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Costa Rica on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Costa Rica on a budget is possible with hostels, sodas and public buses, but it is pricier than its neighbours. A realistic minimum is about ₡53,000 (roughly US$105) a day per person sharing a room: ₡18,000 for a bed, ₡15,000 for food, ₡12,000 for parks and ₡8,000 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₡18,000 | ₡40,000 | ₡110,000 |
| Food & drink | ₡15,000 | ₡30,000 | ₡60,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ₡12,000 | ₡35,000 | ₡70,000 |
| Local transport | ₡8,000 | ₡20,000 | ₡45,000 |
| Per person, per day | ₡53,000 | ₡125,000 | ₡285,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Costa Rica day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Bathing in the free hot river at El Chollín near La Fortuna
- Walking the square and church of La Fortuna
- Playa Espadilla, the public beach outside Manuel Antonio National Park
- Watching birds and hummingbirds in Santa Elena's town gardens and roadsides
- San José's Central Market and the Avenida Central pedestrian street
- Sunset over the Pacific from any public beach
Cheap eats
- Casado at a soda — ₡4,000–6,000
- Gallo pinto breakfast with eggs and plantain — about ₡3,000–4,500
- Empanadas from a bakery — about ₡800–1,500 each
- Arroz con pollo at a soda — about ₡3,500–5,000
- Fresh fruit drinks (batidos) — about ₡1,500–2,500
Where to sleep for less
La Fortuna and Santa Elena have plenty of hostels with dorms and private rooms, close to buses, sodas and tour pick-ups; private doubles typically run about ₡18,000–35,000. In Manuel Antonio, budget options are in the town of Quepos and along the lower hill road.
Getting around cheaply
Public buses are the cheapest way to get around (₡3,000–8,000 a leg) but need changes and time. From San José's airport, buses to the city centre are cheap; taxis and shuttles cost much more. Shared shuttles (about US$50–70) save time between Arenal, Monteverde and the Pacific.
A sample budget day
- Morning: gallo pinto breakfast (about ₡3,500), then Arenal Volcano National Park (about US$15, ₡7,500)
- Lunch: casado at a soda (about ₡5,000)
- Afternoon: free hot river at El Chollín, local bus or shared taxi (about ₡2,000)
- Evening: dinner at a soda and a beer (about ₡6,500)
- Total: about ₡53,000 including a hostel bed or shared room (about ₡18,000)
More ways to save
- Cook breakfast in your hostel kitchen — supermarkets such as Palí and Más x Menos are much cheaper than cafés.
- Pick one big paid activity per area (for example, hanging bridges in Arenal or the cloud forest in Monteverde).
- Take the jeep-boat-jeep transfer between Arenal and Monteverde, which is cheaper and quicker than a private car.
- Join group night walks rather than private guides to split the cost.
- Pay in colones at sodas and buses; prices quoted in dollars often round up.
- Bring a refillable bottle — tap water is safe in most towns.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Costa Rica?
About ₡53,000 (roughly US$105) on a budget, ₡125,000 mid-range and ₡285,000 for comfort, per person sharing a room.
Is it cheaper to rent a car or use shuttles?
For two or more people over several days, a car can be cheaper, but add the mandatory insurance. Solo travellers usually save with buses and shuttles.
Are there free hot springs near Arenal?
Yes, the hot river at El Chollín near La Fortuna is free to use.