planning and a few sacrifices, you can make a trip to Costa Rica easy on the wallet.
Stay in Costa Rica’s Hostels
This first tip isn’t limited solely to your trip to Costa Rica. If you want to make any trip more budget-friendly, staying in hostels is a good place to start.
Hostels are low-cost shared accommodation with as many as 20 people sleeping in one room. Each person in the hostel gets a single bed — usually in the form of a bunk bed. This might not sound super appealing, but trust us: hostels can be great!
Firstly, Hostels have a great social atmosphere where you’ll get to meet people from all walks of life. Some of which you can end up traveling with and becoming lifelong friends. Hostels also come with a range of shared facilities. If you can find one with a kitchen to cook your meals that will also further help your budget. Hostels can also put on some really fun events, with everything from movie nights to cooking classes!
Not all hostels are created equal; look for great reviews especially ones that mention cleanliness. A go-to website for booking Hostels is hostelworld.com.
Eat at the Local Hotspots
Costa Ricans have a very specific name for their local restaurants: ‘Sodas’. A Soda is a small, open-air restaurant serving up traditional Costa Rican cuisine. You won’t be hard-pressed to find one; they are dotted around everywhere. Surrounded by locals, you’ll delve into the authentic Costa Rican lifestyle with the added bonus of saving money.
Sodas typically serve up a ‘menu of the day’ consisting of an entrée, followed by a main course that is usually meat-based. There are other sodas that are buffet-style; this allows you to try a plethora of Costa Rican dishes in one sitting. These meals are paid by the weight of your dish and are not all you can eat, so you might not want to pack your plate too full!
Book Tours with Local Costa Rican Companies
When you book a tour with a company that runs tours all over the world, they often increase their prices to subsidize the overhead costs associated with international operations. Instead, opt to book a tour with a company that is local to Costa Rica. The prices will be lower and their knowledge of the location will be better. Win-win!
We, Costa Rica Waterfall Tours, are based in Jaco, Costa Rica. Our expert guides have local expertise and will be able to offer you more authentic and enriching experiences. Calling all adrenaline junkies: our Jaco Waterfall Tours will have you hiking, swimming, cliff jumping and canyoning around Costa Rica’s lush landscapes. Or maybe a relaxing massage is more your thing.
Drink the Tap Water in Costa Rica
It can be common and almost expected to have to buy bottled water when visiting new countries. When you have to buy bottled water several times per day, the cost starts to rack up. Costa Rica is one of the exceptions. It is safe to drink tap water throughout Costa Rica except from extremely remote locations.
Some protected areas in Costa Rica have entirely banned the use of plastic bottles. Therefore, it’s best to bring a water bottle with you to Costa Rica and just fill it up as you go! If you feel slightly uneasy about the thought of drinking the water, opt to buy a water bottle with a filter.
By reducing your use of bottled water, you’re also reducing how much you’re spending and doing the planet a favor at the same time.
Take Public Transport in Costa Rica
Ditch those taxis and rental cars for a public bus. The bus network in Costa Rica is extensive and covers most major cities, towns, and tourist destinations. It’s also a much more affordable way of traveling in Costa Rica, with local city buses costing under $1 per journey. For longer journeys between cities and towns, you can expect to pay between $5-15. A shuttle service catering specifically to tourists will naturally be more expensive; expect to pay around $25-50 per journey.
Public buses in Costa Rica are generally safe — especially for daytime travel. They are well-maintained, driven by experienced drivers, and provide a reliable service. Not to mention it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the Costa Rican culture.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you to save money when traveling in Costa Rica. If you have any questions about our range of Costa Rica tours, please get in touch!
