This article is geared mainly toward backpackers and individuals on a lower budget planning on visiting Costa Rica in the near future. Even so, it is our hope that families and others who wish to lower their travel costs will find some useful advice.

Writing about budget travel is a lot like writing about ice cream, there are many different flavors and what seems tasty to some may not necessarily be appealing to others. With this in mind we have tried wherever possible to insert information that is both relevant and interesting to the widest possible audience.

While Costa Rica may not be the budget traveler’s paradise it was in times past, savvy travelers can still find many ways to substantially cut costs in transportation, food, lodging and activities.

Packing

Pack light, pack light, pack light. Don’t underestimate this advice. After lugging a forty-pound backpack across town - for the fifth time - you’d be surprised how many so-called “essential” items could have been left behind. Many items such as mosquito repellant, soap, shampoo etc. can be purchase in Costa Rica for about the same price (or cheaper) as in the U.S. or Canada. A small portable backpack is ideal, especially if you’re planning to travel often by bus. Just ask anyone who has ever had to haul what felt like their dead uncle onto a bus crammed with humanity, it’s not a pretty sight. You may even have to pay for an extra seat, or worse, have it loaded under the bus. Will you ever see it again? A small backpack fits snuggly under your seat or in the overhead compartment (if there is one), and you’ll never have to worry about it getting lost. There is no need to take too many clothes as they can be easily washed and dried normally overnight. Pick clothes for your trip that are easy to wash, such as drip-dry garments. Bring only necessary clothing: beach sandals, sturdy boots, two or three T-shirts, a couple of shorts, one pair of long pants, a couple underwear and socks and a light sweater. The thought of wearing the same thing day in and day out may seem terrible now, but you’ll get used to it (even if others don’t) and be grateful for getting rid of some unnecessary weight.

Transportation

Traveling by public bus is one of the most inexpensive ways to get around in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has an extensive bus transportation network that covers practically every corner of the country. Buses have set routes and leave regularly from particular bus stops downtown. When traveling in and around the central valley, expect to pay less than US50 cents per ride. Traveling to the coasts or further a field will cost you approximately a dollar per hour, which is still an exceptional bargain. Another slightly more expensive option is to use the Fantasy Bus, which provides air-conditioned access to some of the more popular tourist destinations such as Tamarindo, Liberia, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Viejo. Expect to pay about $19 for this service. Taxis are another relatively inexpensive way to get around San José, although we would not recommend hiring one for longer trips (take the bus). They are bright red and extremely abundant in San José and around the central valley. Renting a car is probably not a good option for people on a budget unless you are traveling in a group of three or four and can split the cost. Two local airlines, Sansa and Travelair, offer transport services to most of the principal tourist destinations throughout the country. Prices are reasonable but not recommended for travelers on a limited budget.

Food

Dinning in Costa Rica can be expensive if you’re not careful. Many restaurants cater to tourists and may not be a good value for your money. The best advice for those looking for budget dinning options is to see where the locals go. Family-run sodas offer inexpensive casados that include meat, vegetables, cabbage salad, rice and beans, and sometimes tortillas. The national dish is ‘gallo pinto’ which translates directly into English as ‘spotted rooster’. Made from fried rice and black beans it sometimes includes fried eggs and is mainly served as breakfast but also makes for tasty lunchtime filler. Fast food restaurants are also another relatively cheap way to eat, but probably not the healthiest way to go. More expensive restaurants usually have a daily special which can be a good value for your money. Many towns have weekend markets that sell a healthy variety of fruits, vegetables and other local delicacies at reasonable prices. Supermarkets can be a good place to stock up with bread, fruits, cheese and water or juice. Water is considered to be potable in the central valley and most parts of the country, but we recommend you stick with the bottled variety just to be on the safe side. Try to avoid raw fruits and salads in all but higher quality restaurants, unless, that is, kneeling before the porcelain goddess is your idea of a good time. Washing your hands and using the same common sense you do at home should keep you safe from most unpleasant situations.

Lodging

One good way to find hot accommodation deals is to plan your vacation well in advance and during the off-season when hotel rates are usually cheaper due to less demand. Call the hotel and ask for the exact day its off-season rates start. Sharing a room with another companion is also a good way to cut costs. Once in Costa Rica you should have no problem finding budget hotels, hostels and cabinas throughout the country. Most lower end hotels and hostels are located in city centers, although there are exceptions. Ask if any prepared meals are available at the hotel or hostel, free or otherwise. Some hotels provide a basic breakfast, while others have cafeterias where you can buy two or even three meals a day. Cabinas are usually family run affairs that are located near beaches and other highly frequented tourist areas. These are individual cabin type accommodations that are usually quite clean and very reasonably priced. A number of B&Bs have sprung up during the last few years of varying price and quality, from a room in someone's house with a home-cooked breakfast to elegant guest houses with pools and tennis courts. Many are renovated older homes located in San José’s historical district and tend to be quite expensive. For those travelers planning to spend a fair amount of time in Costa Rica’s more remote regions, jungle and mountain lodges may be an option. Although most tend to be quite expensive, there are some deals to be found. Many lodges are also located near popular national parks and other natural attractions. Price usually includes meals.

Activities

Although certainly not the most picturesque city in the world, San José does offer visitors on a budget a variety of interesting sites and activities. Detailed information can be found at the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism’s main tourist office located at Apartado 777 in San Jose and also at a smaller branch located at Juan Santamaria International Airport. Chief among these are the Museo Nacional (National Museum), the Museo del Oro Pre-Colobmio (Gold Museum), and the National Theatre, which are inexpensive and offer a fascinating look at Costa Rica’s architectural and cultural history. Take some time to wander through colorful local markets, browse shops or simply relax at a sidewalk café. Somewhat more expensive but defiantly worth a one time splurge is a visit to the Irazú or Poás volcanoes located less than two hours from the capital. Several tour operators offer daily tours to these volcanoes as well as exciting white water rafting and canopy adventures. Most visitors to Costa Rica are here to visit the country’s wonderful beaches and the world-famous system of national parks. Some of the most well known beaches are Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio and Playa Sámara on the Pacific coast and Cahuita on the Caribbean, all easily accessed by public transportation. Most national parks can be visited by public bus or car, although some like Corcovado are quite a distance from San José. The entrance fee to most national parks is $6 plus $2 for camping if permitted. Reasonably priced and free outdoor activities in and around national parks and beaches include bird watching, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, botanical gardens and butterfly farms.

So where do we go from here?

Being in close proximity to the local culture is one of the most rewarding aspects of traveling on a budget. The so-called hassles of searching for a place to spend the night, traveling on sometimes crowded buses (through beautiful scenery) and making your own way through an unfamiliar landscape will soon be forgotten as you meet new people, forge long lasting friendships and accumulate experiences that challenge your mind and renew your spirit. That’s what traveling is all about!