Explore Costa Rica on a Budget
How to Travel Costa Rica on a Budget (Based on Our 2024 Experience!)
We spent two months in Costa Rica, discovering ways to enjoy its stunning nature, lively cities, and rich culture—all – all while staying on budget. On this page you’ll find all our blog posts and videos from our real world experiences while in Costa Rica. From tips for budget-friendly activities to our experiences living here, we’re sharing it all with you to help guide your own Costa Rican adventure.
💰 Get Our Free Guide: The Best Affordable Stays in San José, Costa Rica! Scroll down to grab your copy and start planning your budget-friendly trip today!
The #1 Reason Why We Think You Should visit San Jose, Costa Rica = the National Museum of Costa Rica
Our initial plan was to spend a month relaxing at the beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, but we soon realized that laying on a beach fulltime wasn’t right for us, so we cut our beachside stay short and headed inland to…
Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
If you are visiting Costa Rica, especially the Caribbean side, it’s probably for the beaches and you’re probably thinking Puerto Viejo. Peaceful, quiet villages, beautiful sunny weather, black sand beaches, laid-back attitude… Ahhh, I can feel the relaxation seeping into my bones…
Dinosaurs to Butterflies: What We Learned and What to Expect at Costa Rica’s Natural Science Museum
Since we had a few extra days in San Jose, Costa Rica, we decided to venture off the beaten path and check out a museum that doesn’t make it onto most travel itineraries. Oh sure the locals know about it and local…
San José, Costa Rica: A 3-Day Itinerary That Worked for Us (and Might for You)
We didn’t have huge expectations for San José. Let’s be honest—most people pass through on their way to beaches, volcanoes, or jungles. But we found plenty to keep us busy while we were there, and even a few surprises that made us…
Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica
The National Theater of Costa Rica, located in the heart of San José, is a must-visit landmark for anyone interested in the country’s history and culture. Built in 1897, this neoclassical building showcases Costa Rica’s commitment to the arts and its European…
Is San Jose Walkable? – 11 Budget-Friendly Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica on foot!
Travel rarely goes exactly according to plan, and that’s certainly the case for us. Our Costa Rica itinerary got a little shuffled around, leaving us with some unplanned downtime in downtown San Jose. No worries though, that’s just part of the nomadic…
Leeeaaving on a….. short bus….
(My apologies to Peter, Paul and Mary….. Or if you’re slightly younger, John Denver….) Today’s grand narrative is about travel schedule changes and budget considerations. We originally booked this place at Puerto Viejo for a full month – leaving Feb 9th –…
If it’s not one thing…..
As we wind down our time here in Panama we we find ourselves reflecting on the intricacies of a nomadic lifestyle planning because yet again we are making changes to our future plans. Honestly, we are pretty much ALWAYS in the planning…
👋 New Here? We’re Jeff and Sandra, American expat and senior nomads, living abroad, on a budget, one country at at time. Most days, we’re just doing what we’ve always done— making ourselves a home, working on projects, cooking, and running errands, wherever home might be at the moment. Sometimes that means checking out local activities and visiting museums and historical sites; other times, it means finding out which local restaurant has the best pizza or empanadas and which grocery store sells peanut butter.
This life isn’t always glamorous; but it’s ours—and we’re here to share with you what we learn.
Discover Costa Rica Through Our Budget-Friendly Video Gallery
Explore Costa Rica through our video gallery, where we share real moments from our time there. From everyday life to must-see attractions, these clips showcase how to travel Costa Rica affordably while enjoying its natural beauty and culture. As full-time slow travelers, we focus on authentic experiences and offer practical tips to help you plan your trip.
Click below to watch our YouTube playlist and start planning your cost-effective Costa Rican adventure!
Additional Tips for Traveling Costa Rica on a Budget:
- Travel During the Green Season (May–November): Save up to 50% on flights and accommodations while enjoying fewer crowds.
- Use Public Transportation: Buses are reliable and cost as little as $2–$20 for intercity travel.
- Shop at Local Markets: Stock up on fresh tropical fruits and snacks at affordable prices.
- Stay in Budget-Friendly Destinations: Explore places like Cahuita, Dominical, Montezuma, or La Fortuna for affordable lodging and activities.
- For cheap eats in Costa Rica, skip the touristy restaurants and eat at Sodas—small, family-run spots offering authentic Costa Rican meals at local prices.
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Costa Rica: Practical Travel Tips
- Practice your Spanish and try to speak it. The locals love that you are trying.
- Credit Cards are widely accepted but make sure you carry colones (Costa Rican money), which is helpful for street vendors.
- Be sure to let your credit card company know you are traveling!
- Plan ahead if you’re traveling at peak times – Book your accommodation well in advance if you plan to visit Costa Rica at peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Easter or the US spring break. Prices also rise during major festivals and events, and high-end restaurants and popular tours should be booked ahead of time.
- Bring Binoculars! – Wildlife is usually found high in the trees or far away from the designated path. If you want to get a closer look, binoculars are very useful.
- Less is more – in terms of packing
- It’s hot & humid – bring your comfy clothes and shoes. Don’t even bother with hair dryers, straighteners, etc.
- Bring layers if traveling in the higher elevations as it can get quite cold
- Shop groceries at the local supermarkets
- Book Tours in advanced and request the guide be fluent in your native language, if you get someone you can barely understand, you won’t enjoy the tour as much.
- Always double look both ways at street corners, specially in San Jose center, cars drive like crazy and blow through Stop signs and traffic lights as if they didn’t exist.
- Bring your probiotics, Immodium, Tums, Pepto Bismol or what ever it is you use – Costa Rica’s water is perfectly safe in most urban areas, but may have a different microbiome than your gut is used too
- Bring sunblock or lightweight, long-sleeved SPF shirts
- Don’t drive at night – roads are not what you are use too
- As with any tourist area;
- avoid showing wealth, leave any pieces of jewelry you don’t want to loose in your home country, anything you bring can be lost or stolen.
- Don’t talk on the phone while walking, step up next to a building or wall before pulling the phone out of your pocket.
Is Costa Rica expensive for travelers?
👉 Costa Rica can be pricey, but with smart choices—like staying in budget hostels, using public transport, and eating at Sodas—you can explore Costa Rica on a budget without sacrificing experiences.
What is the cheapest way to travel around Costa Rica?
👉 The most affordable way is by public buses, which cost between $2–$20 per ride. For short distances, shared shuttles and colectivos are budget-friendly options.
Where can I find cheap accommodations in Costa Rica?
👉 Some of the best budget-friendly stays are in San José, Cahuita, Montezuma, and La Fortuna. Check out our free guide for affordable places to stay in San Jose, Costa Rica!