Costa Rica 🌴 Five Days On a Budget

A tropical beach in Costa Rica with turquoise water and a small boat anchored near the shore, framed in a metallic rose gold heart for a travel blog post titled Costa Rica on a Budget.

There’s nothing like the longing for a salt-air ocean breeze to make a workday feel twice as long.

We’ve all been there: staring at a tropical beach desktop picture while scrolling through ‘dream’ destinations, only to immediately close the tab when we see the price.

There is a common misconception that “exotic” has to mean “expensive.” I’m here to tell you that’s just not true. You don’t need a massive bank account to trade your living room for a sunset and a pair of palm trees. I’ve figured out how to find those hidden gems and lush paradise vibes without draining your savings, and I’m sharing exactly how you can do it too. Get ready to take some notes for your upcoming trip to Costa Rica!

A view from a Spirit Airlines plane window flying over turquoise ocean water and tropical islands, showing the yellow wing tip with "HOWDY" text, heading to Costa Rica.

The Flight and Arrival Hustle

The journey started with a roundtrip flight from Boston Logan Airport on Spirit Airlines for only $320 per person. While everyone has a “Spirit story” (trust me, I have a terrible one for another time!), this specific flight was actually great.

✈️ Pro-tip: I checked Booking.com to snag the tickets at a lower rate, which is always worth a look if you’re trying to shave a few extra dollars off the airfare. Also, a backpack counts as a free personal item. Roll all your clothes and throw them in a backpack to avoid checking a bag $$

Once we landed in San Jose (Costa Rica), exiting the airport was a relatively quick process…but little did my husband and I know…we were in for a bit of a dilemma.

An aerial view from a plane descending into San Jose, Costa Rica, showing the sprawling city landscape tucked between lush green mountains and white clouds.

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Packing Truths

Going to Costa Rica, its typically beautiful weather, you just need the basics:

Lightweight, quick-dry clothing to handle high humidity and possible rain showers.
A good pair of hiking shoes and water shoes.
Picardin bug spray (it has no smell and worked better than DEET!)
The obvious – bathing suit, flip flops, sunglasses & hat!

Unless you’re an overpacker like me then here is my full list:

Tropical Vacation Packing ChecKlist & Printable PDF

The “Total Disaster” Turned Win: Getting a Rental Car

Once we landed in San Jose, we headed straight to Adobe Car Rental right outside the airport. We had originally reserved a 4×4 with them because the price was right and the location was convenient, but this is where things went sideways fast. Despite having cash, a debit card, and a credit card on us, they insisted on a $1,500 security deposit on a single credit card—even though the rental itself was only $600. Our card only had an $800 limit, and they refused to take cash, a debit card, or even a family member’s card over the phone.

To make matters worse, I hadn’t purchased an e-sim before leaving the country, and for some reason, the Wi-Fi just wouldn’t connect. We were officially stranded in a foreign country with no car and no phone service.

Just when we thought we were stuck, a younger employee at Adobe pulled us aside and told us to meet him outside. He called a friend over at Alean Rent A Car who confirmed they would accept a debit card. He truly saved the day! Within 20 minutes, an Alean employee picked us up, we signed the papers, and we were finally off in our 4×4.

The Financial Breakdown of the Car Rental

While it was our biggest expense of the trip, Alean was a lifesaver for our budget setup. Here is how the math worked:

Rental Cost: $450 for 5 days (4×4 vehicle)
Security Deposit: $800
Total Upfront: $1,250 (Paid via debit card).

We got that $800 deposit back immediately upon returning the vehicle, which is a huge deal for anyone who doesn’t want $1,500 tied up on a credit card for weeks. We also made sure to get a 4×4, which is an absolute necessity for the rugged Costa Rican terrain. Best of all? While at their office, we finally caught a Wi-Fi signal long enough to purchase a Maya e-sim, which was a total game-changer for navigation.

📝The Lesson: If you don’t have a high-limit credit card, skip the big names and go straight to Alean. And for the love of all things travel—get your e-sim before you leave the house!

A man in a black t-shirt and grey shorts driving a Hyundai rental car along a lush, tree-lined road on a rainy day.

A view from the dashboard of a car driving down a two-lane paved highway lined with tall coconut palms and lush tropical trees under an overcast sky.

Our Countryside Escape in Costa Rica

For our home base, we chose an incredible Airbnb in Monte de Oro that cost us about $500 for the entire five days. It was a scenic two-hour drive from the airport into the beautiful countryside.

🌎 Location: Monte de Oro is part of Puntarenas province, bordering San Ramón, with Miramar serving as the main hub. The area ranges from dry forests to mountainous cloud forests with a pleasant, cool climate at higher elevations.

Our host, Maru, was wonderful, and the location was pure magic. The cabin itself is modern with massive glass doors that open up to blend the indoors with the outside, giving you a front-row seat to the most spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Nicoya. It’s located on a massive 60-hectare estate, so it’s incredibly quiet—just you, the mountains, and the toucans hanging out in the trees.

A luxury infinity pool at a modern Airbnb in Monte de Oro, Costa Rica, reflecting a glowing orange sunset over the lush green mountains and valley.

Maru mentions this in the listing, and I’m telling you from experience—the entrance to the property is steep, so that 4×4 vehicle we talked about isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a requirement to get up to the cabin!

Last, but certainly not least, if you are someone who can’t handle a few uninvited guests, a mountain cabin in Costa Rica might be a shock to your system. It is very common here for locals to “air out” their homes, and many places—including our gorgeous Airbnb—don’t have screens on the windows. When we first arrived, the windows were wide open, and we were greeted by various insects and even a small lizard or two hanging out on the walls.

Once we closed the windows and did a quick vacuum, it was totally fine, but those first few minutes were a bit of a surprise!

A view from a bedroom with floor-to-ceiling glass doors overlooking a dramatic sunset with orange and gold clouds over a distant mountain range. A TV is mounted above the window showing a sports match, and white curtains frame the glass.

A luxury stone patio featuring an infinity edge pool that looks out over a vast, rolling green valley under a soft, blue-hour sky.

A lit, grey-stone tiled rectangle infinity pool looks out into pitch-black darkness, with a long line of distant city lights sparkling on the horizon. The image is taken from just inside a dark room.

💡Holly’s Pro Tip: Let’s be real—Costa Rica is pure magic, but it’s also full of unpredictability. Whether it’s your luggage going MIA, a run-in with a creepy crawler, or navigating those “white-knuckle” mountain roads in the fog, things happen. We didn’t want to risk it, so we made sure to grab travel insurance for both medical and trip protection before we left.

Get your travel insurance quote here

Day 1: Settling In

After checking in to our Airbnb, our first stop was the local Pali grocery store. This is the ultimate “budget hack”—stock up on essentials like water, SPF, and bug spray, but also grab fresh ingredients to grill at your home base. We spent our first day floating in the pool and firing up the grill, simply soaking in the sounds of the jungle as the sun went down. Pure bliss, relaxation, and easy on the wallet.

A man in a grey tank top and tropical print shorts pushing a metal shopping cart filled with groceries, including water and local snacks, through a paved parking lot at a Pali grocery store.

A top-down view of a metal shopping cart filled with Imperial Light beer, paper towels, limes, a fresh coconut, and various snacks.

The Financial Breakdown of Day 1

Setting up your home base doesn’t have to break the bank, but those initial costs definitely add up. Here is what we spent to get settled:

Grocery Haul: ~$80.00 (Breakfast, dinner, snacks, booze)
Maya e-Sim: $30 (5GB data package)
Gas for the 2-Hour Drive: $0 (our rental came with a full tank!)

Total: Roughly $110.00.

Day 2: The Must-Do Island Excursion

You can’t visit the coast without getting out on the water. We started our first full morning with coffee and breakfast at our Airbnb before making the drive to Puntarenas. From there, we boarded a speed boat for a full-day trip to Tortuga Island, which is easily one of the most beautiful spots in Costa Rica. If you only do one excursion on your trip, make it this one!

We booked our tickets through GetYourGuide for just $80 per person, which was the cheapest rate we found. The boat ride itself was a highlight—the crew was incredibly nice, and we even saw dolphins playing in the water on our way across the Gulf of Nicoya. While the tour includes a snorkeling stop, we decided to skip that and instead enjoyed a full five hours of pure beach bliss on the island.

A view from the turquoise water looking toward the white sand shores of Tortuga Island, Costa Rica, lined with tall palm trees and blue beach umbrellas under a sunny sky.

The island has such a fun, relaxed vibe. I even got my hair braided right on the sand for $20! One of my favorite parts was the beach bar where they serve beautiful tropical drinks in fresh coconuts. They also provided us with a fresh lunch grilled to perfection—you usually have your choice of chicken or fish (with a vegetarian option available, too). Between the speedboat ride, the incredible food, and the crystal-clear water, it was the definition of “living your best life.”

A man relaxing in a blue beach lounge chair under a blue umbrella at Isla Tortuga, holding a fresh green coconut with a straw. The background shows white sand, palm trees, and beach tents.

A wide-angle view from under a canopy of towering palm trees looking out toward a sandy white beach and bright blue sky on Tortuga Island, Costa Rica.

A woman in a floral bikini smiling and holding her phone while standing on the sandy beach of Tortuga Island. The background shows a rustic environment with tropical palm trees and stacks of firewood under bright sunlight.

🚻 Pro-Tip: The island does have bathrooms, but they are $1 to use—so make sure you have some small change on you! There’s also a small souvenir shop if you want to pick up a local memento.

The Financial Breakdown of Day 2

This day was an absolute steal for a full-day adventure. Here is how our beach day budget broke down:

Boat Ticket: $80 per person (Includes round-trip speedboat, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks)
Beach Chair Rental: $5 per person
Beach Drinks & Coconuts: $60 total for the day
Hair Braiding: $20
Bathroom Access: $1 per use

Total: Roughly $125–$130 per person once you add in the extras!

Day 3: Hanging Bridges, Birria Tacos and Hot Springs

We started another super early morning with coffee and breakfast at the Airbnb (the ultimate money-saver!) before hitting the road for a 3-hour drive to Mistico Hanging Bridges Park ($28 pp). The drive is incredibly scenic, but a word of warning: the roads are narrow and very mountainous—stay alert!

A silver car driving on a narrow bridge in Costa Rica, surrounded by thick white fog and lush green mountain forests under a heavy overcast sky.

Once we arrived, we grabbed a smoothie and soaked in the view of the Arenal Volcano. Even though the clouds were playing hide-and-seek with the peak, it was still a breathtaking sight. We spent over an hour hiking through the rainforest canopy across several hanging bridges. It is such a unique perspective being eye-to-eye with the trees! Just be prepared for “selfie-traffic”—people love to stop on the bridges for photos. I get the obsession with capturing the moment, but it can get a little crowded!

A traveler in a light blue shirt walking across a long metal suspension bridge high above the dense, lush green rainforest canopy at Mistico Arenal Park.

A hand with bright pink nail polish holds a vibrant magenta pitaya smoothie in a clear cup. The background features the clouded peak of the Arenal Volcano rising above the lush green landscape of Mistico Hanging Bridges Park.

View of dense, lush green rainforest canopy at Mistico Arenal Park.

After our hike, we headed to El Chante Verde for lunch, which was both delicious and reasonably priced. You have to try the Birria Tacos—they are a staple there and legitimately the best I’ve ever had.

A top-down view of a colorful meal at El Chante Verde in Costa Rica. In the foreground, a plate holds steak sautéed with peppers, white rice, black beans, corn on the cob, and a fresh garden salad. In the background, a wooden board serves three tacos with small dipping bowls of salsa, onions, and cilantro. The setting is bright and tropical with warm wood tones and a glass water carafe.

Yummy!!!! 😋

Next, we drove 15 minutes to Baldi Hot Springs for one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. We opted for the Day Pass ($61 pp), which doesn’t require a prior reservation. This place is massive, featuring 25 thermal water pools ranging from 89°F to a steaming 152°F.

A decorative stone entrance for Baldi Hot Springs in Costa Rica, featuring a waterfall and large, realistic statues of sloths hanging from artificial tree branches against a backdrop of lush tropical plants.

The resort is a tropical dream with lush greenery at every turn, swim-up bars, and even high-speed water slides if you’re feeling adventurous. They provide towels and lockers, making it a very stress-free experience. Whether you want a quiet, relaxing soak or a lively pool with music, they have a spot for you.

A woman in a blue patterned swimsuit wading through a crystal-clear thermal pool at Baldi Hot Springs in Costa Rica. The pool features a stone-tiled floor, a natural rock waterfall grotto, and is surrounded by vibrant tropical flowers and towering palm trees.

Of course, I have to share a few more photos of my husband because he’s such a handsome model! ✨

A man in a black cap and yellow swim trunks relaxing in a thermal pool at Baldi Hot Springs, leaning back as a natural rock waterfall flows into the water behind him.

A man in a black baseball cap relaxing in the warm mineral waters of Baldi Hot Springs, looking up at the tropical rain falling against a lush jungle backdrop.

At this point, it was getting dark out so we figured we’d wrap up the day and head back to the Airbnb.

⚠️ A Major Warning: The 3-hour drive back was a nightmare. Between the pitch-black mountain roads and fog so thick, you can barely see the road. We only survived by tailing a bus! If you can swing it, stay the night in La Fortuna—your nerves will thank you.

After clenching the “oh $h*t handle” and saying my prayers for three hours, we finally made it back safe and sound, ending the night with homemade street tacos and movies.

Two grey plates filled with authentic street tacos on yellow corn tortillas, topped with grilled meat, fresh onions, and cilantro. The plates are set on a woven placemat next to a jar of salsa and grocery supplies in a cozy Costa Rica Airbnb kitchen.

…..But not before we found one more “local guest” at our place—a scorpion in the bathroom!

Don’t worry… my husband safely escorted him outside to live his best life, and we finally went to sleep peacefully 💤

The Day 3 Financial Breakdown

Mistico Park Entry: $28 per person
Lunch at El Chante: Roughly $20–$25 per person
Baldi Hot Springs Day Pass: $61 per person
Dinner: $0 (Used our grocery haul for street tacos)
Finding a scorpion in the bathroom: Priceless 😅

Total: Roughly $114 per person.

Day 4: Crocodiles, Lush Coastlines & Monkeys

We started our last full day with our ritual: breakfast and coffee at the Airbnb. Even though we just grabbed a random brand of coffee from the grocery store, it was honestly the best we’ve ever had. I guess you just can’t beat Costa Rican beans! Our breakfast also slapped every single morning—simple, but perfect, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches!

A dense grove of towering palm trees with vibrant green fronds under a bright blue sky in the Costa Rican countryside.

Our first stop was a one-hour drive to the famous Tarcoles River Bridge (The Crocodile Bridge). This is a free, roadside must-see! You can walk across a secure sidewalk and look down to see dozens of massive American crocodiles—some looked to be nearly 20 feet long. It’s a wild sight to see so many of them just sunning themselves in one spot.

A high-angle view looking down from a bridge at several large American crocodiles sunbathing on the muddy banks of the brown Tárcoles River.

A top-down view of a massive crocodile swimming just beneath the surface of murky river water near a sandy bank in Costa Rica.

From there, it was another hour and a half drive to Manuel Antonio, one of the most famous beaches in the world.

⚠️ Traveler Warning: When you get close to the park, people will jump into the road claiming they work for the National Park and try to force you into “their” parking spots. Do not stop or listen to them. Just tell them you already bought a pass online and keep driving as close to the entrance as possible to find the official, secure lots ($6–$12). Tickets can be purchased in advance online via Manuel Antonio National Park.

A wide-angle view of the serene, tan-sand coastline of Playa Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica. Gentle ocean waves wash ashore on the left, while lush, dense rainforest mountains border the beach on the right under a soft, cloudy sky. A few people are seen walking along the shore in the distance.

Once we safely parked, we walked the strip, grabbed a couple of martinis, and did some souvenir shopping. Then, we headed into the park for a hike. The wildlife did not disappoint! We saw a baby sloth sleeping in a tree and heard monkeys crashing through the canopy above us. At the end of the hike, we were rewarded with a stunning white-sand beach. There are bathrooms, a gift shop, and some quick, cheap bites (empanadas and burgers) right there.

A white-faced capuchin monkey perched on a thick tree branch within the dense green rainforest canopy of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

A couple posing on a wooden observation deck surrounded by the dense, lush green jungle canopy of Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica.

A close-up view of a three-toed sloth partially hidden and climbing through thick, vibrant green tropical leaves and vines in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

After a long day of exploring, we stopped for ice cream and took in the beautiful sunset on the drive home. The night ended with more snuggles and a movie

A hand with pink nail polish holding a large scoop of light blue ice cream in a wafer cone, with tropical palm trees and a paved parking lot in the background.

A vibrant orange sunset glowing behind a dark, tree-covered cliff on the Costa Rican coast, with a quiet roadside and utility poles in the foreground.

The Financial Breakdown of Day 4

This was a day filled with wildlife and incredible views, all without a massive price tag. Here is the cost for two people:

Tarcoles River (Crocodile) Bridge: Free
Manuel Antonio National Park Entry: ~$32.00 ($16 pp)
Official Parking Lot: ~$10.00
Souvenirs: $20.00
Drinks at the Manuel Antonio Bar: $12.00
Post-Hike Snacks: $8.00
Ice Cream: $4.00
Dinner: $0.00 (Finished off our grocery haul)

Total: Roughly $86.00 for the day!

Day 5: The Departure

Our final morning was all about the “Costa Rica Cleanse.” Before packing, we made sure to shake out every single piece of clothing. Between the bugs, teeny lizards, and our scorpion friend, the last thing you want is to bring a hitchhiker home in your suitcase!

A view through a car windshield of a two-lane road in Costa Rica leading toward a massive, blue-toned mountain range under a bright sky. Lush green trees line the road, and a motorcyclist is seen riding ahead.

We drove back to the rental car return (located at a mall near the airport), and they shuttled us to the terminal. We always make it a point to get to the airport at least 2 hours early. It’s our golden rule for every trip—it gives us plenty of time to breeze through security, grab one last drink, and find our gate without any stress.

A selfie of a smiling woman and man sitting at a red airport restaurant table, enjoying Bloody Mary cocktails garnished with celery and lime before their flight.

Cheers to another successful trip! And on a budget 😉

🇨🇷 The Final Trip Financial Breakdown (Per Couple)

Here is the rough total for our 5-day Costa Rican adventure:

Flights: $640 (2 people; BOS)
Rental Car: $450
Airbnb (5 nights): $500
Groceries (Breakfast/Dinner/Snacks): ~$80
Gas & Tolls: ~$100
Day 2: Tortuga Island Excursion: $250 (2 people)
Day 3: Mistico Bridges & Baldi Hot Springs: $228 (2 people)
Day 4: Manuel Antonio Entry & Parking: ~$45 (2 people)
Dining Out (Lunches/Drinks/Ice Cream): ~$200 (2 people)

Grand Total: ~$2,493 ($1,246.50 pp)

Have a question about your next trip? Holly Would Know!

Shoot me a message or check out more travel guides on the main page.

Holly xo

Responses

Theresa G.

April 21, 2026

Hi Holly,

Thank you for the detailed itinerary! It looks like you had a great time and I look forward to a trip of my own very soon.

Take care!

Theresa

Holly Pratt

April 21, 2026

Hey Theresa!

I’m glad you enjoyed reading ☺️ I hope to hear all about your Costa Rica trip someday — and if you ever need help planning, please feel free to reach out!