Costa Rica Travel Budget
Daily costs vary widely depending on whether travelers stick to hostels and local sodas or opt for eco-lodges and guided tours. Here is a realistic breakdown for 2026 in US dollars, the de facto second currency alongside the colon.
- Budget (dorms and local food): around $35-50 per day, covering a hostel dorm bed ($12-18), meals at local sodas ($6-9 each), public buses ($1-3 per trip), and free or low-cost attractions like public beaches and hiking trails ($5-10 entry).
- Mid-range (private rooms and mixed dining): around $90-140 per day, including a private guesthouse or 3-star hotel room ($50-80), a mix of casual and sit-down restaurants ($25-35 for three meals), rental car or shuttle transport ($15-25), and paid attractions such as national parks or zipline canopy tours ($20-45).
- Luxury (boutique hotels and private tours): $250 and up per day, covering upscale eco-resorts or beachfront hotels ($150-300), fine dining ($60-90), private drivers or domestic flights ($40-100), and premium experiences like guided volcano tours or private wildlife excursions ($80-150).
Tip: National park entry fees for foreign visitors are typically fixed at $15-18 per person, so budget travelers should plan for a few of these as a fixed cost regardless of overall spending style.