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Costa Rica on a Budget

Travel Guides | Central America | Costa Rica | Destinations | San Jose

We spent two months in Costa Rica, discovering ways to enjoy its stunning nature, lively cities, and rich culture all the 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.

Affordable Places to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica

Ever wonder how we snag comfy crashpads without blowing the budget? Research, research, RESEARCH (with a capital R!). Finding a decent, affordable places to stay in San Jose took some digging.  “Affordable” is subjective, of course. This ain’t a list of bare-bones hostels, but a curated selection of budget-friendly accommodations we unearthed for our stay in San Jose. Our mission? Nightly rates under $50! And if it had a washer, it was an even better steal! We prioritized functionality and value. We sifted through listings, filtering for: And let’s not forget the golden rule: location, location, location! We’re walkin…

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a picture we took at the National Museum of Costa Rica

The #1 Reason You Should visit San Jose, 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 San Jose, Costa Rica, a little earlier than originally planned. We are so glad we did! The National Museum of Costa Rica is now our #1 top must-see attraction in San Jose Costa Rica! In this blog post, we detail our tour of the museum, including its architectural splendors and the fascinating insights we gained into Costa…

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San Jose Natural Science Museum

Dinosaurs to Butterflies: What to Expect at Costa Rica’s Natural Science Museum la Salle

Since we had a few extra days in San Jose, Costa Rica, we decided to venture off the beaten path and check out Costa Rica’s Natural Science Museum la Salle. This museum doesn’t make it onto most travel itineraries. Oh sure local families and schools love to take the kids there but it’s kind of hidden in an industrial-looking compound – behind a gate and there’s no sign for the museum near the gate. For nature lovers, this place is a goldmine. Did you know Costa Rica hosts nearly 6% of the world’s plant and animal species? The Natural…

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picture of someone planning a san jose costa rica itinerary

San José, Costa Rica: A 3-Day Itinerary

San Jose, Costa Rica: 3-Day Itinerary We didn’t have huge expectations for San José. Let’s be honest—most people pass through this city 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 glad we stuck around. That’s why we crafted this three-day itinerary—it’s our way of distilling the highlights of our trip into a manageable timeline. Whether you’re passing through on your way to the coast or want a short city break, this plan gives you a taste of San José’s…

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photo we took at the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica

Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica

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 architectural influence. A guided tour offers a closer look at the theater’s history, design, and its role in Costa Rican culture. From detailed murals to marble statues, there’s much to appreciate, even if you’re not deeply familiar with theater or architecture. Whether you’re planning to see a performance…

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View of garden through the railing at the museum

11 Budget-Friendly Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica on foot!

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 life! We prefer to lace up our shoes and explore the city on foot, so here are some of the best things to do in San Jose for budget-minded travelers like us. Whether you’re a traveler or just looking for affordable ways to experience San…

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Traveling Soon?

Checkout these helpful resources!

  • Looking for Budget-Friendly Accommodations? – We suggest Booking.com and Expedia
  • Need help finding the best deals on flights? – We suggest Skyscanner and DailyDropPro
  • Want to rent a car? – We suggest DiscoverCars.com
  • Traveling by bus? – We suggest Busbuds!
  • Need Travel Insurance? – We suggest Visitors Coverage
  • Need international data? – We suggest Airalo or Gigsky
  • Scan our resource page for recs we personally use and LOVE

👉Don’t forget to grab your Free Itinerary Checklist

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Sandra

American Expat Nomad, living abroad on a modest budget, one country at a time.

In 2023 my husband and I sold 99.9999% of everything we owned, packed our lives into carry-on luggage and dove into fulltime international travel to figure out where in the world we could actually afford to live without draining our savings. If you're interested in doing the same, following along at https://themobileretiree.com

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About Us

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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.

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