Are you ready to explore the lush greenery and breathtaking natural beauty of Costa Rica? If so, then come with us as we reveal all the tips and tricks that will help you enjoy your stay while still maintaining a tight budget!
With charming colonial cities full of vibrant culture, secluded beaches, active volcanoes and spectacular wildlife, Costa Rica offers something for everyone – no matter what their budget. Here are some of our favorite ways to experience the magic of this Central American paradise without breaking the bank.
Pack light – traveling lighter means more flexibility and lower baggage fees! Book direct – shop around for hotels, airfare and car rentals to get the best deals and avoid hidden costs like exchange rates!
Make good use of free days – take advantage of free activities like visiting National Parks or explore towns’ museums and churches at no cost!
Why Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is the perfect destination for anyone with an adventurous spirit. The place is known for zip-lining, white-water rafting, kayaking, scuba diving, cliff diving, and skydiving. Costa Rica vacations offer an all-inclusive vacation with exhilarating activities. Spend less on a rewarding active trip in the country that began it all and skip the 5* glamour. A wide variety of exciting options are available here, so you will always be energized.
Vacations to Costa Rica are also great spots to take it easy and relax. You have found the right place to unwind regularly or recharge.
Many people consider Costa Rica vacations to have some of the best beaches in the world. In fact, its shoreline extends for more than a thousand kilometers!
If you are looking to soak in the sun, it’s best to avoid visiting Costa Rica between April and November, when the rainy season is in full swing.
Additionally, it is a prime location for surfers. The waves are sound to surf during the rainy season, and the water is comfortable to swim in year-round.
The nation has made significant progress toward self-sufficiency. Therefore, there are many eco-friendly hotels and lodges to choose from around the United States. In addition, tour operators are trying to minimize disruptions, so your visit here won’t cost the earth.
Tips for Traveling on a Budget in Costa Rica
Get Financially Organized
First and foremost, everyone going to Costa Rica should make and stick to a travel budget. Vacationers of all budget levels (from five-star to camping) should do this.
Consider not just the price of your plane ticket to Costa Rica but also the costs of your hotel, meals, and transportation once you get here. Set money aside for a fun guided adventure trip, outdoor excursion, or other activity. Having set a travel budget, all that remains is to adhere to it.
Take an Off Season Trip
If you don’t mind getting wet, the rainy season is a lovely time to travel to Costa Rica from the USA. Most visitors arrive between December and April. Green, lush, and gorgeous scenery surrounds you.
May through November is the rainy season; however, it usually only becomes good in August or September. When fewer tourists are in town, accommodation rates drop, and tours and other activities get easier to arrange.
Avoid Advance Reservations for Day Tours
In many countries, the cost is typically reduced if you book in advance. But that is not the case in Costa Rica. Every major Costa Rica travel agency you will discover online has the resources to create flashy websites to entice customers.
Many smaller, locally run tour companies have deals in place with area hotels that may save you a significant amount of money.
Stay Put During the Holidays
The best time to travel to Costa Rica is around the Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter (Semana Santa) holidays. Holidays and the preceding weeks are high times for hotels and vehicle rental agencies, so expect to pay more. During the best rates and selection, plan your trip for the off-season.
Try to Locate the Appropriate Accommodation
The cost of your housing will likely be the second highest expenditure of your trip here, behind the price of your plane ticket. You should be picky about where you stay if you are visiting Costa Rica on a budget.
Consider the cost of a hotel vs. a rental house. You may find inexpensive solutions for both routes.
Even though a hotel is likely to be the first choice for most people, it is always wise to compare available vacation rentals to hotels.
Remember that you can find inexpensive hostels in almost any section of Costa Rica for as low as a few dollars per day for a bed in a shared dorm.
Inquire About Discounts
Ask about discounts if you’re scheduling a day trip with a small firm. Bigger tour operators may need help to provide them. This is the way to go if you are making a big group trip. What’s the worst that can happen, a rejection?
We advise being consistent if they turn down a discount. Getting into an argument will make Costa Ricans feel uneasy. If they refuse, it’s best to either accept a lower offer or declare you will go on to another provider.
Don’t Bother With the Guides
Locals in every national park will approach you to offer their services as a guide. The guides can locate wildlife you might miss and have excellent scopes for close-up viewing. But they are costly.
In Manuel Antonio, a guide may cost you about $20 per person. Skip the guide and merely observe what other visitors to the park are interested in to save money.
Dine at Sodas
Costa Rica has a vast range of cuisines, yet budget travelers may still have fun. To begin, if you’re living somewhere with a kitchen, you may save a lot of money by shopping for groceries and cooking your meals.
Choose cautiously, however, while eating away from home. Mom-and-pop “sodas” (restaurants) serving delicious, reasonably priced meals are a Costa Rican institution. The “Casado,” a traditional meal with meat, rice & beans, salad, sweet plantains, and veggies, is a decent deal.
Cash Payments Often Result in a Cheaper Rate
Tourists in Costa Rica should always carry cash since locals frequently barter, and you may get a better deal if you pay in cash.
We don’t believe anybody should carry more cash than required. But a mix of cards and money may be helpful, particularly while shopping.
You will need some bills or spare change for parking. Many of the parking areas are operated by locals who ask for a nominal payment (usually cash) but do not accept credit cards.
Instead of All-Inclusive Resorts, Choose Smaller Eco-Lodges
Vacations at all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica are fairly common, but they only provide good value if you use all the amenities provided. Few visitors ever go that far. Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica and hoping to save money? Then, instead of staying at a large, costly resort where you’ll likely pay for amenities you won’t use, consider a smaller, more intimate lodge.
The top Costa Rica hotels are in the jungle and provide a variety of activities and thrills, making them mini holidays. Small, off-the-beaten-path hotels like Pacuare Lodge offer a unique chance to leave modern life and enjoy thrilling camping trips.
Pick a Hotel That Has Hot Springs
Many tourists on a tight budget realize that skipping trips to a country’s most famous sights is the greatest way to save money. It would mean missing out on day trips to some of the finest hot spring resorts Costa Rica offers.
Even at Arenal Volcano, you may uncover cheap, unknown gems. You may enjoy the country’s most luxurious features by staying at a resort with hot springs.
Use the Local Transportation System
Take the bus like an actual resident of the area. The bus is the most affordable mode of transportation and serves almost every city and town in the country. Another significant aspect of taking the bus is mingling with the people.
Carry Your Hygiene Items
It may seem negligible, but everyone who has visited a tropical location knows how costly it is to buy sunscreen and insect repellant from home. Save some money by bringing your own from home.
Make Your Food
The availability of kitchens in many of Costa Rica’s more affordable hotels is one of the country’s most incredible selling points. Some hotels even provide guests with kitchenettes in their suites. If you are trying to save costs, this is a fantastic choice.
A Trip to the Beach
All Costa Rican beaches are publicly accessible and cost nothing to visit. If you are on a tight budget in Costa Rica, take advantage of the ocean and soak up some rays.
Conclusion
Costa Rica is a beautiful destination that offers a variety of activities and attractions to explore. With careful budgeting, travelers can enjoy a luxurious Costa Rican adventure without spending beyond their means.
With its stunning waterfalls, lush forests, and endless stretches of white sandy beaches, it’s easy to see why Costa Rica has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America. So whether you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure or just want to relax and take in the local culture, there’s something in store for everyone in this tropical paradise.
