We get so many questions like “Is Costa Rica Expensive?”. And let’s get real – Costa Rica isn’t cheap. It’s definitely the splurge destination of Central America. But is it worth every colón spent? ABSOLUTELY. Those sunrise surfs in Tamarindo and those sloths spotted in Manuel Antonio? Priceless. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves…
So… Is Costa Rica Expensive Compared to Its Neighbors?
Yeah, it kinda is. Not gonna sugarcoat it. If you’re looking for rock-bottom prices, maybe look at Guatemala or Nicaragua instead? But here’s the thing – Costa Rica gives you SO much more for that extra cash. Better roads (mostly), English-speaking guides, incredible conservation efforts, and honestly, just a feeling of safety that’s really appreciated, especially by solo female travelers.
As the team at Nomadic Matt’s travel blog has pointed out in their Costa Rica guide, the price jump from Panama to Costa Rica is noticeable. Morning coffee habits suddenly double in price! But the national parks in Costa Rica? Next level amazing.
Tip: Visiting during May, right at the start of green season, can save you like 30% on accommodation compared to high season prices. It rains almost daily but usually just for an hour in the afternoon when most people are napping anyway!
Finding a Place to Sleep Without Crying Over Your Credit Card Statement
Is Costa Rica Expensive for Places to Stay?
Ughhh, this is where budgets take the biggest hit. Popular beach towns are NOT cheap in 2025. Basic hotel rooms in Tamarindo going for $85-100 a night! Like, nothing fancy – just a clean bed and maybe A/C if you’re lucky.
Selina (now SocialTel) in Puerto Viejo runs about $48 after taxes for a private room. Not amazing, not terrible. The dorm option is cheaper (around $20) but after sketchy experiences with roommates who aren’t even paying for beds basically moving in, many travelers splurge for privacy.
The BEST accommodation decision many travelers make is splitting Airbnbs with newfound friends. We’ve heard countless stories of travelers finding cute two-bedroom places near Santa Teresa for about $105/night total, so like $35 each when shared between three people. Having a tiny kitchen to make breakfast and pack lunches saves tons. Plus, sometimes the owner’s dog visits every morning! 🐕
Getting Around (Without Losing Your Mind)
Public buses are super affordable but omg the SCHEDULES. Or lack thereof. We’ve heard stories of waiting three hours for a bus that was supposed to come “soon” according to very sweet but clearly misinformed station staff. The San José to Manuel Antonio route costs like $8, which is great, but it takes literally forever with all the random stops.
Many travelers eventually cave and rent a car for a week. Freedom! But expensive freedom. Budget for around $50/day in 2025 for the car itself, but then they hit you with mandatory insurance that practically doubles it. We’re still a little salty about that surprise. Discover Cars at least lets you compare options.
Also, gas is expensive! Like $5-6 per gallon. Little road trips from La Fortuna to Monteverde (which, by the way, is still a partly unpaved nightmare of a road) cost way more in fuel than expected.
Food: From Cheap Eats to “Maybe We’ll Just Have Water”
Is Costa Rica Expensive for Food?
It can be, but it doesn’t have to be! Local “sodas” are the way to go. These family-run spots serve the BEST traditional food for cheap. The go-to order should always be a casado – this massive plate of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and whatever protein they’re featuring that day. Usually runs about $6-8.
There’s this one soda in Monteverde – something like “Soda Típica” – run by a grandma-type who calls everyone “mi amor” and brings extra tortillas. Best gallo pinto (breakfast rice and beans) for like $5. We know travelers who went back three days in a row.
But then there are those sunset dinners on the beach in Santa Teresa… $28 for a fish dish! Delicious but wallet-SCREAMING. Same with those Instagram-worthy cafes serving avocado toast for $12. We still get it (and the Instagram pic), but feel slightly ridiculous.
Pro tip that’s saved countless travelers: grocery store snacks! Spending about $45 on breakfast stuff, fruit, and granola bars can last almost a week. The pineapple in Costa Rica will ruin all other pineapple for you, btw.
Activities: The Reason We’re All Really Here
This is where we throw budget caution to the wind, and honestly? No regrets. Zip-lining through the cloud forest canopy? Worth every penny of the $85 price tag. White water rafting on the Pacuare River? An epic $95 adventure we’re still talking about months later.
National park entrance fees are reasonable – around $15-25 depending on which park. Manuel Antonio is the priciest but also has the most wildlife sightings, so fair trade.
A popular splurge activity is a guided hike + hot springs combo near Arenal that runs about $89. Could we do it cheaper on our own? Probably. But guides like Miguel spot sleeping sloths that are literally just balls of fur to untrained eyes. And then they use your phone to take the PERFECT close-up through their spotting scope! Those photos alone are worth the guided tour price.
We’ve learned to be selective though. Some days just hitting free beaches or hiking accessible trails without guides balances out the budget nicely.
That Boring-But-Important Travel Insurance Talk
Okay, we know talking about insurance makes us sound like your mom, but listen – Costa Rica is adventure central, and accidents happen. We never travel without insurance – we’ve heard too many stories of over-caffeinated travelers racing down muddy trails near Rio Celeste when WHAM! Down they go, sprained wrists and all.
Good travel insurance covers everything at the local clinic, which is such a relief because medical care isn’t cheap here. A basic package runs about $10-15 per day depending on your age and coverage needs, but don’t skip it! Seriously, don’t be that traveler.
So What’s the Daily Damage in 2025?
Is Costa Rica Expensive on Different Budgets?
Here’s our real-talk breakdown:
Backpacker Budget: $55-75/day
- Dorm beds or basic private rooms in hostels
- Public buses and occasional shared shuttles when tired of waiting
- Most meals at sodas, with occasional splurge meals
- Mix of free activities (beaches, hiking) and selective paid tours
Mid-range Budget: $110-160/day
- Private rooms or Airbnb shares
- Rental car split with newfound travel buddies
- More restaurant meals, daily coffee shop visits
- Daily organized activities
Luxury Budget: $200+++/day
- Those gorgeous eco-lodges with infinity pools
- Private drivers or rental SUVs
- Fancy restaurants and beach clubs
- Premium private tours
Our Best Money-Saving Hacks
- Visit during green season – Everything is lush and green AND cheaper!
- Make friends at hostels – Split costs on everything from Airbnbs to car rentals to grocery runs
- Eat a big late lunch at sodas – Their “almuerzo” specials are cheaper than dinner
- Book activities in person – Save about 15% booking directly with tour companies rather than online
- Limit drinking – $5-6 beers add up FAST
- Bring a filtered water bottle – Tap water is generally safe but a LifeStraw bottle helps in remote areas
Final Thoughts: Is Costa Rica Worth the Price Tag?
Here’s our honest take – Costa Rica isn’t the cheapest Central American destination in 2025 (understatement of the year), but there’s a reason it’s so popular. The biodiversity is mind-blowing, the infrastructure makes travel relatively easy, and the whole “pura vida” lifestyle is genuinely contagious.
As this Costa Rica guide shows, travelers leave with significantly lighter wallets but SO many incredible memories – watching baby turtles hatch in Tortuguero, soaking in natural hot springs under starry skies, and making friends with locals who teach merengue dancing (badly, in most of our cases).
Could we spend less? Absolutely. Do we regret any splurges? Not for a second. Costa Rica teaches us that sometimes, it’s worth stretching your budget for experiences that’ll stay with you long after your credit card statement is paid off. Once you’re done visiting Costa Rica, maybe you’ll want to backpack Europe🙂
We hope you enjoy Costa Rica! Pura vida! ✌️