I Spent 7 Days in Costa Rica and This Is What It Cost

What I learned from my trip to Costa Rica

My big lesson here was around accommodations: I thought I was saving money by booking an Airbnb, but this choice ended up costing me valuable time. In the end, when my Airbnb wasn’t up to snuff, I was stuck inside researching safer and cleaner accommodations when I really wanted to spend my time enjoying the natural beauty of Costa Rica. In the future, I’ll book a hotel instead—even if it costs more money, it will be worth it to me to avoid the hassle and inconsistencies of Airbnb.

During my trip, when I wasn’t dealing with Airbnb issues, I really appreciated and enjoyed the unplanned things that cost little to nothing: wandering around town, observing sloths and other wildlife, chatting with residents and shopkeepers, waking up to see a rainbow over Arenal Volcano, and ending the trip with an impromptu salsa lesson. I learned that it’s definitely worth leaving unplanned time for these moments, which ultimately reaffirmed to me that travel doesn’t have to cost a lot to be meaningful. I was admittedly short on time and money, yet was open to the adventure. And that paid off in ways you can’t put a price tag on.

How to save money in Costa Rica

Food costs add up quickly, so on a trip to Costa Rica, I recommend choosing hotels that include a free and generous breakfast to fuel you up at the start of your day. When dining out, look for the small, locally-run restaurants called sodas, where you’ll typically find home-cooked meals, fair prices, and big portions.

Rental cars can be costly, so if you’re traveling solo, opting for shared shuttles and group tours can save you some money (and eliminate the stress of driving, so you can sit back and enjoy the views!). Costa Rica’s high season runs from November through April, when the Pacific Coast in particular is crowded with sunseekers and holidaymakers, so consider traveling during the “green season” from May to November when steadier rains arrive in much of the country and prices drop slightly.