Costa Rica Guide

travel information and maps

  • Vacation Planning
  • Best Trips Ever>>
  • More Fun Than Humanly Possible
  • Costa Rica
    • Top Ten
    • Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
    • Things To Do in Costa Rica
    • Maps
    • Transportation
      • Rental Cars
        • Advantages of Driving
        • Disadvantages Driving
        • Code of the Road
        • Navigation & Drive Time
        • Rental Insurance Explained
        • Can’t Get There
      • Airports
        • Flights Worth Taking
        • LIR or SJO
        • Airfare Deals
        • Domestic Airlines
        • Domestic Air Tips
      • Taxis
      • Bus Schedule
    • Food
      • Typical Menu
      • Batidos & Refrescos
      • Gallo Pinto
      • Tamales
      • Ceviche
      • Ensalada Palmito
      • Sopa Negra
      • Vinagre Chilera
    • Weather
      • Seasons in Costa Rica
      • Current Storms in Costa Rica
    • Regions
  • Nature & Wildlife
    • National Parks
    • Wildlife Refuges
    • Ecozones
    • Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica
  • Practical Info
    • Health & Safety
      • Health Tips
        • Altitude Sickness
        • Chikungunya
        • Natural Disasters
      • Crime
        • Cons & Rip-offs
        • Corruption
        • Violent Crime
    • Will My Phone Work?
    • Packing List
    • Passports & Docs
    • Money – How To?
    • How Much Does it Cost?
    • Travel Tips
  • Stories
    • Photos
    • Trek Across Costa Rica
    • Sendero de Oro
    • Quebrada Gata
    • Bicycle Touring
    • About Us
  • Move to Costa Rica
  • Free Travel Pack
no obligation custom trip plan & price quote

1-866-816-0197

· Copyright © 2025 ·

Tipping Guidelines

5 colon note is worth about a penny

how much to tip? | colones or dollars? | not culturally acceptable? What About the Tip Included in Restaurant Bills? When you go to your automobile mechanic you receive an itemized bill for parts and labor.  Similarly when you go to a restaurant in Costa Rica you get a bill for food and a … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

How Much Does Costa Rica Cost?

A few of the things you need to consider when budgeting for travel to Costa Rica

A week of vacation in Costa Rica costs between $850 and $1,450 for an average traveler in mid-priced hotels, lodges or rental houses and doing standard tours (assuming double occupancy).  Beachfront accommodations and high dollar activities like deep sea fishing will quickly push the budget over … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Costa Rica Travel Budget & Cost Calculator

Costa Rica travel budget calculator

instant...no e-mail or credit card required It only takes a minute to estimate how much you'll spend and what you will get for your money.  Enter your info and your travel budget reads out instantly at the bottom. other Costa Rica budget information save a million | kids | food | tour … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Save a Million

Costa Rican colón notes feature wildlife and nature

A million Colones is about $1,700 and it's possible for two people to save that much on a week long vacation in Costa Rica using the money saving ideas below... How to Save a Million Colones Traveling in Costa Rica...sensational title for some sensible advice Credit card car insurance … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Rent-a-Car Cost Comparisons

2020 Costa Rica rent a car cost comparison chart

As you can see from the rate quote comparisons below the cost for a full size SUV rental can vary from $55.59 per day from Alamo using Credit Card coverage, to $95.90 from the local company Vamos, and up to $207.92 per day with full insurance coverage. 50% off | compare prices | damages | … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

How Much Does Food Cost?

Sopa Negra Restaurante Coto in front of the church in Orosí

Obviously at popular vacation destinations you expect restaurants to have high prices just as they do at tourist beaches, ski areas and amusement parks all over the world, but food prices have gotten crazy in Costa Rica even in supermarkets in backwater ranching towns. One question that we … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Isn’t That Free?

Hiking Cerro Amigos Costa Rica

There are a number of things that travelers incorrectly assume are going to be free.  An unexpected $50 - $100 expense or two can mess with your plans so read on and budget accordingly. Trails It's easy to understand where people from the U.S. get the notion that hiking, mountain biking and … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Eating Cheap?

supermarket produce section

Supermarkets, Produce Stands and Local Mercados Buying food in stores is cheaper than going to restaurants but it's still relatively expensive in Costa Rica. Comparing the untouristed rural area where we work in Costa Rica with our hometown in Colorado, shopping in the local produce markets, … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Budgeting with Children

Kids in Hammock

We often talk to families who are surprised that other than the bar tab the cost for Mom & Dad plus a 16, 13, 11 and 9 year old to travel will most likely be about the same as three adult couples. Airfare, Transfers & Rental Cars On airplanes anyone older than one year may require a seat … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

How Much Does Travel Cost?

A few of the things you need to consider when budgeting for travel to Costa Rica

Many people believe that Costa Rica is a developing country and therefore a budget travel destination.  While cheap dorm beds and public buses are very economical for backpackers, the average traveler spends a bit more for convenience, amenities, and comfort. Use the average 2019/2020 costs … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Get the Most for Your Money

Prison Bars Beach

About 30% of the cost of everything you buy goes to advertising and marketing.  Sometimes it's over 80%. Too Cheap to Advertise The only way to consistently avoid paying for advertising is to stay below the marketing radar.  Backpackers always seem to get so much more for their money because they … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact


toll free Costa Rica travel desk!
1-866-816-0197

CONTACT US

Budget

Budget
  • Tipping Guidelines
  • How Much Does Costa Rica Cost?
  • Costa Rica Travel Budget & Cost Calculator
  • Save a Million
  • Rent-a-Car Cost Comparisons
  • How Much Does Food Cost?
  • Isn’t That Free?
  • Eating Cheap?
  • Budgeting with Children
  • How Much Does Travel Cost?
  • Get the Most for Your Money



Costa Rica Guide on facebook
Costa Rica Guide on Facebook