How Much Does a Costa Rica Trip Cost?

This seems to be the question on the mind of anyone who wants to go to Costa Rica. After all, it’s one of the more expensive places in Latin America and has a wide range of options for different kinds of travelers. So the cost depends on quite a few factors, all of which I’ll break down here to help you start planning the Costa Rica trip of your dreams:

Flights

This is where your Costa Rica trip cost will vary the most, as it depends on where you live and how far it is from you. If you are coming from a major US city, from which you can take a direct flight to San José, expect to pay around $500-700 round-trip.

Besides your location, the other major factor that influences flight prices to Costa Rica is the time of year. High season in Costa Rica is from December to March, which is when the prices are the highest. Also consider that even though June to August is technically low season (due to the heavy rain), it’s also during school vacation, so it can be just as pricey as traveling during high season due to the demand.

Accommodations

Everywhere I went in Costa Rica had a wide range of accommodations, all at vastly different price points. This makes travel here more accessible to a greater variety of people, which I love to see. From backpacker-friendly hostels to luxury stays, this is what you can expect to pay in Costa Rica for accommodations:

Budget-friendly hostels & Airbnbs

A lot of backpackers travel through Costa Rica, so you can expect to find affordable hostels and even Airbnbs in any major city or town. Generally, you can find dorms for as low as $16/night. Selina is a popular chain that has dorms and private rooms, with some of the best amenities you can find in a hostel, including free Wi-fi, social events, organized activities, volunteer opportunities, and coworking spaces. There are Selinas in La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and about a dozen other places in Costa Rica.

I found some cheap Airbnbs in Costa Rica, too. This one in Manuel Antonio was only $28/night, and I stayed in this one in Monteverde for only $38/night.

Whether you can score an affordable Airbnb for a more private experience or you’re looking for the cheapest hostel, budget travelers can expect to pay $16-40/night on accommodations in Costa Rica.

Mid-range hotels

Just as there are plenty of backpacker hostel options in Costa Rica, there are tons of mid-range hotels to choose from. I only stayed in one hotel, in La Fortuna, called