Traveling Costa Rica on a Budget: Top 10 Money-Saving Tips

Costa Rica is not as inexpensive as you might think! It is actually one of the more expensive countries in Central America, but it is possible to keep costs down if you’re traveling to Costa Rica on a budget.

Here are some tips for saving money while traveling in Costa Rica.

Stay in hostels, or book Airbnbs monthly

One of the easiest ways to save money in Costa Rica is by staying in hostel dorms. You can also save money by booking longer stays on Airbnb.

Also, don’t forget to shop around. It often helps to do some comparison shopping on Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Airbnb to find the best price.

Take the bus

Traveling by bus is a great way to see Costa Rica on a budget! Bus schedules are online (and more or less up-to-date) for most major destinations. You can also usually find them posted at bus stations.

Taking the bus in a new country can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t speak the language, but I found that Costa Ricans were very helpful. If you can just say the name of the place you’re going, you’ll eventually get pointed in the right direction. Don’t forget to say gracias!

If you’re backpacking, I find that it’s very easy to approach other backpackers. You both know what you’re doing there, and you both stick out like crazy, so it’s not weird. Don’t be afraid to approach other travelers (politely, of course) and ask for directions.

It’s good to get to the bus stations early, though, so you have plenty of time to figure out where you need to be and aren’t stressed.

Also, I should mention that there seems to be a scam where people tell you you missed your bus and offer to drive you to catch it. I got this offer and was confused because I had definitely not missed my bus. I just declined, and the guy was perfectly nice about it – not pushy or anything. Later, someone at my hostel told me this is somewhat common. Just another reason to get to your bus stop early so you don’t have to make decisions under pressure!

Buy a local sim card

Data/minutes are pretty cheap here, so don’t worry about paying for international phone service. Just buy a local sim card instead.

Costa Rica has three options for carriers: Kölbi, Movistar, and Claro. I used Movistar when I was there, but the prices for all three seemed pretty similar. You can then use cash to reload your phone at most grocery stores (you’ll usually see the logos of the carriers a shop can reload posted somewhere around the storefront).

Eat at sodas

Local restaurants in Costa Rica are called sodas. They are usually owned by locals, cheaper than tourist restaurants, and very yummy! You might want to brush up on some basic food-related Spanish, as the owners might not always speak English. The menus tend to be pretty similar, though, so once you’ve got your order down, you’re good to go!

Cook your own food

The best way to save money on food is to shop where the locals do. There are plenty of grocery stores around, and one of the great things about Costa Rica is all the fresh, local fruit!

Most hostels have places where you can cook for yourself. Even better, make some friends and cook together!

When grocery shopping, be sure to stick to local staples rather than imported brands if you’re hoping to save money.

Drink tap water

Tap water in most parts of Costa Rica is perfectly safe to drink. Considering the amount of water that you need to drink to stay hydrated in the tropics, bringing a reusable water bottle and refilling it using tap water can save you a lot of money. As a bonus, it also cuts down on the amount of plastic waste generated and helps protect the beautiful Costa Rican nature that you have come to see!

Disclaimer: Ok, I did actually get sick once… I’m not sure if it was the water or not. That said, it’s always a good idea to travel with an emergency supply of Pepto Bismol!

Use the local currency

In Costa Rica, you are often offered the option to pay in USD but at a poor exchange rate. It is better to just keep local currency on hand.

It’s also good to note that most ATMs charge by the transition, so if you are taking out cash, try to take out larger amounts if possible (if you feel safe doing so).

Prioritize free activities

Much of the appeal of Costa Rica is its nature. Although a lot of places do charge you to see nature – entrance fees for national parks, waterfalls, etc. – there are still things you can do for free. Many beaches, swimming spots, and hikes are free.

The waterfall above was at the end of a free hike offered by my hostel in Manuel Antonio. Another great example is the hot springs at La Fortuna – you can pay to get into the resort-style hot springs, or you can go enjoy the same water in the nearby river with the locals!

Travel slow

A lot of these tips involve slow travel. For example, if you’re staying longer, you can book accommodation by the month or spend a day on the bus instead of driving. In general, the faster you want to travel, the more expensive it is. If you want to travel to Costa Rica on a budget, consider giving yourself a bit more time to take things slow.

Consider a work stay

Work stays are a great way to get a deeper experience in a new country and a great way to travel cheaply as well!

There are lots of options for work stays in Costa Rica. I met many people working in hostels or on farms. If you’re interested, a great place to start is the Workaway website.

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I hope these tips give you some things to think about if you’re planning on traveling to Costa Rica on a budget or if you’re already there and hoping to save money. For more travel inspiration, check out these 7 Amazing Places to Visit in Costa Rica!

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