How much does a trip to Costa Rica cost? Daily budget and prices

Figures are per person per day, sharing a room at mid-range and comfort, and exclude international flights. They are 2026 estimates. A rental car with the mandatory insurance is the single biggest swing for two or more travellers, and peak-season pricing (roughly December to April) pushes beds and cars up — check rates for your dates.

Start with the tier, then adjust for how you move. A rental car with mandatory insurance adds US$45–110 a day and splits well between two to four people; shuttles cost US$55–80 a leg and suit solo travellers who would otherwise pay the whole car alone. Public buses are the cheapest way between towns — check timetables against your plan, since slower routes can cost you a night.

Tours are the second big lever. A guided park walk runs US$35–65, an Arenal hot springs day pass US$40–100, and multi-activity days (rafting, ziplining, canyoning) sit above that. Booking two or three guided days rather than one a day is the usual way mid-range travellers keep the total near US$200 a day.

Food is easy to control. A casado at a soda costs ₡3,500–5,500 and an Imperial beer ₡1,500–2,500, so eating local keeps food near US$20–30 a day. Restaurant meals in tourist towns roughly double that. Bills usually already include 10% service and 13% VAT — check the bill before adding a tip.

Add the fixed costs before you divide by days: international flights, one night near the airport if you land late, park entry fees, and travel insurance. Then use the daily tier figure for the rest.

Prices are quoted in colones and dollars side by side in tourist areas, and change is often given in colones. Cards work at most hotels, restaurants and tour operators, but small sodas, parking attendants and some park entrances want cash. Carry a modest amount and use ATMs in towns rather than roadside machines.

If you decline the rental company's collision cover, expect a deposit of US$1,000–5,000 blocked on a credit card — check your limit before you book, because this is the most common reason a rental falls through at the counter. Third-party insurance bought in advance can reduce the deposit but not always the mandatory local liability.

Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America, and the gap is widest on tours and lodges rather than on food or buses. That is why the same two weeks can cost US$900 or US$6,000 depending on tier.