Costa Rica is a beautiful country, especially if you are in the mood for beautiful beaches and jungle adventures. It has become the place to visit in Latin America over the past 10 years, and for good reason. Of course, this popularity is accompanied by an increase in prices. Costa Rica has become quite expensive compared to its neighboring countries, but it is still inexpensive compared to popular tourist destinations in North America and even Western Europe.
After visiting the country several times and traveling by many different means, we think we have a good idea of the real cost of traveling to Costa Rica. Heck, we even have good friends who have moved there and love it, as well as other friends who have owned and operated a hotel in Costa Rica for years. This is first-hand information.
So, how much money do you need to travel to Costa Rica, and are budget trips to the country even possible? Let’s dive into the distribution of the budget for a vacation in Costa Rica.
Is it expensive to visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is an expensive country to visit. It is more expensive than other Central American countries, but still affordable compared to the United States and Western Europe in general. If you come from a country where the cost of living is high, I doubt that Costa Rica will cost you very much.
In addition, there are countless ways to save money when traveling to Costa Rica. Avoid guided tours and explore as much as possible on your own and avoid Restaurants specially designed for English-speaking tourists. Most tours and restaurants that aim to attract as many English-speaking visitors as possible have special prices for tourists and charge them three times more than the locals. If at least one member of your group is fluent in Spanish, it should be easy to avoid inflated tourist rates when visiting Costa Rica.
In addition, in the off-season, it will be much more affordable to visit the country. Plan a trip between May and November and you can save a lot of money on flights, accommodation, activities and even food. As long as you don’t mind that it’s the rainy (but still hot) season, you can still have a lot of fun in Costa Rica.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Costa Rica
Is Costa Rica expensive for the holidays?
Costa Rica is an expensive vacation destination compared to other Central American countries. But if you choose your hotel wisely, take advantage of the free attractions and think intelligently about where you eat, a trip to Costa Rica doesn’t have to break the bank.
How much does a trip to Costa Rica cost on average?
The average cost of a trip to Costa Rica is from 800 to 1,300 dollars for middle-class travelers. It is possible to travel around the country with a smaller budget, but this does not include the cost of a return flight.
How much does an average meal cost in Costa Rica?
An average meal in Costa Rica. There are many affordable and more expensive options, but should get you a good meal at most restaurants.
How much money do you need for 7 days in Costa Rica?
You will need a minimum for seven days in Costa Rica with accommodation and return flight (from the United States). Although the country can be explored on a smaller budget, it is not as pleasant if you give up fun activities to save money.
