Daily budget calculator

Understanding Costa Rica travel costs

Backpackers ($40–65/person/day) stay in hostel dorms ($15–25/night), eat at sodas (local diners, $5–10 per meal) and use public buses. National park entry adds $15–22 per visit.

Mid-range travelers ($90–150/person/day) split a comfortable hotel ($80–140/night for a double), eat at mid-range restaurants ($15–30 per meal) and use shared shuttles or a budget car rental. This is the most common profile for independent travelers.

Luxury travelers ($300–700+/person/day) choose eco-lodges like Lapa Rios ($600–800/night), book private transfers and guided tours, and dine at resort restaurants.

The Osa Peninsula and remote Caribbean destinations push costs up due to internal flights or boat access. Guanacaste all-inclusive resorts can distort per-day figures significantly. For a full planning overview, read our money and currency guide and the best time to visit guide.

Need airport transport? See our airport-to-destination transfers guide.