Saving Money In Costa Rica

Posted in Costa Rica, General Travel Tips on Oct 28th, 2008

Costa Rica can be expensive if you want it to. There are plenty of high-end hotels and restaurants that are as expensive as anything in the United States.

Here are some tips:

Avoid any American franchises or American themed restaurants. They are even more expensive than their North American counterparts. If you eat at Denny’s you will pay Outback prices.
Avoid any place where you see an older American/European crowd. These folks usually have large bankrolls and the restaurants charge accordingly.
Look for hotels and restaurants away from the bus stops and centers of town. I recommend renting a car. Its an extra expense but you can make it up in cheaper lodgings and food.
Shop for meals in the local grocery stores. Costa Rican food, especially canned, is quite good and easy on the stomach. Costa Rican food is typically not spicy.
Look for small eateries where you see locals chowing down. You can still find a good meal for three or four dollars American if you stay out of the tourist spots.
Buy a fan and stay in hotels without AC. Nights are fairly cool on the Pacific side. I have found that a fan or an open window with a breeze allows me to sleep comfortably. Hotels do not always have fans so its a small investment that pays for itself since rooms with AC are much more expensive.
If possible buy all your toiletries and clothes at home. Lodging and food can be cheap in Costa Rica but the Wal-Mart is cheaper for most everything else. Costa Rica has high tariffs so buy your sandals and insect repellent back home.
Do not be afraid to haggle. People from the United States are not used to this and may feel embarrassed but you won’t be offending anyone if you try to negotiate a lower price.
Food at the San Jose airport is crazy expensive. Eat or buy something beforehand otherwise you’ll pay over ten bucks for a Burger King combo meal.
Buy fruit from roadside stands or the downtown markets. You’ll get great produce at a great price. I do this a lot when I am down there. Its so good for you and it reduces your eating costs.
When eating in a local restaurant ask for “un casado”. This is a cheap but filling dish that consists of rice, beans, some type of meat and veggies of some sort.
If you don’t mind sleeping in a tent you can find campgrounds that will provide a matress, tent and bedding for less than ten dollars a day. You might not want to spend an entire week like this but its a good way to save money for a day or two. Campgrounds might not be as comfy as a hotel room, though you’d be surprised, but they are a great way to meet people.