Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [5]
Midrange budgeters can travel comfortably for anywhere from US$50 to US$100 per day. Hotels in this category offer very good value, and double rooms come with comfortable beds, private bathroom, hot water (most of the time) and even breakfast, for US$20 to US$80 per night. Many hotels in this price range also have shared or private kitchenettes, which gives travelers the opportunity to cook – this is a great option for families. A variety of restaurants cater to midrange travelers, offering meals that cost from US$5 to US$10.
HOW MUCH?
Car rental for one week US$200-500
Zip-line adventure through the canopy US$35-60
National park admission fees US$5-15
Taxi from the international airport into central San José US$12
Secondhand longboard from a surf shop US$100-250
Top-end visitors can find a good selection of restaurants and hotels in the touristy towns and within some of the major resorts. Luxurious beachside lodges and boutique hotels can cost upwards of US$80, and offer truly world-class meals that begin at around US$15.
Lodging prices are generally higher in the dry season (December to April), and highest during holiday periods (between Christmas and New Year and during Semana Santa). During slower seasons, most hotels are eager for your business, so you can try to negotiate a lower rate. Some of the more popular tourist areas (Monteverde, Jacó, Manuel Antonio and many of the beaches on the Península de Nicoya) are also more expensive than the rest of the country.
Return to beginning of chapter
TRAVELING RESPONSIBLY
As one of the world’s most iconic ecotourism destinations, Costa Rica spoils travelers with a never-ending assortment of environmentally friendly activities. Animal lovers can help baby sea turtles scamper out to sea, while tree huggers can help plant new life in the forest floor. Green thumbs can try their hand at organic agriculture, while nature lovers can explore some of the planet’s most pristine landscapes. Indeed, few tourist spots so easily combine wildlife-watching, adventure travel, volunteering and environmental conservation in one earth-friendly package.
However, the greatest challenge to travelers in Costa Rica is preserving the purity of this destination for future generations. The secret is out, the tourism industry is booming, and travelers are leaving behind a larger footprint on the country than ever before. As a result, travelers are increasingly looking at ways to minimize the impact of their stay in Costa Rica and to travel in the most sustainable way possible. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to think green while in Costa Rica.
TOP FIVE ECOLODGES
It’s easy to lie down for the night in a hotel when you know that your stay isn’t negatively impacting the environment. Although there is certainly no shortage of ecolodges in Costa Rica, the following lists some of our favorites:
Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (Click here) A private reserve that is managed by ‘Rainforest for the Austrians,’ a group that helped establish Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas.
Punta Mona (Click here) This remote retreat on the edge of the Caribbean is a working experiment in organic permaculture farming.
Hotel Sí Como No (Click here) This ecotourism pioneer is testament to the fact that luxury and sustainability are not incompatible.
Celeste Mountain Lodge (Click here) An innovative lodge constructed out of recycled wood, plastic, truck tires, coconut fiber and scrap metal.
Tiskita Jungle Lodge (Click here) Set on 100 hectares of orchards, this jungle lodge has more than 100 varieties of tropical fruit from around the world.
Return