The PERFECT 10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary for Budget Travelers
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Wanna plan a perfect 10 day Costa Rica itinerary without breaking the bank? Keep reading for a budget-friendly Costa Rica itinerary!
Costa Rica is one of the most popular travel destinations in Central America, and with good reason. It is incredibly safe, the people are friendly, and the landscape is absolutely breathtaking.
As Costa Rica has grown in popularity, it has also become more expensive, especially compared to its neighboring countries in Central America. Luckily, traveling in Costa Rica doesn’t have to break the bank!
I’ve taken all of my research and personal travel experience and carefully composed a 10 day Costa Rica itinerary that’s perfect for budget travelers. If you follow this itinerary, you’ll have an epic 10 days exploring beautiful Costa Rica – all while keeping things budget-friendly.
This post was written by Haley from Gathering Waves.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
How much does it cost to spend 10 days in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is one of the more expensive travel destinations in Central America due to its growing popularity. However, it is still possible to visit Costa Rica on a budget!
The main costs when traveling to Costa Rica are activities, transportation, accommodation, and food. On a budget, you can visit Costa Rica and spend about $40-$50 per day while still enjoying yourself.
Costa Rica Budget: Currency
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón. US dollars are also frequently accepted, especially in tourist areas. However, it’s best to convert your money into colones or withdraw colones from an ATM once you’re in Costa Rica to avoid being overcharged when using US dollars.
1 US Dollar is equal to about 630 Costa Rican colones.
To make it easier to plan your budget for your 10 day Costa Rica trip, all prices listed in this guide will be in US dollars.
Costa Rica Budget: Transportation
Your flight to and from Costa Rica will likely make up one of the biggest chunks of your travel budget. Luckily, there are ways to score cheap flights to Costa Rica!
I recommend using Google Flights to find the most affordable flight for your travel dates. Google Flights is my favorite search tool because you can pick multiple departure and arrival airports – this is perfect if you live close to multiple airports and are flexible on where you can leave from.
You can also use the price calendar to see which days have the cheapest fares or set alerts to notify you when prices go down.
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, I highly recommend signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights, an email newsletter that sends out incredible flight deals to destinations around the world from all across the US.
There’s a free version of Scott’s Cheap Flights as well as a premium membership that sends out more deals (including mistake fares). You can choose your departure airports so that you only get deals departing from those airports.
Costa Rica deals come around pretty frequently – over the past 2 months, I’ve gotten more than 10 emails about cheap flights from Costa Rica from airports all over the US. Round-trip fares were generally in the $200s-$300s range, with a normal price of more than $650 round-trip!
Scott’s Cheap Flights is a great way to save hundreds on your airfare to Costa Rica. Sign up for a free trial of their premium membership to start receiving deals!
Once you’re in Costa Rica, transportation costs are pretty cheap. Like most other places around the world, public transportation is the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica. Expect to budget the following for transportation:
- Average cost of a 1-hour public bus ride: $1
- Average cost for a tuk tuk ride (perfect for getting around beach towns): $5 for a 15-minute ride
- Average cost for a shared shuttle (best for traveling long distances across the country): $45
Costa Rica Budget: Activities
Activities in Costa Rica are likely going to be your biggest expense once you’re in the country. Things like zip-lining, snorkeling, and sunset sailing tours can be pricey.
Despite this, you really don’t have to spend a ton of money to have an amazing time! There are many free and low-cost activities to do in Costa Rica that don’t have to break the bank.
If you’re planning on doing more big-ticket activities like zip-lining or snorkeling, make sure to plan ahead to factor the costs into your travel budget. Some tours may offer discounts for booking ahead, and you can also compare different tours to see which will get the most bang for your buck.
Are you a college student? Make sure to pack your Student ID (and consider getting an ISIC card)! Many museums, tours, and attractions, including some in Costa Rica, offer discounted admission to students with valid IDs.
Accommodation in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a backpacker’s paradise, and there are plenty of amazing hostels around the country that are perfect for budget travelers. You can also find affordable home rentals and even cheap hotel rooms.
Expect to budget the following for your accommodation in Costa Rica:
- Hostel bed in a shared dorm: $10-$20 per night
- Hostel bed in a private room: $20-$40 per night
- Private room in an Airbnb: $25-$50 per night
- Mid-range hotel room: $50-$75 per night
Food in Costa Rica
While many complain about the food in Costa Rica, I personally thought it was fabulous. The local food is healthy, affordable, and consistent. The “Western options” are well… expensive, typically unhealthy, and a hit or miss.
If you’re traveling on a budget or just want to try authentic food in Costa Rica, I highly recommend eating at local joints, called Sodas. These locally-owned restaurants can be found all over the country. Meals at sodas will be cheaper than tourist-focused restaurants, and they’ll be much more delicious!
Typical Costa Rican food consists of rice, beans, plantains, and some type of protein. While this sounds plain, everything is perfectly seasoned and delicious! For breakfast, this dish is called Gallo Pinto, and for lunch/dinner, it is called Casado.
Gallo Pinto typically costs around $3, with casados usually costing $3 to $5. A smoothie, or bebida natural, is usually around $1 or $2. A local beer costs around $3, while an imported beer is closer to $4.
If you really want to save money, you can also grocery shop and cook in your hostel kitchen. Groceries are fairly inexpensive in Costa Rica, as long as you don’t buy imported foods. If eating out, stick to local Sodas – your wallet will thank you!
The Perfect 10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary for Budget Travelers
Ready to explore beautiful Costa Rica for 10 days? Here’s an overview of the itinerary:
- Days 1-4: Tamarindo or Nosara
- Days 4-7: Monteverde
- Days 7-10: Puerto Viejo
This itinerary will help you get the most out of your Costa Rica trip. It ensures that you don’t miss out on many of Costa Rica’s highlights while also providing plenty of flexibility. Plus, the entire itinerary was designed with budget travelers in mind!
Arriving in Costa Rica
You’ll be flying into one of two international airports in Costa Rica: either Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, or Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia.
If you’re arriving in the country after midnight, it is a good idea to grab a hostel for the night so that you can rest up after your travel day. Costa Rica Backpackers Hostel is one of the best hostels in San Jose, and one of the best in all of Central America! If you’re arriving in Liberia, consider staying at Hospedaje Dodero.
If you are arriving in the early morning, you’ll have plenty of time to travel to your next destination: the beach!
10 Days in Costa Rica – Days 1-4: Tamarindo or Nosara
I left this first stop open-ended, depending on what you’re looking to do on your Costa Rica trip.
If you want to explore a beautiful beach, surf, and also party, you should go to Tamarindo for your first stop.
Things to Do in Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a lively beach town in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. There is always something happening in Tamarindo, and it is a great first stop on any Costa Rica travel itinerary! Some of the best things to do in Tamarindo include:
- Surfing – Tamarindo is a very popular surfing beach, and is great for beginners as they have many surf schools! You can book surfing lessons in advance or join a class once you arrive in Tamarindo.
- Hanging out at the beach – Tamarindo Beach is one of the best in Costa Rica
- Partying – Tamarindo is a pretty rambunctious town with great nightlife
- Listen to live music – the beachfront bars in Tamarindo play live music almost every night. Pangas Beach Club and the Crazy Monkey Bar usually are the most popular.
Where to Stay in Tamarindo
One of the best things about Tamarindo is how many budget-friendly options there are for accommodation! Some of the best accommodation options in Tamarindo are:
- Pura Vida MINI Hostel – Perfectly located near the beach and the center of town. Dorms and private rooms are available.
- Selina Tamarindo – If you want to learn how to surf in Tamarindo, this is the hostel for you. Selina Tamarindo has a surf school great for beginner surfers and seasoned pros.
- Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel – If you have a bit of wiggle room in your budget and prefer a hotel over a hostel, this eco-friendly boutique hotel is a great choice. This hotel is one of the best in Tamarindo and you can find rooms for as low as $100 per night. Plus, they have free breakfast!
You can find more places to stay in Tamarindo (including hostels, hotels, and guest houses) on Booking.com. You can also search for Tamarindo vacation rentals, including beach villas, on VRBO.
Where to Eat in Tamarindo
Tamarindo is pretty touristy, so restaurants in town are pretty pricey. The cheapest (and most delicious!) restaurants in Tamarindo are:
- El Mercadito del Tamarindo Food Court: there are around 6 different food stands in here with delicious options for everyone!
- Soda El Guanacaste – One of the best places in Tamarindo for delicious, cheap local food.
If you want to explore a beautiful beach, surf, and relax, do yoga, and meditate instead of partying, you should go to Nosara.
Things to Do in Nosara
Nosara is a much more peaceful town than Tamarindo. If you’re looking for more yoga and relaxation than partying, then you should go to Nosara instead of Tamarindo.
Some of the best things to do in Nosara include:
- Surfing – Nosara has the most consistent surf in all of Costa Rica at Playa Guiones.
- Yoga – Nosara is one of the best places in Costa Rica to practice yoga and there are several yoga studios in town.
- Breathwork and Meditation – Breathwork and Meditation is huge in Nosara, and there are usually people teaching free classes on the beach at sunset every night!
Where to Stay in Nosara
Nosara definitely has a more expensive reputation than other places in Costa Rica, but there are a few places to stay for under $20 a night!
- Nosara Beach Hostel – This hostel is easily one of the best places to stay in Nosara. It’s located right on the beach and has a chill, quiet vibe.
- Burnt Toast Surfcamp – Burnt Toast has dorms and private rooms as well as packages with surf and yoga lessons.
- 4 You Hostal – This hostel is just 10 minutes from the beach and a short walk from many restaurants and bars.
You can find more places to stay in Nosara (including hotels if you prefer that over a hostel) on Booking.com.
Where to Eat in Nosara
Nosara has a decent selection of delicious, budget restaurants! Some of the best include:
- Pura Pizza – Pizza slices are about $3 a slice, and they’re big enough to fill you up! They also have live music right across the street on Thursday nights.
- Rosi’s Soda – One of the best places in Nosara for authentic Costa Rican food.
- Robin’s Cafe & Ice Cream – Organic food with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Plus, amazing house-made ice cream!
Days 4-7: Monteverde
Monteverde is home to the Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, one of Costa Rica’s best national parks. It is a beautiful area and a great second stop on a Costa Rica budget itinerary!
Monteverde can be a very pricey destination in Costa Rica, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of tours and walks that cost under $20 and also plenty of free activities!
Free Things to Do in Monteverde
- Cerro Amigos Hike – This hike gives you one of the best views of Monteverde. It starts at the Hotel Belmar and goes up to the radio tower. In total, the hike is about 3 miles round trip.
- Visit Ficus la Raiz – Ficus la Raiz, or the Ficus Root Bridge, is a giant ficus tree that goes over a river and is one of the free hidden gems of Monteverde. Climbing the root bridge is one of the best things to do in Monteverde. It is right behind the Megasuper supermarket down a dirt path. Here is a map of the rough location of the trail.
Other Things to Do in Monteverde
- Take a tour of the cloud forest in either the Monteverde Preserve or the Santa Elena Nature Preserve. If you have a bit of wiggle room in your budget, you can even zip line through the preserve or see the gorgeous cloud forest from the Monteverde Hanging Bridges!
- Take a coffee and chocolate making tour – I recommend the Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate tour. You get to sample tons of chocolate and coffee, and also learn more about the production process and how these goods affect Costa Rica’s economy.
- Go on a night nature walk – this is a great way to see the nocturnal wildlife that live in the rainforest.
Where to Stay in Monteverde
Monteverde is home to lots of affordable places to stay, including several hostels that are centrally located and less than $15 a night.
- Selina Monteverde – Selina Monteverde is one of the nicest hostels in town, with modern dorms and private rooms, yoga classes, outdoor jacuzzis, and beautiful views.
- Monteverde Backpackers – This cozy hostel is perfectly located and has free breakfast and free sunset tours.
- Sloth Backpackers Hostel – This hostel is quiet, clean, and just 3 minutes from the bus station.
Monteverde is also a hot spot for eco-lodges and glamping. You can see all places to stay in Monteverde on Booking.com or search for unique vacation rentals on VRBO.
Where to Eat in Monteverde
As one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations, Monteverde has some pretty expensive touristy restaurants. Luckily, they also have plenty of Sodas serving authentic Costa Rican food.
Some of the best sodas in Monteverde include:Soda La Amistad, Sabor Tico, and Soda Bonanza.
Days 7-10 in Costa Rica: Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is located on the far south Caribbean side of Costa Rica.
It is a booming backpacker’s destination due to its cheap accommodations, beautiful Caribbean coastline, and vibrant nightlife.
You can pretty easily travel to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde, your last stop. This is a perfect spot to end your 10 days in Costa Rica.
Things to Do in Puerto Viejo
One of the best things about Puerto Viejo is that there are so many things to do on a budget! Some of the best things to do in Puerto Viejo include:
Bike to Manzanillo
This is a scenic, 8-mile bike ride that takes you to the beautiful nearby town of Manzanillo.
There are many beautiful beaches along the way, as well as many fun restaurants.
Once in Manzanillo, you can visit the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge which is completely free!
Renting a bike costs about $10, and you can rent them from Puerto Viejo Bike Rentals. Be sure to rent a bike early in the day as they sell out quickly, especially in the high season!
Visit the black sand beach, Playa Negra
On the Northern side of Puerto Viejo is a black sand beach! The sand is from volcanic rock and is very cool to check out. There is an old ship docked that looks like a shipwreck!
Surfing at Punta Cocles
Punta Cocles is about 1 mile south of downtown Puerto Viejo and the area’s main surfing beach. There are plenty of schools teaching lessons here for less experienced surfers and it has some pretty good waves.
Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo has lots of hostels that are less than $20 a night for a bed in a shared dorm.
- Oasis Hostel – This one is my personal favorite, as it is oceanfront and the kitchen and living room in the hostel are in the sand! They also have cheap bike rentals if you plan on biking to Manazanillo.
- Pagalu Hostel – This hostel is simple, but it’s clean, perfectly located, and affordable. The beds are comfy and the staff are super friendly.
- Tasty Dayz Hostel – Another nice hostel in Puerto Viejo with nice common areas, fun nightly activities, and an on-site restaurant/bar.
You can find more Puerto Viejo hostels and hotels on Booking.com, or search VRBO for beachfront vacation rentals.
Where to Eat in Puerto Viejo
- La Esquina Boruca Pizzeria – While it doesn’t serve typical Costa Rican food, this restaurant serves the cheapest food in town – delicious pizza! A slice costs less than $3 and they are open until 2am.
- Soda Riquisimo – This is the best place in Puerto Viejo for cheap and delicious casados.
- Maxi’s in Manzanillo – If you decide to bike to Manazanillo, you can’t leave without grabbing lunch at Maxi’s! This restaurant serves typical Caribbean food. It’s fairly priced and totally delicious.
Costa Rica 10 Day Itinerary: Final Thoughts
Costa Rica is a beautiful, safe country and a booming backpackers destination. While it does have a very expensive reputation (compared to other Central American countries), it is still absolutely possible to visit Costa Rica on a budget and have an amazing time.
Following this itinerary will give you the perfect introduction to this beautiful country. You’ll be able to relax on some of Costa Rica’s best beaches, give surfing a try, and see some incredible scenery – all without breaking the bank!
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your Costa Rican adventure!
About the Author: This post was written by surf blogger Haley, who writes detailed articles about different surf spots around the world. To read more of her posts, check out her blog Gathering Waves or follow along on Instagram and Pinterest.
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