Costa Rica Travel Guide

Backpacking Costa Rica Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Costa Rica, my suggested budget is 22,150-27,700 CRC (45-50 USD). On this budget, you can stay in a nice hostel, do your own cooking, have some drinks, and enjoy an activity or excursion each day.

On a mid-range budget of about 30,350-60,700 CRC (50-100 USD), you can stay in a budget hotel or a private room at a hostel, do a couple of dives, eat at restaurants, and visit a few attractions.

For a luxury budget of about 60,705-91,055 CRC (100-160 USD), you’ll be able to do just about anything you want, including staying in private rooms, hiring a rental car, doing some dives (or private tours), and eating out at nicer restaurants throughout your trip.

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style.

Costa Rica Travel Guide: Money Saving Tips

Looking to save money in Costa Rica? Good. As one of the more expensive destinations in Central America, you’ll probably want to cut down expenses! Here are some of the best ways to save money in Costa Rica:

1. Travel off-season – Late April-November is considered the rainy season, and as a result, prices tend to be less expensive and the region less crowded.
2. Avoid tour activities – There are a lot of great but expensive group activities and tours in the area. Skip them, and do the free activities such as hiking the park, the La Fortuna waterfall, and a few of the hot springs.
3. Eat at the sodas – “Sodas” are small family run restaurants which specialize in inexpensive local meals, usually costing around 1,065 CRC (2 USD) including a drink. These hole-in-the-wall restaurants offer the best value in the country.
4. Go camping – Most of the resorts and hostels in many places will let you camp. If you don’t have your own tent, you can rent them. Usually, under 3,000 CRC (5 USD) per night, this is the best way to keep your accommodation costs down.
5. Visit the Caribbean side – Costa Rica is pretty expensive. There are few ways around that fact. But visiting the cheaper Caribbean side will let you see the beautiful country without the high prices of the popular Pacific destinations.
6. Eat at Musmanni – Musmanni is a bakery found all over the country. The offer a great lunch special. For 1,000 CRC (less than 2 USD), you can get a sandwich and a soda. Most of their pastries are only 300 CRC (less than 1 USD). I ate at this place whenever I found one because it helped keep my food costs down.
7. Avoid the tourist buses – While local buses are a lot slower than the tourist buses, they are also about half the price. If you aren’t rushed for time, take the local buses.

Where To Stay in Costa Rica

Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Costa Rica:

• Rocking J’s (Puerto Viejo)
• Pangea (San Jose)
• Costa Rica Backpackers (San Jose)
• Arenal Hostel Resort (La Fortuna)
• Hostel Vista Serena (Manuel Antonio)
• Camino Verde Hostel and B&B (Monteverde)
• Blue Trailz Hostel & Surf Camp (Tamarindo)

How to Get Around Costa Rica

Bus – The cheapest and easiest way to get around Costa Rica is by bus. The public bus system runs frequently throughout the day, including the harder to reach areas. Short bus trips (under 3 hours) are around 2,000 CRC (3 USD) while longer trips will cost closer to 5,500 CRC (10 USD). The Costa Rica tourism board has a really comprehensive schedule and guide.

Private Bus – Private mini-buses that provide a cost-effective way to get around the country, or to and from the airport. They are all over the place and are often quicker and more direct than the public buses. Times, companies, and prices vary so just ask the local hotel / hostel you’re at for what’s currently available.

Air – Air travel within Costa Rica isn’t budget friendly or efficient. I would skip this method of travel. Plus, Nature Air, the only main airline in the country, has a quite the iffy safety record.

Car Rental – Car rentals are a great way to get around (outside the larger cities), and surprisingly affordable in Costa Rica. You can rent a car for as little as 3,035 CRC (5 USD) per day. The roads here aren’t in great condition so make sure you get something durable.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking isn’t common for long distance rides among the locals, but it’s more usual near the beach destinations or in remote places with less public transport. HitchWiki is the best website for hitchhiking info in the country.

When to Go to Costa Rica

Most people go to Costa Rica during the dry season, which takes place from mid-December to April. Although it’s peak season and tourism is at its highest, there’s almost non-stop sunshine ideal for enjoying the country’s beaches and rainforests (and everything in between). It’s the most expensive time of year to visit, though – you’ll want to make all your reservations well in advance.

The rainy season is from May to November, and this is when it’s cheapest to visit Costa Rica. It doesn’t rain all the time though, and temperatures are still warm. The rain tends to lighten during June and July, making the country’s rainforests burst with life.

Temperatures and weather vary per region, of course. If you’re around the Caribbean Sea coast and the Northern Plains, you can expect year-round humidity and high temperatures somewhere in the 70s-80s°F (20s-30s°C). It’s not so humid in the North Pacific, but temperatures can get even hotter in this area during the dry season.

How to Stay Safe in Costa Rica

While Costa Rica is one of the safest countries for traveling and backpacking in Central America, it’s always good to play it safe!

Petty theft (including bag snatching) is one of the most common types of crime in Central America. There are some common scams around, especially the taxi cab scam where a driver tells you the meter is broken once the drive has already begun.

The people who do tend to be involved in some sort of incident are usually drinking or doing drugs or taking part sex tourism.

Stay away from that stuff and you’ll be fine. People are nice and helpful and you’re unlikely to get into trouble.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it here! Follow that rule and you’ll be fine.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Costa Rica Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel to Costa Rica. They are included here because they consistently find deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the ones I use the most and are always the starting points in my search for travel deals.

• Momondo – This is my favorite booking site. I never book a flight without checking here first.
• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is another great flight search engine which searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. While I always start with Momondo, I use this site too as a way to compare prices.
• Airbnb – Airbnb is a great accommodation alternative for connecting with homeowners who rent out their homes or apartments.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Couchsurfing – This website allows you to stay on people’s couches or spare rooms for free. It’s a great way to save money while meeting locals who can tell you the ins and outs of their city. The site also lists events you can attend to meet people (even if you’re not staying with someone).
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have a no money down policy, great interface, and the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Intrepid Travel – If you want to do a group tour around Central America, go with Intrepid Travel. They offer good small group tours that use local operators and leave a small environmental footprint. If you go on a tour with anyone, go with them. And, as a reader of this site, you’ll get a discount when you click the link!
• Rome 2 Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• World Nomads – I buy all my travel insurance from World Nomads. They have great customer service, competitive prices, and in-depth coverage. I’ve been using them since I started traveling in 2003. Don’t leave home without it!

Costa Rica Gear and Packing Guide

If you’re heading on the road and need some gear suggestions, here are my tips for the best travel backpack and for what to pack!

The Best Backpack for Travelers

What’s the best backpack for traveling long-term? I recommend the REI Flash 45 Pack. It’s light and comfy, front loading, and fits perfectly in an airplane’s overhead bin.
Size: 45-47L
Straps: Thick and cushy with compression technology that pulls the pack’s load up and inwards so it doesn’t feel as heavy.
Features: Removable top lid, large pocket at the front, hydration compatible, contoured hip belt

If you want something different, refer to my article on how to choose the best travel backpack for tips on picking a pack and other backpack suggestions.

What to Pack for Your Trip

Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily dried, but I like them; a good alternative is khaki pants)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 bathing suit
• 5 T-shirts
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 6 pairs of socks (I always end up losing half)
• 5 pairs of boxer shorts (I’m not a briefs guy!)
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 razor
• 1 package of dental floss
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel
• 1 towel
• Deodorant

Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

• Band-Aids
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cream
• Earplugs
• Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer (germs = sick = bad holiday)

Miscellaneous

• A key or combination lock (safety first)
• Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (great for laundry)
• Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)
• LifeStraw (A water bottle with a purifier)

Female Travel Packing List
I’m not a woman, so I don’t know what a woman wears, but Kristin Addis, our solo female travel guru, wrote this list as an addition to the basics above:

Clothing

• 1 swimsuit
• 1 sarong
• 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)
• 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt)
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• 1 light cardigan

Toiletries

• 1 dry shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes)
• 1 hairbrush
• Makeup you use
• Hair bands & hair clips
• Feminine hygiene products (you can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products)

For more on packing, check out these posts:

• What I Pack For My Travels
• The Ultimate List For Female Travelers
• How to Choose and Buy the Right Backpack

Costa Rica Travel Guide: Suggested Reading

Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica, by Jack Ewing
This book gives a fascinating overview of how animals, plants, and people interact with one another in Costa Rica’s rainforests. It’s written by Jack Ewing, a naturalist and natural born storyteller. Here, he shares a treasure trove of observations and stories gathered for more than 30 years of living in the country. Chances are, you’re coming to Costa Rica to discover some of the country’s amazing ecosystems. This book will get you excited about it.
 
 
 

In Search of Captain Zero: A Surfer’s Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road, by Allan Weisbecker
In 1996, Allan Weisbecker sold all his worldly possessions and set out in search of his long-time surfing friend, Patrick, who had went missing somewhere in Central America. Traveling with only his dog, his surfboards, and his truck, Allan’s journey from Mexico to Costa Rica is a memorable one, filled with scarier moments (like evading bandits) and warmer ones (like befriending the locals). It’s really the tale of ultimate friendship.
 
 
 

Happier Than a Billionaire: Quitting My Job, Moving to Costa Rica, and Living the Zero Hour Work Week, by Nadine Hays Pisani
It’s the classic travel tale – overworked professional realizes that the 9-5 to grind isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and sets out to seek greener pastures. This witty tale comes from Nadine Pisani, who shares her story of quitting her job to forge a new life in sunny Costa Rica. This is a nice, light read for when you’re just flaking out on the beach or by the pool. But along the way you’ll learn why Costa Rica is one of the happiest places on earth.