Mid-Range Travel Guide: Costa Rica
The sweet spot of travel - comfortable accommodations, diverse dining, and quality experiences without breaking the bank
Daily Budget: $135-330 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for mid-range travel in Costa Rica
Accommodation
$50-120 per night
Private rooms in mid-range hotels or nicer guesthouses, typically with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and decent amenities. You're looking at comfortable places that aren't fancy but get the job done well.
Food & Dining
$30-65 per day
Mix of local sodas and tourist-oriented restaurants, occasional nicer dinners, some hotel breakfasts. You're not eating street food for every meal, but you're not doing fine dining either.
Transportation
$15-45 per day
Combination of public buses for longer trips, taxis or rideshares within cities, maybe a rental car for part of the trip. Basically, you're choosing convenience when it makes sense.
Activities
$40-100 per day
Paid national park entries, some guided tours, zip-lining or adventure activities, museum visits. You're doing the classic Costa Rica experiences without going overboard on luxury versions.
Currency: ₡ Costa Rican Colón (CRC), though USD is widely accepted. Prices listed in USD for consistency, but you'll often get better value paying in colones. ATMs are readily available.
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local sodas instead of tourist restaurants - you'll typically save 50-70% and honestly get more authentic food. A casado at a soda runs $4-8 versus $12-20 at a tourist spot.
Take public buses for longer distances rather than private shuttles or taxis. The savings are substantial - think $2-5 for a bus versus $40-80 for a shuttle on the same route.
Visit during green season (May through November) when accommodation prices drop 30-50%. Yes, it rains, but usually just in the afternoons, and the country is actually more lush and beautiful.
Buy groceries from local supermarkets or farmers markets for at least some meals. A week of breakfasts from a supermarket costs what two hotel breakfasts would run you.
Book national park entries directly rather than through tour operators when you can - guided tours often include 100-200% markup on the entry fee alone, though obviously you lose the guide's knowledge.
Stay in less touristy towns and take day trips to popular areas. Accommodation in places away from the main tourist trail can be 40-60% cheaper for similar quality.
Use colectivos (shared vans) instead of private taxis for airport transfers - you'll pay roughly $15-25 per person versus $40-80 for a private ride.
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Taking taxis everywhere instead of mixing in public buses and walking. Taxis in Costa Rica aren't outrageously expensive by international standards, but they're still 5-10x more than buses, and it adds up fast over a week or two.
Eating only in tourist zones, particularly in places like Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo where restaurant prices can be double what you'd pay a few blocks inland. The beach view is nice, but probably not worth the 100-150% markup.
Booking last-minute during high season (December through April). Accommodation prices can surge 40-80% when places are nearly full, and you'll have limited options. Even mid-range travelers should book a few months ahead during peak times.
Assuming all-inclusive packages are automatically cheaper. Sometimes they are, but often you're paying for convenience rather than savings - and you miss out on experiencing local restaurants and culture. Do the math on what you'd actually eat and drink.
Underestimating transportation costs between regions. Costa Rica is small on a map but moving around takes time and money - that 'quick' trip from Arenal to Manuel Antonio might be 5-6 hours and $30-60 per person by bus, or $150-250 by shuttle.