If you happen to’re planning on going backpacking, Costa Rica is a superb place to go to. Its pure magnificence, out of doors actions, affordability, and security make it a vacation spot notably interesting for finances travellers.
Backpackers in Costa Rica can discover the Nationwide Parks, jungles, and exquisite seashores, offering alternatives for out of doors actions like climbing, wildlife viewing, browsing, and extra. Costa Rica boasts a community of backpacker-friendly hostels and low-cost inns, making it easy to get pretty inexpensive lodging. And lastly, the nation’s constructive repute for being protected and hospitable to vacationers can reassure travellers going alone or in small teams.
While you’re backpacking, Costa Rica has a lot to supply!
Happening a Costa Rica backpacking journey is an effective way to not solely save in your travels but additionally expertise the nation in a extra native and genuine approach.
As you all know, we completely love Costa Rica. Given our costly expertise travelling round Costa Rica, we wished to share some suggestions and recommendation for these planning a backpacking Costa Rica vacation.
There may be a lot to be taught and much to bear in mind, so with out additional ado, let’s dive straight in! Right here’s our backpack Costa Rica journey information!
Alongside the path in Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Go to Costa Rica with the Final Costa Rica Backpacking Route
If you happen to don’t have loads of time or cash and want to spend 2 weeks or much less backpacking in Costa Rica, then this Costa Rica backpacking information is for you.
That is one of the best Costa Rica backpacking itinerary:
Since most flights arrive at Juan Santamaria Worldwide Airport (SJO), San José makes for an ideal start line for any backpacker getting into Costa Rica. From there, backpackers normally observe this route clockwise, visiting chosen locations alongside the way in which.
If you happen to’re planning on backpacking Costa Rica for an extended interval, let’s say one or two months, you possibly can nonetheless observe this Costa Rica journey information. Nevertheless, you possibly can take your time and go to a pair extra websites across the nation.
Along with hitting the principle Costa Rica backpacker hotspots like Tamarindo and Santa Teresa, you possibly can add locations like Tortuguero and Monteverde and even journey to the Caribbean coast to take a look at Cahuita and Puerto Viejo.
Costa Rica Backpacking Route
When is the Greatest Time to Go to Costa Rica for Backpackers?
Costa Rica has two seasons: the dry season, from December to April and the wet season or “Inexperienced Season,” from Could to November. The dry season is fashionable with vacationers, so whereas the solar’s out, anticipate the vacationer crowds to point out up, too.
Because the identify suggests, the wet season or “inexperienced season” is a really moist and really inexperienced time of 12 months. Personally, we predict these are one of the best months to go to Costa Rica in case you’re keen to probability a little bit of rain.
Playa Lagartillo, Guanacaste
Standard Locations For Backpacking Costa Rica
If you happen to plan to spend 2 weeks in Costa Rica, seeing about 5 totally different locations will make for a fast-paced expertise, however you’ll fill every single day with epic adventures and nice recollections. Right here’s an summary of the cities you’ll cross whereas backpacking by means of Costa Rica.
San Jose
If you happen to land at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria Worldwide Airport, you possibly can start your backpacking journey right here.
San Jose is a giant metropolis with heaps to supply. It’s residence to over 2 million residents and roughly 70% of Costa Rica’s inhabitants. San Jose is damaged up into many various neighbourhoods, however the majority of backpackers keep in Downtown San Jose, near the principle transportation hub.
Downtown San Jose is a superb vacation spot to expertise the tradition and historical past of the nation. Town has many museums and artwork galleries, which provide perception into the nation’s indigenous historical past and colonial previous.
The Jade Museum and the San Jose Artisan Market are each nice methods to occupy your time and be taught one thing new on the identical time.
The Jade Museum is a pre-Columbian archaeology website, and it presents loads of perception into Costa Rican tradition. It has 5 everlasting exhibition rooms masking the traditional historical past of Costa Rica and two non permanent exhibition rooms. It additionally has a digital tour possibility.
The San Jose Artisan Market showcases native artists. It’s simple to identify, as the doorway is liberally embellished. It’s an incredible place to search out distinctive garments, toys, jewellery, art work, decorations, or furnishings, with the artisans sometimes obtainable proper there on the stall. The doorway and the aisles are huge sufficient to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, and the market is indoors, so it’s an effective way to get out of the warmth or the rain with the household.
San Jose has a vibrant meals scene, with many native eating places serving conventional Costa Rican dishes similar to gallo pinto and ceviche. Guests can even benefit from the metropolis’s energetic nightlife, which incorporates a wide range of bars and golf equipment.
As well as, San Jose serves as a hub for transportation to different elements of the nation, making it a handy start line for exploring Costa Rica.
San Jose, Costa Rica
Poas Volcano Nationwide Park
Costa Rica has no scarcity of wonderful nationwide parks, and Poas Volcano Nationwide Park isn’t any exception. Positioned simply an hour and a half north of San Jose, Poas Volcano Nationwide Park is likely one of the hottest energetic volcanoes in Costa Rica.
Poas Volcano is famend for each its common eruptions and its sizable acidic crater lake. For the reason that 1820s, the volcano has erupted greater than 40 instances, with the latest eruption going down in 2017.
Various climbing routes snake by means of the encircling cloud forest within the park and supply gorgeous views of the crater and the environment. Guests can even hike to the crater’s edge and see the seething, steamy lake beneath.
The Poás Volcano Nationwide Park is residence to all kinds of flora and wildlife, together with many sorts of birds and mammals, along with its volcanic exercise.
Poas Volcano Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a well-known nature and wildlife vacation spot within the Costa Rican province of Alajuela. Positioned simply 31 kilometres (19 miles) north of San Jose downtown, the gardens cowl an space of 70 acres and are residence to quite a few magnificent waterfalls, a lush tropical rainforest, and a wide range of fauna.
The group of 5 waterfalls that may be seen from a number of pathways and viewing platforms is one among La Paz Waterfall Gardens’ major attracts. The falls, which have heights between 120 and 37 meters, present breathtaking views of the environment.
The gardens additionally embrace a number of shows and animal habitats, similar to a frog exhibit, a serpentarium, a hummingbird backyard, and a butterfly observatory.
The Hummingbird Backyard has 24 species of hummingbirds, the orchid pond has a frog pond with poison dart frogs, the serpentarium has over 30 species of snakes, and the butterfly backyard is the scale of a soccer subject and appears like a scene straight out of a fairytale.
La Paz Waterfall
Jaco
Jaco Seaside, Costa Rica’s fashionable resort city, is the subsequent cease for backpackers in Costa Rica. Right here, you’ll discover numerous waterfalls, good surf seashores, and even some Nature Reserves the place you possibly can spot numerous distinctive animals, together with the Scarlet Macaws, in addition to different creatures like monkeys, frogs, and snakes.
Jaco additionally has numerous social gathering venues, bars, golf equipment, and even a on line casino. You possibly can social gathering all evening if that’s what you wish to do.
Playa Jaco, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park
It’s doable to prepare a day journey to Manuel Antonio. If you happen to solely have time for one factor there, we extremely suggest a go to to the Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park. It’s one among Costa Rica’s hottest nationwide parks, and for good purpose. It’s residence to a real tropical rainforest with superior climbing trails that lead you to pristine seashores with wealthy coral reefs. The park’s major sights are its wildlife, a wide range of scenic climbing trails, and the gorgeous Manuel Antonio seaside.
Park entrance is USD $16 + tax for adults and may be bought on-line 1 day previous to entry or on the ticket sales space whenever you’re there. As a result of giant variety of guests on the park, there’s a restrict of 600 simultaneous guests on weekdays and 800 on weekends, so it’s higher to buy your tickets on-line to ensure your slot.
If there’s room in your finances to rent a information, go for it! A superb fee is about $10-$20 per individual, they usually may help you see the wildlife and share extra details about the park. However, a self-guided tour isn’t half dangerous, both. Simply be sure to carry a pair of binoculars as you discover the forest. Go on one of many many climbing trails, make your approach right down to the seaside, and hop on a sundown cruise to shut the day.
With 1,983 hectares that’s residence to an unimaginable array of pure magnificence, you’ll wish to take your time and spend a number of days at Manuel Antonio. If you happen to do have a number of days to spare, we’d say 3 days within the space is an effective period of time to discover, loosen up alongside lovely seashores, and check out different actions like climbing, browsing, zip-lining, and horseback using.
Manuel Antonio Seaside, Costa Rica
Isla Tortuga
If you happen to preserve going up the coast from Barranca, you’ll ultimately arrive in a small sandbar referred to as Puntarenas (similar to the province). This cute port city is about 4 blocks huge at its widest level. There are a number of eating places on the seaside, however they largely include native homes and low cost lodging.
This small sandbar acts as a significant hyperlink providing ferry transfers to the Nicoya Peninsula, the place most backpackers head subsequent.
The ferries departing from Punta Arenas will take you to Ferry Paquera. From there, you have to take a cab experience over to Curu Wildlife Refuge. Taxis line up on the Ferry terminal. They’ll drop you off on a subject of cows. Stroll by means of the fields of cows till you get to the seaside. Don’t be alarmed. You is perhaps the one individual at this seaside.
There, you’ll discover a shack the place you should purchase snacks and ask in regards to the boat to Isla Tortuga or Turtle Island. The boat solely holds a few folks. You possibly can spend your complete day at Isla Tortuga. It’s extremely picturesque. The water is as clear as daylight. Will probably be all the pieces you’ve imagined a Costa Rican island to be!
Isla Tortuga is a distant and abandoned island with completely no lodging or eating places. It’s solely uninhabited and saved as pure as doable. Folks love coming right here as a result of it reminds them of what Earth would appear like if left to its personal units.
If organizing a visit to Isla Tortuga by yourself sounds a bit too troublesome, take into account becoming a member of an organized tour to Isla Tortuga.
The tour will can help you stay on the island for about 4 hours and to take pleasure in totally different actions such because the Cover tour, kayaking, snorkelling, swimming, or just stress-free on the seaside whereas the crew prepares an beautiful buffet lunch.
Isla Tortuga
Montezuma
A well-liked cease for backpacking in Costa Rica is Montezuma, a small hippy city with an extended stretch of lovely white-sand seashores. The city is positioned close to Romelia Wildlife Reserve and is residence to some nice waterfalls, together with the Montezuma Falls and El Chorro Waterfall.
Montezuma is a vital seaside in Costa Rica as a result of it is likely one of the spots on the Nicoya Peninsula that’s recognized for turtle nesting. You possibly can volunteer on the Sea Turtle Volunteer ASVO and assist preserve these cute sea turtles from changing into extinct or poached.
Montezuma Waterfall
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is one other fashionable backpacking vacation spot that may be simply reached from Montezuma. Santa Teresa is understood for nice browsing and a laid-back hippy vibe. Standard day journeys from Santa Teresa embrace Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve and Curú Wildlife Reserve.
Santa Teresa is straightforward to discover on foot and has numerous nice eating places and laid-back bars.
Santa Teresa shoreline
Tamarindo
The final cease on the Pacific Coast is Tamarindo, a preferred backpacker city recognized for its unimaginable seaside, nice vibes, and tons of close by actions.
Tamarindo is far more developed than Santa Teresa however not practically as seedy as Jaco, so it strikes the right steadiness between enjoyable and energetic whereas nonetheless being fairly protected and satisfying. In the course of the excessive season, Tamarindo can get VERY busy, making it more durable to search out inexpensive lodging on the town. So in case you plan to go to between December and April, we suggest reserving your lodging upfront.
Tamarindo is residence to various gorgeous seashores, similar to Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande, which are perfect for swimming, tanning, and seaside hopping.
Backpackers could log on and seaside hopping and revel in wildlife viewing – you possibly can spot howler monkeys, iguanas, and strange birds with out leaving city. There are numerous bars and eating places in Tamarindo geared towards backpackers, like Oveja Vieja and lots of others.
There are numerous yoga studios and wellness institutions in Tamarindo that present classes and workshops for anybody searching for rest. All issues thought of, Tamarindo has one thing to supply everybody, making it a must-see location for backpackers in Costa Rica.
Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Puerto Viejo
These with loads of time to backpack Costa Rica ought to spend a while on the Caribbean coast. The city of Puerto Viejo is a favorite amongst backpackers visiting Costa Rica.
Puerto Viejo’s breathtaking seashores, like Playa Cocles and Playa Chiquita, which are perfect for swimming, browsing, and sunbathing, are a few of its major sights. A jungle that envelops the city additionally supplies prospects for trekking and wildlife viewing. Howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, and different unique species may be noticed alongside the climbing trails.
With a mix of Latin American, African, and Caribbean influences, Puerto Viejo has a definite tradition that displays its Afro-Caribbean background. The city is residence to a robust artist group, the place many shops and galleries promote gadgets manufactured within the space for souvenirs and crafts.
Although Puerto Viejo is small, there isn’t any scarcity of issues to do, whether or not you’re seeking to take a day journey to Cahuita Nationwide Park, cease by the Jaguar Rescue Heart, take a day journey into the close by mountains to be taught in regards to the Bribri folks or take one of many well-known chocolate excursions–Puerto Viejo is well-known for cacao.
Seaside views at Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Monteverde
Monteverde isn’t a very giant city, but it surely is likely one of the main ecotourism locations within the space. Monteverde is residence to 3 wildlife reserves within the highlands.
Mountaineering, zip lining, evening excursions, espresso excursions, and animal viewing are amongst different issues to do at Monteverde. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, which each provide breathtaking views of the environment, are solely two of the environmental reserves and parks that vacationers can discover. Guided evening excursions enable backpackers to see nocturnal wildlife, whereas thrilling zip line rides let friends soar by means of the treetops.
Many espresso estates with excursions and tastings may be present in Monteverde. Renting a motorbike permits backpackers to get out and see the native wildlife, together with howler monkeys, sloths, and uncommon birds.
Breathtaking view of the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica
Osa Peninsula
Positioned on the south Pacific Coast, Osa Peninsula is a must-visit vacation spot for wildlife lovers and adventurous backpackers in Costa Rica. The Osa Peninsula is residence to over half of Costa Rica’s species, and lots of species are distinctive to the peninsula; you aren’t going to see them anyplace else in Central America.
Osa Peninsula has no scarcity of issues to do. You possibly can go to Drake Bay or spend time in Puerto Jimenez, however the spotlight of any go to is a visit to Corcovado Nationwide Park. With greater than 500 tree species, 400 chicken species, and an unlimited vary of different fauna, it is likely one of the most biodiverse areas within the nation. A number of ecosystems, together with lowland rainforest, cloud forest, and mangrove swamps, could also be discovered throughout the park’s greater than 100,000 acres of land.
Probably the most difficult factor about Osa Peninsula is attending to it and getting round. The most cost effective choice to get to Osa Peninsula is by bus from San Jose to Puerto Jiménez, however it is a lengthy journey and may take as much as 12 hours, relying on the route and the time of 12 months. Some backpackers additionally select to lease a automobile and drive to the Osa Peninsula, however this generally is a troublesome and generally difficult drive, particularly throughout the wet season. A 4×4 is important when travelling to Osa Peninsula, which might not be essentially the most backpacker-friendly!
Costa Rica Osa Peninsula
Tortuguero
If the journey to the Osa Peninsula sounds a bit too troublesome or expensive, take into account taking a visit to Tortuguero as an alternative. Tortuguero is one other fashionable ecotourism vacation spot on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Well-known for the Tortuguero Nationwide Park, positioned a few 3-hour drive from San José, it’s a wonderful vacation spot for wildlife sightings.
It’s among the best locations in Central America to see turtles, and that alone is an effective purpose to pencil it into your backpacking Costa Rica itinerary. From June to October every year, inexperienced turtles come to Tortuguero’s seashores to nest and lay their eggs. As soon as it’s time for the eggs to hatch, you possibly can take a guided tour to see the child turtles make their method to the water.
Even in case you can’t go to Tortuguero throughout the turtle season, the journey to this distinctive vacation spot remains to be price it.
Caribbean coast, Tortuguero Nationwide Park
Arenal
The final cease on our urged itinerary for backpacking in Costa Rica is Arenal Volcano, positioned within the city of La Fortuna, about 3.5 hours away from Tamarindo.
Arenal Volcano is the principle drawcard of this space, however La Fortuna city presents backpackers numerous different actions and causes to increase their keep by a number of nights.
Apart from going trekking within the Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park, backpackers spend time stress-free in sizzling springs, zip-lining by means of the rainforest, exploring the La Fortuna waterfall, and occurring wildlife excursions to see sloths and monkeys, amongst different actions, within the Arenal/La Fortuna space. Additionally, for an exhilarating journey, backpackers can go white-water rafting on the encircling rivers or strive their hand at waterfall rappelling.
Lovely views of Arenal Volcano from the path in Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park
The place To Keep In Costa Rica On A Finances
While you’re backpacking, Costa Rica isn’t brief on lodging. It’s no shock that you could find tons of hostels in Costa Rica. Each city and each vacation spot beneficial above has its fair proportion of hostels. Most are nice, however some are fairly horrible, so remember to take a look at evaluations earlier than you e-book.
There are additionally some fairly distinctive properties across the nation. Listed here are a few of our favorite hostel suggestions:
- Selina Hostel is a superb finances possibility for a centrally positioned hostel in San Jose. The hostel is fashionable and clear and is positioned within the centre of Barrio Otoya’s historic neighbourhood, inside strolling distance of a few of San Jose’s major sights. The hostel incorporates a candy rooftop deck the place travellers can take pleasure in yoga within the mornings and music jam periods within the evenings.
- Jaco Inn is in downtown Jaco. Surrounded by a lush Costa Rican backyard, it’s steps from the seaside. You possibly can stroll to close by bars, eating places and nightclubs if you wish to social gathering. The hostel has an incredible open-air yoga studio. It additionally holds Jaco’s solely micro-roaster espresso store, Cafe Bohio. The rooms are trendy and clear. It’s the right location for partiers and yoga aficionados.
- Tamarindo Blue Flats presents giant and totally outfitted cottages in the midst of Tamarindo’s tropical gardens. Every residence is air-conditioned and has a kitchenette with a fridge and oven, plus a patio with a seating space and cable TV. There’s a pool on the property, and close by friends have the choice to go horseback using, biking, and diving.
- Alongside the Montezuma city centre, you’ll discover Lodge El Jardin. The gorgeous property retains you near nature, with an outside swimming pool and jacuzzi, a tropical backyard on-site, and the seaside solely 100 metres away. The rooms include an en-suite rest room and a personal terrace and are furnished with a desk and a fridge.
- Keep at an area’s home in Barranca. The Villa Guarias is positioned inland, additional away from the seaside. However in case you’re passing by means of and have a necessity to remain the evening, this cute home is ideal. Not solely is the house comfy, but it surely’s additionally clear with numerous house. It has an open-air front room and kitchen. The primary flooring has a view of the backyard, whereas on the highest flooring, you possibly can see far into the gap.
- If you wish to keep in Paquera earlier than heading to Isla Tortuga, Cabinas Naomy Paquera is budget-friendly. It’s off the principle highway, west of the Paquera ferry terminal. Despite the fact that Cabinas Naomy Paquera is a conventional lodge, its budget-friendly costs are good for backpackers. In addition they have an on-site restaurant, Wi-Fi, and shuttle service.
- Cabinas Eddy Mattress & Breakfast is tremendous inexpensive, and you may’t beat the situation in Monteverde. The lodge has a tour desk that may organize excursions and free shuttle providers to some sights. They’ve on-site Wi-Fi, and the most important lodging sleeps 4 folks.
- Pure Expertise Home in Tortuguero is a extremely rated guesthouse only a four-minute stroll away from the seaside. There’s a tour desk, a terrace, free Wi-Fi, and a fully-equipped shared kitchen, and choose rooms even have personal kitchens. Every room has a patio with a backyard view, making it the perfect spot to loosen up after an extended day of exploring.
- Pagalu Hostel is only a two-minute stroll from Playa Negra in Puerto Viejo, so it’s the right place to remain for anybody seeking to surf Costa Rica. It presents each bunk-style lodging and personal rooms, together with a well-equipped shared kitchen and free Wi-Fi. There’s a grocery store proper subsequent door, so that you don’t want to fret about entry to meals.
- Lodge Casa Gitana Corcovado is an inexpensive lodge in Drake Bay, Osa Viego, with unimaginable rankings. It’s additionally about 200 meters away from the seaside, so it’s good for anybody seeking to go diving. They provide tour reserving providers, and Drake Bay has loads of excursions which can be price attempting out, similar to Corcovado Nationwide Park. In addition they have loads of free facilities, together with parking, free breakfast, and Wi-Fi. They provide family-friendly actions to maintain children entertained, and also you’re even welcome to carry your canine with you.
Selina Lodge in Manuel Antonio
Getting Round Costa Rica On A Finances
Getting from place to put may be difficult whenever you’re backpacking. Costa Rica, sadly, doesn’t make this simple; the transportation system is likely one of the greatest downsides of the nation.
There’s a well-developed bus system throughout the nation, connecting large cities and essential hubs throughout the nation. Sadly, a few of Costa Rica’s finest backpacking locations are positioned far-off from these hubs, which makes it a little bit of a ache to get round Costa Rica utilizing the general public bus system.
Sadly, a few of Costa Rica’s finest backpacking locations are positioned far-off from these hubs, which makes it a little bit of a ache to get round Costa Rica utilizing the general public bus system.
Alongside the highway in Santa Elena, residence to the Monteverde Cloud Forest
So, if you’re planning to navigate your Costa Rica journey with out a automobile, take into account the next backpacking suggestions:
- Plan your backpacking route primarily based on public buses’ schedules. Some locations that look shut may very well require 2-3 bus modifications and require a whole day in transit. If you happen to don’t have loads of time. plan your route primarily based on direct bus routes out and in of every metropolis.
- Plan for any journey to take 1-2 hours longer than estimated. The roads in Costa Rica are slim and infrequently have potholes. Many highways solely have one lane in every course, and lots of instances, the principle highway is the one approach into a selected a part of Costa Rica. In different phrases, if there’s a automobile accident, visitors jams final for hours.
- Understand that shuttle buses generally is a nice various to public buses. Shuttle buses are much more costly ($50 every approach in comparison with $10), however they usually run between fashionable locations and may reduce your journey time/distance in half. You should use Greyline, a carbon-neutral Costa Rican shuttle firm, to e-book personal and shared shuttles throughout Costa Rica.
- Costa Rica additionally has its fair proportion of ferries. For a schedule of sure ferries, take a look at the Nicoya Peninsula Ferry web site. You too can take a look at Montezuma Seaside’s web site for the native bus schedules, ferry schedules and extra.
- To look all transportation choices, from native buses and shuttles to ferries, take a look at Bookaway, a transportation aggregator that may enable you discover one of the best and least expensive method to get from one vacation spot to a different throughout Costa Rica.
Getting Round Cities & Cities In Costa Rica
When planning your keep in every vacation spot in your itinerary, take into account how you’ll get round city with out a automobile. Some cities, like La Fortuna, are pretty compact and are simple to discover on foot, however others, like Santa Teresa, for instance, are unfold out alongside 4-5kms. Listed here are some useful suggestions for getting round cities in Costa Rica.
- Guide a hostel that provides free bike rental and use the bike to get round city. Alternatively, e-book your lodging near the town centre.
- If you find yourself renting a motorbike, remember that one of many greatest crimes in Costa Rica is bicycle theft. Be sure you at all times control it or lease an appropriate locking mechanism to lock it correctly.
- Observe that pedestrians wouldn’t have the suitable of approach in Costa Rica; at all times watch out when crossing the road or using a motorbike.
- Internal-city buses and Uber can present an alternate possibility for getting round some cities.
- Driving in Costa Rica may be worrying and add loads to your tight finances. If you’re travelling alone, keep away from renting a automobile – as the prices will add up.
- We don’t suggest ATV leases, though they’re fashionable in lots of cities in Costa Rica. Not solely are they horrible for the setting, however they’re additionally recognized to trigger a LOT of accidents. So don’t run the chance and go for a bicycle as an alternative!
Primary highway in Santa Teresa
Street to Mal Pais, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
La Fortuna city, getaway to Arenal Volcano
The city of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Consuming On A Finances In Costa Rica
Costa Rican delicacies is unquestionably a spotlight of the journey! Though Costa Rica journey is feasible on a finances, consuming out can actually make a dent in your finances.
It goes with out saying that high-end villas, fancy eating places, and spots in prime tourism areas will cost extra for each meal. A major course in a bustling restaurant can price you anyplace between USD $10 to USD $20. Costly eating places can even have further charges like Service Cost (10%), Gross sales Tax (13%), which may spherical up the worth by 23%. If you happen to’re consuming out 3 instances a day, you possibly can think about how a lot the prices will pile up.
That mentioned, the easiest way to save cash on meals whereas backpacking in Costa Rica is to purchase your individual groceries and cook dinner your individual meals. It pays to be strategic, too. As a substitute of buying in supermarkets, go for farmers’ markets the place the locals store (these are comparatively simple to search out throughout Costa Rica). You’re going to get cheaper costs on Costa Rican staples like rice and beans, greens, and different homegrown components.
If you wish to add fruit to your grocery checklist, cease by any of the roadside markets and stalls. These are open principally all day. They promote recent fruit like mangoes, avocados, pineapples, and different fruits in season for round USD $1.
For an genuine, no-frills meal, seize a chew on the native hole-in-the-wall eating places generally known as “sodas.” These are small cafés and seaside shacks that provide typical Costa Rican dishes. The meals right here is as genuine because it will get! Sodas are usually not simply cheap and scrumptious; they’re additionally very beneficiant with parts. Their seat meals can price anyplace from USD $5 to USD $10, and normally with out gross sales tax. These sodas are regionally owned, and that’s another excuse why we like to help them once we journey to Costa Rica.
Going plant-based can also be possibility. Many sodas are vegetarian, and most menus may have vegetable choices. Consuming a vegetarian or vegan weight-reduction plan in Costa Rica isn’t solely very simple but additionally VERY inexpensive!
General, our greatest tip when travelling to Costa Rica is to step exterior your consolation zone with regards to meals. You positively gained’t get monetary savings in case you solely order your regular burgers, steak, pasta, or wine. Imported components and dishes will doubtless be costlier and more durable to search out in Central America. As a substitute, dine the place the Costa Ricans do–you’ll uncover a lot whenever you’re open to tasting native dishes and new flavours you haven’t but.
Costa Rica additionally has some fabulous eating places across the nation. In case your finances permits, do take a look at some native spots the place native components and flavours are expertly mixed with worldwide tendencies to create an incredible fusion of scrumptious, wholesome meals!
Cooking easy meals may help you journey round Costa Rica on a finances
San Jose
Cafe Rojo is a extremely rated spot for good-quality Asian-fusion meals–particularly Vietnamese. They provide loads of vegetarian and vegan choices, there are tons of gluten-free choices, and you may get brunch on weekends.
Jaco
Soda Jaco Rustico is an inexpensive spot with consolation meals and typical Costa Rican meals, and the menu contains vegan and vegetarian choices. They open early and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it’s place to go in case you’re in search of a style of Central America.
Montezuma
Ylang Ylang Restaurant is a beachside restaurant positioned in a resort and has decadent and but very inexpensive choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with vegan, gluten-free, and uncooked choices. In addition they have a sushi menu.
Playa Avellanas
La Purruja Restaurant & Bar has a laid-back ambiance and is steps from the seaside. Contemplating that proximity, it’s no shock that they’re recognized for recent seafood dishes, however in addition they provide loads of vegetarian choices. They primarily serve meals from Southern and Central America at very cheap costs, they usually serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Puerto Viejo
Cafe Rico is a superb spot for a hearty, low cost breakfast, however that’s not all they provide. They’ve rental bikes, a e-book alternate, and Wi-Fi. They’re well-known for his or her espresso, crepes, and funky ambiance.
Our favorite dish at La Vida Buena restaurant in Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica
General Finances For Backpacking in Costa Rica
If you happen to’re planning on backpacking in Costa Rica for a month or extra, finances about $50-75 per day.
It’s a protected quantity of cash that can cowl all lodging bills, meals, and a few excursions and actions. That quantity can even cowl transportation and entrance to close by Nationwide Parks.
On the subject of backpacking, Costa Rica is implausible. You are able to do it for a few weeks or a number of months. There are such a lot of other ways of experiencing a rustic as numerous and exquisite as this one.
Oksana and Max, Playa Avellanas