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Is Costa Rica expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America after Belize, with tourist prices close to those in southern Europe or the United States. Plan on about ₡53,000 (roughly US$105) a day per person on a budget, ₡125,000 mid-range and ₡285,000 for comfort. Tours, park fees and shuttles take most of the money; local sodas keep food affordable.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| 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.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad and meat) at a soda | ₡4,000–6,000 |
| Imperial beer in a bar | about ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Public bus between towns | ₡3,000–8,000 a leg |
| Shared tourist shuttle between regions | about US$50–70 per leg |
| Arenal Volcano National Park entry | about US$15 |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve entry | about US$26 (guide about US$20–25 extra) |
| Zipline in Monteverde | about US$55–75 |
| Hot springs (mid-range resort) | about US$40–60; Tabacón with dinner US$90–120 |
| Mid-range volcano-view lodge in Arenal | ₡50,000–90,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Activities are the biggest expense: almost every highlight — hanging bridges, cloud forest reserves, night walks, ziplines and hot springs — charges US$25–100, and guides are recommended in the parks. Getting between regions also costs more than in neighbouring countries, because most visitors use shuttles at US$50–70 per leg or rent a car with mandatory insurance. Lodges in Arenal and Manuel Antonio are priced for North American visitors, and restaurants add 13% VAT plus a 10% service charge. Eating at local sodas is the main way to save.
When it is cheaper
The green season, May to November (except July and the Christmas–Easter peak), brings lower lodge rates and discounts on tours, often noticeably below dry-season prices. September and October are the cheapest but wettest on the Pacific side.
How to spend less
- Eat lunch at sodas — a casado costs ₡4,000–6,000, a fraction of tourist restaurant prices.
- Use public buses between towns where you have time; they cost a small fraction of shuttle prices.
- Soak in the free hot river at El Chollín near La Fortuna instead of paying for a resort every night.
- Book national park tickets online on the SINAC site and skip unnecessary package add-ons.
- If you rent a car, compare prices including the mandatory insurance, which can double the advertised daily rate.
- Travel in the green season for lower rates — mornings are usually dry.
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Common questions
Is Costa Rica expensive?
Yes, compared with the rest of Central America. Tours, shuttles and lodges cost close to US prices, but local sodas are cheap.
Should I pay in dollars or colones in Costa Rica?
Both are accepted. Tours and parks quote in dollars; sodas, buses and shops are usually cheaper in colones.
How much does a casado cost?
About ₡4,000–6,000 at a local soda.