Question by Vinyl V: Can I manage backpacking through Costa Rica on 0 USD for 10 days?
Speaking from experience, do you think I'll be able to backpack the country on just $ 400? I plan on staying in hostels, eating local Tico dishes (gallo pinto, tamales, etc.), and public transportation where possible. Also, I'm planning to travel to Jaco, Montezuma, and Manuel Antonio.
Best answer:
Answer by Kristina L
Hostels will run you about $ 12.00 a night. Sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more - depending on the location and season.
Public bus is dirt cheap, and you should be able to get to each of your locations for probably under $ 10.00 each.
If you don't drink too much beer, and eat off the tourist trail, you can probably eat for less than $ 15.00 a day. If you do fast food (or the Tico version of it) you can probably eat for less than $ 10.00 a day.
The problem comes when you start adding activities. What is the point in going to Arenal if you aren't going to hike the National Park or check out the Hot Springs? Going to Costa Rica without Zip Lining is unthinkable to me (more fun than you can imagine). Each of the National Parks has an entrance fee (I think I paid $ 10.00 a day at the last one I was at). Different tours will cost you between $ 50.00 and $ 100.00 per day (although, if you are a student, some places offer a student rate). Tours aren't mandatory, but when you start looking at what is offered you'll want to do a couple. They are so much fun.
My advice to you is to check out each the areas you want to visit and figure out any activities you may want to do. Figure in at least $ 100 for each area for at least one activity. If you are looking to just hang out and check out Costa Rica, I estimate your minimum at $ 270, so you should have enough, but make sure you aren't cutting yourself short and missing something grand, by traveling on such a tight budget.
Edit: Also, remember cab fare too. From the bus to the hostel and from the hostel to the beach or park or whatever it is you want to see.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
You can, but you will be pretty miserable a lot of the time. Getting into the national parks is expensive. Eating on the cheap will come to a minimum of 8 bucks a day unless you are dieting, and avoid bottled water and drinks. The 3 beaches you mentioned do have some low priced boarding houses but they can be nasty. Except for the nasty places they are expensive. You can get by a lot cheaper going farther south, Dominical and farther south still. You can go a lot cheaper in any other Central American country Costa Rica is expensive and a general guideline for any visitor is a minimum of 100 U$ per person per day, and this is on the economy plan.
You probably should really trim expenses and every third day splurge on a decent room, a real shower and some fun.
You may consider putting the trip off until you get some more money. Not much point in coming to Costa Rica, being virtuous and not enjoying your time.
SOmeone recommends guided tours- so much fun. They are expensive and I think they really suck- I can not stand the self important fat headed smug know-it-alls, that usually know nothing, not even what they have been trained to repeat. This is an easy way to save money and maintain calm, avoid the guided tours.
You already have to good answers, and they both agree that for $ 400 it is possible, but will not be a worthwhile trip – I concur with this opinion.
It does seem that there is a conflict of opinion regarding tours in Costa Rica and I’d like to add my opinion on that.
I have taken a number of tours from around the world, including in Costa Rica. When I have taken a tour for information, I have found the information to be solid. When I take a hiking tour, I find the experience of the tour guide to be worthwhile. They can often find things in hidden places that I wouldn’t have looked. Guided hikes also allow you to learn of the safety precautions needed before hiking on your own. Ever geographic area is different and its good to learn what specific needs are required for each area. And finally, on the ‘activitiy’ tours, such as white water rafting, atvs, fishing, etc: I find the small amount of money I pay for the tour is cheaper than trying to do it myself, and it more fun and safer to do it with a group. The tour groups provide transportation from your lodging, any safety equipment needed, proper instruction for those that are inexperienced, and a safe location to perform the activity. White water rafting alone is far less fun, and the tour groups know where the river isn’t crocodile infested.
Not every tour I’ve taken in Costa Rica was a winner, but more often than not, I’m quite happy with them.
400 dollars are 200 000 Colones, that will last you like one month maybe. It would be like little rooms for 10 dollars a night, Man let me tell you that really would last you like for 3 weeks including food transportation and nights out. basically you’ll be spending like 15-20 bucks a day living in those conditions you say. believe me, I’m from Costa Rica and I know how it works. So, with 400 bucks you’ll be fine. You might get better rooms or travel some more. Have fun, and think ahead of people, act normally over there or someone might try to take advantage of you, like in any other place.
Costa Rica is a cheap place for a bacpacker.
Check http://www.hostelio.com/costa-rica/ and click on the cities you are planning to travel. It will show you the cheapest hostels…
The average price for a hostel is 12-13$ you for $ 120 max. you can stay in hostels for 10 days… That leaves you a lot money to spend on transportation and food…