Is Costa Rica Expensive?

Is Costa Rica expensive to visit?

Considered a popular destination, Costa Rica is a moderately priced country for travelers. When compared to the rest of Central America, it is a very expensive country to visit. It ranks in the top 10% of countries in Central America for its travel prices, and this places it in line with destinations such as Belize.

Costa Rica has a number of popular destinations that attract visitors. Some of the most expensive places to visit in Costa Rica include Quepos, Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo. For more affordability, you can visit places like San Jose, Santa Elena, and La Fortuna.

Average daily price of selected cities in Costa Rica, by affordability

How expensive is Costa Rica?

Travelers spend an average of $119 per day when visiting Costa Rica (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. However, you can keep close to this average, or even travel cheaper if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Costa Rica here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Costa Rica?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Costa Rica costs around $836 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,672.

How expensive is a two week trip to Costa Rica?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a two week trip to Costa Rica will cost around $1,672 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a two week trip would cost $3,345.

How expensive is a month long trip to Costa Rica?

On average, a one month trip to Costa Rica costs about $3,584 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one month trip costs $7,168.

Is it expensive to backpack in Costa Rica?

With more than 90 hostels around the country, Costa Rica is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Hostels here cost an average of $16 per night for a bed in a hostel dorm. (See hostel prices in Costa Rica here.) Many backpackers head to San Jose, Jaco, and Tamarindo. Typically, the most expensive hostels are in Tamarindo and Jaco, which average $23 and $19 a night. On the other hand, the cheapest hostels are in La Fortuna and Santa Elena which average $14 and $11 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Costa Rica.

• $12 for a dorm bed at Costa Rica Backpackers in San Jose
  more details
• $18 for a dorm bed at Room2Board Hostel and Surf School in Jaco
  more details
• $20 for a dorm bed at CASA PURA VIDA SURF HOSTEL in Tamarindo
  more details

Where to find affordable hostels in Costa Rica

Are hotels expensive in Costa Rica?

Hotel prices in Costa Rica are moderately priced and fairly even compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $115 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Costa Rica are more expensive than others, like Tamarindo, where hotel prices average $181 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as San Jose, averaging $57 per night for a hotel room.

Where to find affordable hotels in Costa Rica

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Costa Rica?

Activities and things to do in Costa Rica can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $32 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.

• Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience: $77
• ATV Hidden Beaches Tour: $125
• Half day Mountain Tour in Nosara: $150
• ATV Tour around Jobo town and Dreams Las Mareas- Costa Rica: $120
• White Water Rafting Canyoning Combo Maquique Adventure: $165
• Diving tour in Isla del Caño for certified divers: $186
• ATV Beach Tour at Dreams Las Mareas: $135
• ATV Tour Jobo: $117

Is food expensive in Costa Rica?

Food in Costa Rica can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $25 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

• Costa Rica Cooking, El Fogon de Chela: $50
• Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jacó: $87
• Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna: $75
• Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
• Private Native Caribbean Cooking in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: $45
• Online Class on Zoom: Cooking Costa Rica Homemade Food: $35

Is transportation expensive in Costa Rica?

Local transportation in Costa Rica can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $26 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Intercity transportation in Costa Rica can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $60 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.

More for Costa Rica

If you're planning a trip to Costa Rica, check out these other informative travel guides.

---

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.