What budget for activities and outings Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, the 30 or so national parks in this country of 5 million inhabitants protect 10% of primary forest and 50% of the country's total surface area. Maintaining this preservation effort obviously comes at a cost, and as a tourist you have to play along! Entrance fees to national parks may seem expensive, but preservation has a price! However, there are still some sites that are cheaper or even free, such as Curu, Manzanillo and Cahuita.

Thanks to its many parks, reserves, refuges, volcanoes and private sites, Costa Rica offers hikers countless discovery itineraries, for the sporty and the less sporty alike, and all without breaking the bank! For short hikes (1 to 3 days): the craters of the Central Valley volcanoes can be reached by short hikes from the parking lot. Climbing the Rincón de la Vieja is now forbidden, but you can discover its large park on foot, as well as the Río Celeste. Discovering Cahuita, Manuel Antonio and/or La Amistad national parks is an ideal way to start your adventure on foot. For the more adventurous, it's also possible to spend two or three days (with overnight stays in La Sirena) in Corcovado National Park. For longer hikes (3 days or more), it's essential to be in excellent physical condition, especially in a tropical environment. Corcovado National Park offers adventure trails in one of the world's most beautiful tropical rainforests. What's more, you can stay on site at the Sirena base camp. Similarly, Santa Rosa National Park, with its dry tropical forest, leads to the beautiful surf beaches of Naranjo and Bahia Salinas. For more intense trekking, La Amistad Park offers hikes to suit your more adventurous requirements, including the ascent of Cerro Chirripó with its "Andean" summit. The Los Quetzales National Park also offers challenging but simply sublime hikes.

In order to access the nightclubs, women will be able to take advantage of advantageous rates or even free.

What budget to eat Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, many small, popular restaurants, also known as sodas, are easy to spot thanks to their three- or four-sided open construction. Most often covered in palm fronds or corrugated iron, these little establishments serve fresh, local food at low prices. They serve staples such as casado, gallo pinto or empanadas, and sometimes even daily specials. If you're lucky, you'll enjoy an extraordinary view of the beach, the forest or the mountains, but sometimes of the road... In any case, this is where the locals eat! And don't forget the pulperías, small shops - a bit like grocery stores in our villages! -where you can get something to eat. And if you want to save money and feel full at the same time, try the casado, a complete meal in itself! It's a plate of white rice, meat or fish, black beans, plantains (fried or pan-fried) and a salad of tomatoes, fresh cabbage, carrots, red onions... all perfectly seasoned with lemon juice.

If you're satisfied with the service, it's customary to tip the waiter 15-20%.

What is the budget for accommodation Costa Rica?

To guarantee a certain level of comfort without breaking your budget, opt for a bed and breakfast, hostal or hostel. They generally offer a warm welcome and are usually run by foreigners (Americans, Canadians, Europeans...), but many are also run by Costa Rican families, for a more authentic experience. These establishments vary in comfort and price (from US$50 to US$100 per night on average). They provide access to kitchen facilities, Internet... Finally, prices generally include breakfast, but not taxes (13%).

Travel budget Costa Rica and cost of living

Costa Rica is a country with a high standard of living, so you'll find the same prices as in Europe or the USA. Remember that in the tourist industry, as everywhere else, everything is a little more expensive.

Getting there. Tickets from Europe cost an average of €1,000 (in summer, around €1,400). Cheaper tickets may be available in November and May, when the rainy season begins and ends, which is a good time to discover the country.

Accommodation. You're unlikely to find anything decent for less than US$40-50 per double room, especially during the high season (December to April).

Transport. Apart from car hire (a small 4x4 costs around US$500/week in high season, so make sure you book well in advance to get the best rates), transport is cheap, as are "local" restaurants. Green Airways (www.costaricagreenair.com) and Sansa (www.flysansa.com), two local airlines, offer travel throughout the country.

National parks. It costs between US$15 and US$20 per person per day to enter a national park, not including guide services. The same applies to most tourist attractions, except for adventure activities, which can cost up to US$100 per day.

Catering. For a full meal, expect to pay 2,500 to 7,000 colones in a soda shop, and 10,000 to 25,000 colones in a mid-range restaurant or at a good table.