Costa Rica Budget Travel: An Essential Primer
Popular Costa Rica has been a favorite vacation destination for Americans, Canadians and, increasingly, Europeans, for many years. Though it is one of the smaller countries on the globe, about the size of West Virginia, its many attractions are world-famous: nearly 800 miles of uncrowded coastlines on two oceans; parks and reserves covering more than a quarter of its land area; and a staggering diversity of plants and animals.
Many visitors come to see its volcanoes. Others travel Costa Rica to enjoy outstanding fishing. Thousands enjoy the great year round surfing, rafting, ziplining high in the tropical jungles, and, of course, partying after dark. What happens in Costa Rica stays in this little country (unless you want to brag about your adventures on Facebook).
You will find a vacation for everybody's budget. For the rich, celebrated, or folks who want to vacation like they are rich and famous, there are places like the Papagayo Four Seasons and Los Suenos Resorts. But, if these are a bit pricey unless you win the lottery or if you prefer more rustic accommodations, you can get around Costa Rica quite nicely on a more limited budget.
1. Save twenty percent or more on hotels and resorts: Observe travel seasons
a. Do not travel Peak Season. The week before Christmas through New Years week (December 15-January 5) and Easter Week are Peak Season not only for tourists but for Costa Rica residents, too. Costa Rica schools are out, many governmental agencies and private businesses close, and thousands of Ticos migrate to the most popular beaches. They will find the best bargains; you will pay the highest premium prices.
b. High Season coincides with winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Many tourists travel Costa Rica between January through April because of the sunny tropical weather, a fact not lost on hotels and resorts. Like Florida, Arizona, and the Texas coast, Snowbirds get plucked a bit more during High Season. Prices are better than in Europe or America but you can do better.
c. The prudent bargain travel seeker will assiduously plan to travel to Costa Rica during the Green (Low) Season because the very best travel and accommodation bargains occur then. Improvidently, some travelers mistakenly take it for granted that it rains every day though, indeed, most days are sunny and warm. Typically rains last an hour or so and occur in the afternoon or early evening. Many college students and families from the northern countries visit between June and mid-August but prices are good and accommodations available in most places. For the inveterate bargain hunter come between September through mid-November. Savings of 20-35 percent off High Season prices are commonly found.
2. Save $25 a day when renting a car by planning ahead
If you rent a car on the internet like so many others, you should expect to learn when you get to Costa Rica that the rental agency is going to charge an additional fee of $25 or more per day for liability insurance! Rule 1: If your automobile policy at home includes liability coverage, that insurance is all you need to rent a car in Costa Rica. Recommendation: bring a copy of the policy along with the email and facsimile number of your insurance agent and save that money for your vacation. Rule 2: Many credit cards offer a little known benefit: liability insurance coverage for rentals when the card is used. Contact your credit card company before you travel for best results.
3. Save at least five percent on purchases because Cash is King
Many Costa Rica merchants welcome dollars over credit cards and when asked for a cash discount will offer 5 percent or more. You need to ask :"Que (pronounced "K") es discuento por efectivo?" which means "What is the discount for cash?" Be sure the bills are new and not defaced with even a tiny tear. And, bring $20 and $50 bills. Many restaurants, merchants, and hostels cannot break a $100 bill.
4. Save 10 percent while dining: Do not pay two tips in a restaurant
Suppose you could frequently save 10 percent when you eat in a restaurant. Most tourists do not know that a large number of restaurants in Costa Rica, particularly those popular with foreign travelers who cannot read in Spanish, automatically include a 10 percent tip (called "servicio") on a patron's bill. They have learned that many vacationers unsuspectingly then leave another gratuity. However, the knowledgeable budget travel patron looks for the word "servicio" (or another word that involves an extra ten percent charge).
Many visitors come to see its volcanoes. Others travel Costa Rica to enjoy outstanding fishing. Thousands enjoy the great year round surfing, rafting, ziplining high in the tropical jungles, and, of course, partying after dark. What happens in Costa Rica stays in this little country (unless you want to brag about your adventures on Facebook).
You will find a vacation for everybody's budget. For the rich, celebrated, or folks who want to vacation like they are rich and famous, there are places like the Papagayo Four Seasons and Los Suenos Resorts. But, if these are a bit pricey unless you win the lottery or if you prefer more rustic accommodations, you can get around Costa Rica quite nicely on a more limited budget.
1. Save twenty percent or more on hotels and resorts: Observe travel seasons
a. Do not travel Peak Season. The week before Christmas through New Years week (December 15-January 5) and Easter Week are Peak Season not only for tourists but for Costa Rica residents, too. Costa Rica schools are out, many governmental agencies and private businesses close, and thousands of Ticos migrate to the most popular beaches. They will find the best bargains; you will pay the highest premium prices.
b. High Season coincides with winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Many tourists travel Costa Rica between January through April because of the sunny tropical weather, a fact not lost on hotels and resorts. Like Florida, Arizona, and the Texas coast, Snowbirds get plucked a bit more during High Season. Prices are better than in Europe or America but you can do better.
c. The prudent bargain travel seeker will assiduously plan to travel to Costa Rica during the Green (Low) Season because the very best travel and accommodation bargains occur then. Improvidently, some travelers mistakenly take it for granted that it rains every day though, indeed, most days are sunny and warm. Typically rains last an hour or so and occur in the afternoon or early evening. Many college students and families from the northern countries visit between June and mid-August but prices are good and accommodations available in most places. For the inveterate bargain hunter come between September through mid-November. Savings of 20-35 percent off High Season prices are commonly found.
2. Save $25 a day when renting a car by planning ahead
If you rent a car on the internet like so many others, you should expect to learn when you get to Costa Rica that the rental agency is going to charge an additional fee of $25 or more per day for liability insurance! Rule 1: If your automobile policy at home includes liability coverage, that insurance is all you need to rent a car in Costa Rica. Recommendation: bring a copy of the policy along with the email and facsimile number of your insurance agent and save that money for your vacation. Rule 2: Many credit cards offer a little known benefit: liability insurance coverage for rentals when the card is used. Contact your credit card company before you travel for best results.
3. Save at least five percent on purchases because Cash is King
Many Costa Rica merchants welcome dollars over credit cards and when asked for a cash discount will offer 5 percent or more. You need to ask :"Que (pronounced "K") es discuento por efectivo?" which means "What is the discount for cash?" Be sure the bills are new and not defaced with even a tiny tear. And, bring $20 and $50 bills. Many restaurants, merchants, and hostels cannot break a $100 bill.
4. Save 10 percent while dining: Do not pay two tips in a restaurant
Suppose you could frequently save 10 percent when you eat in a restaurant. Most tourists do not know that a large number of restaurants in Costa Rica, particularly those popular with foreign travelers who cannot read in Spanish, automatically include a 10 percent tip (called "servicio") on a patron's bill. They have learned that many vacationers unsuspectingly then leave another gratuity. However, the knowledgeable budget travel patron looks for the word "servicio" (or another word that involves an extra ten percent charge).
About the Author:
Author Victor Krumm lives in Costa Rica. Go to his very popular website about Costa Rica Vacations and be sure to check out the magnificent Seven Wonders of Costa Rica
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