Every Costa Rica budget guide says the same thing: "Costa Rica can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be." That's true, and it's also useless. You searched because you want to know what a meal costs, what a rental car costs, and whether your budget can handle a two-week trip.
This guide has actual prices. We live in the Northern Interior, host international guests, and track what things cost. Where prices vary by region or season, we say so. Where something is a ripoff, we say that too.
One note: Costa Rica is expensive by Central American standards. It's more comparable to Mexico's tourist zones or southern Europe than to Southeast Asia. That said, an incredible trip at $75–100/day per person is entirely possible, you just need to know where the money goes.
The Quick Budget Breakdown
What a two-week trip costs for two people traveling together:
Budget ($75–125/day per couple): Hostels or budget Airbnbs, sodas for meals, rental car split or public buses, free hikes plus one paid activity every 2–3 days. 14-day total: $1,050–1,750 plus flights.
Mid-Range ($150–270/day per couple): Mid-range Airbnb or lodge with breakfast, mix of sodas and restaurants, compact SUV rental, one activity per day. 14-day total: $2,100–3,780 plus flights.
Comfortable ($300–530/day per couple): Boutique lodge or eco-resort, restaurants for most meals, SUV rental, tours and guided wildlife. 14-day total: $4,200–7,420 plus flights.
Food: What Things Actually Cost
Sodas (Local Restaurants)
Sodas are small, family-run restaurants serving traditional food. They're where Costa Ricans eat, and the food is usually excellent.
Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein, plantain): ₡2,500–4,500 ($5–9)
Gallo pinto breakfast (with eggs, tortilla, coffee): ₡2,000–3,000 ($4–6)
Arroz con pollo: ₡2,500–3,500 ($5–7)
Fresh fruit juice: ₡800–1,500 ($1.50–3)
Coffee: ₡500–1,000 ($1–2)
Imperial beer: ₡1,000–1,500 ($2–3)
Tourist Restaurants
Main course: $12–25
Burger: $10–16
Seafood dish: $15–30
Cocktail: $8–14
Craft beer: $4–7
Groceries (Self-Catering)
Rice (1 kg): ₡800–1,200 ($1.50–2.50)
Black beans (1 kg): ₡1,000–1,500 ($2–3)
Eggs (dozen): ₡2,000–2,500 ($4–5)
Chicken breast (kg): ₡3,500–5,000 ($7–10)
Bananas (bunch): ₡500–800 ($1–1.50)
Pineapple: ₡800–1,500 ($1.50–3)
6-pack Imperial: ₡3,500–5,000 ($7–10)
Budget strategy: Eat your main meal at lunch at a soda. Dinner at tourist restaurants costs 3–4x more for comparable food. Farmers' markets on weekends have the best produce prices.
Accommodation: What Each Level Gets You
Level: Hostel dorm · Price Range (couple): $10–18/person · What You Get: Bed, locker, shared bathroom, Wi-Fi
Level: Budget Airbnb/cabina · Price Range (couple): $30–60 · What You Get: Private space, kitchen, Wi-Fi, local host
Level: Mid-range hotel/lodge · Price Range (couple): $60–150 · What You Get: AC, breakfast included, pool, nature setting
Level: Boutique/eco-luxury · Price Range (couple): $150–400+ · What You Get: Full service, guided activities, restaurant
The smart move: A $45/night Airbnb in Venecia or Bajos del Toro gives you a private space with kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a host who knows everything about the area. In La Fortuna, $45 gets you a smaller room further from town. Location matters more than star ratings.
Transport: The Biggest Variable
Rental Cars
Type: Economy car · Daily Cost: $35–55 · With Insurance & Gas: $55–75 actual daily cost
Type: Compact SUV (what most need) · Daily Cost: $50–80 · With Insurance & Gas: $75–110 actual daily cost
Type: Full-size SUV · Daily Cost: $80–120+ · With Insurance & Gas: $110–150+ actual daily cost
Gas: ~₡700–800/liter (~$5.30–6.00/gallon). A full tank lasts 3–5 days of moderate driving.
The honest truth: When people say "I rented for $35/day," that's the base rate. After mandatory insurance, optional coverage (recommended), and fuel, budget $75–100/day for a compact SUV. For two people on a multi-destination trip, a car usually saves money vs. shuttles, and dramatically improves flexibility.
Public Buses
Route: San José → La Fortuna · Price: $6–7 · Duration: 4–5 hours
Route: San José → Manuel Antonio · Price: $9–11 · Duration: 3.5 hours
Route: San José → Monteverde · Price: $6–8 · Duration: 4.5 hours
Route: San José → Liberia · Price: $10–13 · Duration: 4 hours
Route: Local bus (in town) · Price: $0.50–1 · Duration: Varies
Buses are cheap and cover major routes. They won't take you to trailheads, waterfalls, or rural accommodations. No direct bus to Bajos del Toro or Venecia.
Shuttles
Shared shuttle (Interbus, Caribe): $40–65/person
Private transfer: $80–200+
Uber (San José metro only): $5–15
Activities: What Tours and Entrances Cost
National Parks
Manuel Antonio: $18
Arenal Volcano: $15
Tortuguero: $15
Tenorio (Río Celeste): $12
Corcovado: $15 + required guide ($70–100)
Waterfall Entrances
Waterfall: Catarata del Toro + Blue Falls combo · Price: $25 · Value Assessment: Best value. 90m crater + 6 blue swimming waterfalls.
Waterfall: Catarata del Toro alone · Price: $15 · Value Assessment: Great. Volcanic crater, hummingbird garden.
Waterfall: La Fortuna Waterfall · Price: $18 · Value Assessment: Good but crowded. Arrive at 7:30 AM.
Waterfall: La Paz Waterfall Gardens · Price: $48 · Value Assessment: Beautiful but expensive. Theme park feel.
Waterfall: Nauyaca · Price: $10–12 · Value Assessment: Excellent swimming. Hike or horseback.
Waterfall: Llanos de Cortés · Price: Free, $3 · Value Assessment: Stunning. Donation-based.
Waterfall: Montezuma · Price: Free · Value Assessment: Two tiers, swimming, near beach town.
Popular Tours
Zipline/canopy: $50–95
Whitewater rafting (Class III–IV): $65–100
Safari float (Sarapiquí): $50–65
Canyoneering/rappelling: $65–100
Hot springs (resort: Tabacón/Baldi/EcoTermales): $42–99
Hot springs (local: Recreo Verde): ~$12
Night wildlife walk: $35–50
ATV tour: $65–90
Free Activities
Don't underestimate these: hiking in national parks (after entry), swimming at free waterfalls, all public beaches, Zarcero topiary gardens, farmers' markets, the Bajos del Toro village waterfall (visible from the road bridge), wildlife spotting from public roads and trails.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Credit card fees: Many US cards charge 3% foreign transaction fees. Get a no-fee card before your trip. Over two weeks, 3% adds up.
ATM fees: Costa Rican ATMs charge ₡1,500–2,500 ($3–5) per withdrawal. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently.
Restaurant service charge: 10% "servicio" is added automatically. This IS the tip. Don't double-tip unless service was exceptional.
Sales tax: 13% IVA included in store prices, sometimes added on top at restaurants. Check your bill.
Water: Tap water is safe to drink in most of Costa Rica. Bring a reusable bottle, save $3–5/day on bottled water.
Parking "watchmen": In tourist areas, informal guards ask for tips to watch your car. ₡500–1,000 ($1–2) is standard. Part of the system.
The Bajos del Toro Value Comparison
Premier waterfall
Tourist Corridor: La Paz Gardens: $48
Bajos del Toro Area: Catarata del Toro + Blue Falls: $25
Savings: $23/person
Hot springs
Tourist Corridor: Tabacón: $99
Bajos del Toro Area: Recreo Verde: ~$12
Savings: $89/person
Blue water swimming
Tourist Corridor: Río Celeste: Can't swim ($12)
Bajos del Toro Area: Blue Falls: Can swim ($17–20)
Savings: Priceless
Mid-range couple accommodation
Tourist Corridor: La Fortuna: $80–150/night
Bajos del Toro Area: Venecia area: $50–65/night
Savings: $20–85/night
Crowds
Tourist Corridor: High
Bajos del Toro Area: Low to very low
A couple visiting Bajos del Toro for two days instead of the standard La Fortuna loop saves $100–200 while having a more intimate experience.
Currency & Payment Tips
Colones vs. dollars. $1 USD ≈ ₡500–510 (early 2026). Pay in colones for colón-priced items, dollars for dollar-priced items. Hotels and tours are usually priced in dollars; sodas and supermarkets in colones.
Credit cards. Widely accepted in tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard best. Small sodas and rural businesses may be cash-only.
Tipping. The 10% service charge on restaurant bills is the tip. For tour guides, $6–10/person is generous. Costa Ricans tip modestly, no expectation of 20%.