How much does a trip to Costa Rica Cost?

The Cost of a Trip to Costa Rica

A trip to Costa Rica for one person usually costs between $55 and $344 per day and $109 to $687 for two people. This is a wide range of costs, and the daily average per person from our data is $138 (₡68,945) per person. This average includes food, accommodation, sightseeing, and local transportation expenses contributed from other travelers. Prices can vary based on travel style and activities. While the overall price for a trip to Costa Rica is dependent on your personal travel style and the specific places you visit, if you book standard accommodation and travel with an average level of convenience, then your budget should be somewhere within this range. Also, the prices for individual destinations such as San Jose, Quepos, and Jaco may vary, but generally fall somewhat close to this range. Below you can find a breakdown of travel expenses by category, plus a comparison of guided tour costs versus traveling independently.

How much money should you budget for your trip to Costa Rica?

If you're considering an independent trip to Costa Rica, it's helpful to have an idea of the amount of money you'll need. For budget travelers, planning to spend around $55 (₡27,388) per day should cover your essential expenses, including affordable accommodations like hostels and budget hotels, cost-effective meal options, local transportation, and affordable activities. For those with a mid-range budget, allocating around $138 (₡68,945) per day would allow for more comfortable hotels, dining at typical restaurants, and exploring a range of popular attractions. Luxury travelers, on the other hand, should anticipate a daily budget of $344 (₡172,183), which would encompass higher-end accommodations, dining at nicer restaurants, and indulging in private tour options. It's worth noting that these price ranges are based on extensive travel cost data for Costa Rica from fellow travelers, as well as insights from travel companies regarding hotel and tour prices. For further details on travel costs, you can refer to our comprehensive travel cost data for Costa Rica.


3 Days 7 Days 14 Days
Accommodation1 $184 $429 $858
Intercity Transportation1 $183 $427 $854
Local Transportation1 $78 $183 $366
Food2 $127 $297 $593
Water2 $9 $20 $40
Entertainment1 $96 $224 $447
Souvenirs1 $63 $148 $296
Communication2 $47 $110 $220
Living Expenses2 $22 $51 $102
Alcohol2 $39 $91 $183
Tips and Handouts1 $48 $112 $225


How much does a one week trip to Costa Rica cost?

When planning a one-week trip to Costa Rica, most visitors to Costa Rica spend between $383 and $2,406 for their trip, with the average cost falling around $963. This estimate includes essential aspects such as sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a full week, you'll have sufficient time to explore one, two, or possibly three locations within Costa Rica, depending on the amount of time you want to spend in each place. The most popular places worth considering are San Jose, Quepos, and Jaco. Keep in mind that these numbers are based on overall averages and may vary depending on your individual preferences.



Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica

How much does a two week trip to Costa Rica cost?

With two weeks, you should budget between $765 and $4,811 for your trip to Costa Rica. The average price for a two week trip is $1,927. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as San Jose, Santa Elena, and Jaco.

How much does a one month trip to Costa Rica cost?

With a month-long trip to Costa Rica, expenses can be anywhere from $1,640 to $10,310 with the average being $4,128. The cost of travel is dependent on your overall style of travel. If you have a full month, you'll likely want to stay at a vacation rental with a kitchen during at least part of your trip so that you can prepare your own meals. Backpackers often prefer hostels for the same reason. Hostels also offer a more social atmosphere at a very affordable price range.

Hostel Prices in Costa Rica

With more than 110 hostels in Costa Rica, the average price is $17 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in Costa Rica not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in Costa Rica here.


Number of Hostels Average Price
San Jose 30 $15
La Fortuna 17 $14
Tamarindo 16 $25
Jaco 13 $18
Santa Elena 12 $11
Quepos 5 $18
Alajuela 5 $16
Liberia 3 $17

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

  • $14 for a dorm bed at Stray Cat Hostel in San Jose
  • $14 for a dorm bed at LA CHOZA INN HOSTEL & OFF SITE JUNGLE HOT SPRINGS in La Fortuna
  • $23 for a dorm bed at CASA PURA VIDA SURF HOSTEL in Tamarindo

Hotel Prices in Costa Rica

You'll find a wide range of hotel options across Costa Rica. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in Costa Rica.


City Average Hotel Price
Tamarindo $181
Jaco $177
Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $129
Quepos $128
Puerto Viejo $103
La Fortuna $91
Liberia $59
San Jose $57

250 Meter South, Jaco Beach, Jaco
Overall Rating 9.4
Arenal, La Fortuna
Overall Rating 9.0


Tree Frog, Costa Rica

Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in Costa Rica?

When planning a trip to Costa Rica, there are two primary options to choose from: organized tours and independent travel. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, as all the details of your trip are handled by travel experts. Additionally, you'll have the benefit of an expert guide who can provide valuable insights and knowledge during your journey. This option is often favored by travelers who appreciate the convenience and ease it offers, with many tours providing transportation and expert guides to enhance the overall experience.

On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages. It offers a higher level of freedom and flexibility, allowing you to customize your itinerary and explore at your own pace. This option appeals to travelers who value the ability to make spontaneous decisions and have more control over their travel plans. The independence of traveling on your own can provide a sense of adventure and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture on a deeper level.

Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on your personal preferences and travel style. Consider your desired level of convenience, the amount of guidance you prefer, and the level of flexibility you seek when making your decision. Both options have their own merits, and the decision should be based on what aligns best with your travel goals and preferences.

Comparing Trip Costs in Costa Rica

When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.


Organized Package Tours Independent Travel
3-Day Trip Cost $436 - $880 $164 - $1,031
7-Day Trip Cost $583 - $1,915 $383 - $2,406
10-Day Trip Cost $1,411 - $4,915 $547 - $3,437
14-Day Trip Cost $950 - $6,450 $765 - $4,811


Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons

Organized Tours
Pros
  • An expert guide familiar with the culture
  • Convenient transportation
  • Fellow travelers to socialize with
  • Well researched activities
  • Efficient and thought out itinerary
  • The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
Cons
  • Limited options
  • Usually not customizable
  • The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
  • Usually more expensive than independent travel
  • There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community
Independent Travel
Pros
  • Completely customizable
  • Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
  • Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
  • Freedom to move at your own pace
  • Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
  • More affordable
Cons
  • Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
  • Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
  • Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
  • Popular sights may sell out well in advance
  • If something goes wrong, you're on your own

Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in Costa Rica?

Organized tours average $228 per day in Costa Rica, and are generally all-inclusive with one large payment. Independent trips usually average $138 (₡68,945) per day, and include individual payments to hotels, local transportation, food, and sightseeing. When compared, organized tours and independent trips each come with their own set of challenges and benefits. It's important to understand all aspects of both types of trips to make a fair comparison. You can see our thorough analysis of tour prices in Costa Rica here.

Here are a few sample tours in Costa Rica:

  • Costa Rica Escape ($2,100)
    9 days, 6 destinations
  • Volcanoes Adventure in Costa Rica ($2,450)
    9 days, 7 destinations
  • Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes (8 Days) ($2,900)
    8 days, 6 destinations
  • Costa Rica – Family Volunteer Adventure ($4,595)
    8 days, 6 destinations
  • Costa Rica Coast to Coast Ride ($6,450)
    14 days, 10 destinations
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.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.

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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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