Money & costs

Contents

Costs
Money

Costs
Travel costs are significantly higher here than in most Central American countries, but
cheaper than in the USA or Europe. And if youre arriving from inexpensive Central
American nations, such as Nicaragua, get ready to bust that wallet wide open.
Prices in Costa Rica are frequently listed in US dollars, especially at upmarket hotels and
restaurants, where you can expect to pay international prices. Most types of tours are
charged in US dollars. In fact, US dollars are widely accepted, but the standard unit of
currency is still the coln.
Shoestring travelers can survive on US$25 to US$35 a day, covering just the basics of food,
lodging and public transportation. The cheapest hotels start at about US$7 to US$15 per
person for a bed, four walls and shared bathroom. Better rooms with private bathroom start
at roughly US$15 to US$20 per person, depending on the area. It is possible to eat cheaply
at the many sodas (lunch counters), where you can fill up on tasty casados, which are set
meals, for about US$2 to US$3.
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 allows travelers the opportunity to cook this is a great option for families. A variety
of restaurants cater to midrange travelers, offering meals that range from US$5 to US$10.
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 from US$80 up, and offer truly worldclass 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, Jac, Manuel Antonio
and many of the beaches on the Pennsula de Nicoya) are also more expensive than the rest
of the country.
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Money

ATMs
Its increasingly easy to find cajeros automticos (ATMs) in Costa Rica, even in the
smallest towns. The Visa Plus network is the standard, but machines on the Cirrus network,
which accepts most foreign ATM cards, can be found in larger cities and tourist towns. In
these areas, ATMs also dispense US dollars, which is convenient for payments at top-end
hotels and tour agencies. Note that some machines will only accept cards held by their own
customers.
Cash & Currency

The Costa Rican currency is the coln (plural colones, ), named after Cristbal Coln
(Christopher Columbus). Bills come in 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 notes, while coins
come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100. Note that older coins are larger and
silver, while newer ones are smaller and gold-colored this is often a source of confusion
for travelers fresh off the plane.
Throughout Costa Rica, you can pay for tours, park fees, hotel rooms, midrange to
expensive meals and large-ticket items with US dollars. However, local meals, bus fares
and small items should generally be paid with colones.
Paying for things in US dollars should be free of hassle, and at times is encouraged since
the currency is viewed as being more stable than colones. Newer US dollars (eg big heads)
are preferred throughout Costa Rica.
Credit Cards

You can expect a transaction fee on all international credit-card purchases. Holders of credit
and debit cards can buy colones and sometimes US dollars in some banks, though you can
expect to pay a high transaction fee. Cards are widely accepted at some midrange and most
top-end hotels, as well as top-end restaurants and some travel agencies. All car rental
agencies accept credit cards.
Exchanging Money

All banks will exchange US dollars, and some will exchange euros and British pounds;
other currencies are more difficult. Most banks have excruciatingly long lines, especially at
the state-run institutions (Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular), though
they dont charge commissions on cash exchanges. Private banks (Banex, Banco Interfin,
Scotiabank) tend to be faster. Make sure the dollar bills you want to exchange are in good
condition or they may be refused.
Taxes

Travelers will notice a 13.39% sales tax at midrange and top-end hotels and restaurants,
while hotels also charge an additional 3% tourist surcharge. Everybody must pay a US$26
airport tax upon leaving the country. It is payable in US dollars or in colones, and credit

cards are accepted. Note that some travellers have reported that this fee was charged on
their cards as a cash advance, which resulted in a hefty fee.
Tipping

It is customary to tip the bellhop/porter (US$1 to US$3 per service) and the housekeeper
(US$1 to US$2 per day) in top-end hotels, less in budget places. On guided tours, tip the
guide US$1 to US$10 per person per day. Tip the tour driver about half of what you tip the
guide. Naturally, tips depend upon quality of service. Taxi drivers are not normally tipped,
unless some special service is provided. Top-end restaurants may add a 10% service charge
onto the bill. If not, you might leave a small tip to show your appreciation, but it is not
required.
Travelers Checks

Most banks and exchange bureaus will cash travelers checks at a commission of 1% to 3%.
Some hotels will accept them as payment, but check policies carefully as many hotels do
not. US dollar travelers checks are preferred. It may be difficult or impossible to change
checks of other currencies.

Getting around
Contents

Boat
Hitching

Bus & tram

Car & motorcycle

Tours

Local transport

Air

Bicycle

Boat
Ferries cross the Golfo de Nicoya connecting the central Pacific coast with the southern tip
of Pennsula de Nicoya. The Countermark ferry (661 1069; passenger/car US$2/ 9) links
the port of Puntarenas with Playa Naranjo four times daily. The Ferry Peninsular (641
0515; passenger/car US$2/9) travels between Puntarenas and Vaquero every two hours, for
a bus connection to Montezuma.

On the Golfo Dulce, a daily passenger ferry links Golfito with Puerto Jimnez on the
Pennsula de Osa and a weekday water taxi travels to and from Playa Zancudo. On the
other side of the Pennsula de Osa, water taxis connect Baha Drake with Sierpe.
On the Caribbean coast, there is a bus and boat service which runs several times a day,
linking Cariari and Tortuguero, while another links Parismina and Siquirres. Boats also ply
the canals that run along the coast from Mon to Tortuguero, although no regular service
exists. A daily water taxi connects Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqu with Trinidad on the Ro San
Juan. (The San Juan is Nicaraguan territory, so take your passport.) You can try to arrange
boat transport in any of these towns for Barra del Colorado.
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Hitching
Hitchhiking is never entirely safe in any country, and Lonely Planet doesnt recommend it.
Travelers who hitchhike should understand that they are taking a small but potentially
serious risk. People who do hitchhike will be safer if they travel in pairs and let someone
know where they are planning to go. Single women should use even greater discretion.
Hitching in Costa Rica is not common on main roads that have frequent buses. On minor
rural roads, hitching is easier. To get picked up, most locals wave to cars in a friendly
manner. If you get a ride, offer to pay when you arrive: Cuanto le debo? (How much do I
owe you?) Your offer may be waved aside, or you may be asked to help with money for
gas.
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Bus & tram

Local buses
Local buses are the best (if rather slow) way of getting around Costa Rica. You can take one
just about everywhere, and theyre frequent and cheap, with the longest domestic journey
out of San Jos costing less than US$10.
San Jos is the transportation center for the country, but there is no central terminal. Bus
offices are scattered around the city: some large bus companies have big terminals that sell
tickets in advance, while others have little more than a stop sometimes unmarked. (One
local bus station in San Jos consists of a guy with a clipboard sitting on a lawn chair.)
Normally theres room for everyone on a bus, and if there isnt, someone will squeeze you
on anyhow. The exceptions are days before and after a major holiday, especially Easter,
when buses are ridiculously full. (Note that there are no buses on the Thursday to Saturday
before Easter Sunday.) There are two types of bus: directo and colectivo. The directo buses
presumably go from one destination to the next with few stops. If only this were so! It is

against the instinctual nature of Costa Rican bus drivers not to pick up every single
roadside passenger. (Directo buses charge more for this largely nonexistent nonstop
service.) As for the colectivo, you know youre on one when the kids outside are
outrunning your bus.
Trips longer than four hours usually include a rest stop (buses do not have bathrooms).
Space is limited on board, so if you have to check luggage watch that it gets loaded and that
it isnt accidentally given to someone else at intermediate stops. Keep your day pack with
important documents on you at all times. Thefts from overhead racks are rampant.
Bus schedules may fluctuate, so always confirm the time when you buy your ticket. If you
are catching a bus that picks up somewhere along a road, get to the roadside early.
Departure times are estimated and if the bus comes early, it will leave early.
For information on departures from San Jos, pay a visit to the ICT office to pick up the
sort of up-to-date copy of the master schedule, which is also on-line at
www.visitcostarica.com. Another more thorough but less reliable source of bus schedules
and fares is Costa Rica by Bus, a self-published e-book that is available at
www.costaricabybus.com.
Bus
Local buses operate chiefly in San Jos, Puntarenas, San Isidro, Golfito and Puerto Limn,
connecting urban and suburban areas. Most local buses pick up passengers on the street and
on main roads. The vehicles in service are usually converted school buses imported from
the USA, and they are often packed.
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Car & motorcycle

If you plan to drive in Costa Rica, your drivers license from home is normally accepted for
up to 90 days. Many places will also accept an International Driving Permit (IDP), issued
by the automobile association in your country of origin. After 90 days, you will need to get
a Costa Rican drivers license. Most travelers fly into Costa Rica and then rent a car or
motorcycle.
Gasoline (petrol) and diesel are widely available and 24-hour service stations dot the entire
stretch of the Interamericana. The price of gas is about US$0.65 per liter, although it can
fluctuate up to US$1 per liter. In more remote areas, fuel will likely be more expensive and
might be sold from a drum at the neighborhood pulpera (corner grocery store); look for
signs that say Se vende gasolina. Spare parts may be hard to find, especially for vehicles
with sophisticated electronics and emissions-control systems.
Hire

Most car-rental agencies can be found in San Jos and in popular tourist destinations on the
Pacific coast (Tamarindo, Jac, Quepos and Puerto Jimnez). Car rental is not cheap, and if
you are going to be doing even a small amount of driving, invest in a 4WD. Many agencies
will insist on 4WD for extended travel, especially in the rainy season, when driving through
rivers is a matter of course. Ordinary cars are pointless as soon as you leave the
Interamericana. Most rental vehicles are manual shift.
To rent a car you need a valid drivers license, a major credit card and a passport. The
minimum age for car rental is 21. When reserving a car, ask for written confirmation.
Carefully inspect rented cars for minor damage, and make sure that any damage is noted on
the rental agreement. If your car breaks down, call the rental company. Dont attempt to get
the car fixed yourself; most companies wont reimburse expenses without prior
authorization.
Prices start at US$450 per week for a 4WD, including kilometraje libre (unlimited
mileage). Basic insurance will cost an additional US$12 to US$20 per day and rental
companies wont rent you a car without it. The roads in Costa Rica are rough and rugged,
meaning that minor accidents or damage to the car is not uncommon. You can pay an extra
fee (about US$10 per day) for a Collision Damage Waiver, or CDW, which covers the
driver and a third party with a US$750 deductible. Above and beyond this, you can
purchase full insurance, which is expensive, but its worth it. Note that if you pay with a
gold or platinum credit card, the company will usually take responsibility for damages to
the car, in which case you can forego the cost of the full insurance. Make sure you verify
this with your credit card company ahead of time. Finally, note that most insurance policies
do not cover damages caused by flooding or driving through a river (even though this is
sometimes necessary in Costa Rica!), so be aware of the extent of your policy.
Rental rates fluctuate wildly, so make sure you shop around before you commit to anything.
Some agencies offer discounts if you reserve online or if you rent for long periods of time.
Note that rental offices at the airport charge a 12% fee in addition to regular rates.
Thieves can easily recognize rental cars, and many thefts have occurred from them. Never
leave anything in sight in a parked car nothing! and remove all luggage from the trunk
overnight. Park the car in a guarded parking lot rather than on the street.
Motorcycles (including Harleys) can be rented in San Jos and Escaz.
All of the major international rental agencies have outlets in Costa Rica, but you can
usually get a better deal from a local company:
Adobe (259 4242, in the USA 800-769 8422; www.adobecar.com) Reader recommended,
with offices in Liberia, Tamarindo and Quepos. Each rental vehicle comes with a cell phone
with unlimited domestic use.
Dollar (443 2950, in the USA 866-767 8651; www.dollarcostarica.com) Also has an office
at the Liberia airport.

Poas (442 6178, in the USA 888-607 POAS; www.carentals.com) Service centers in
Liberia, Tamarindo, La Fortuna and Gupiles. Includes cell phone, cooler and baby seat, if
you reserve on-line.
Solid (442 6000; www.solidcarrental.com) The only agency with offices in Puerto Jimnez
and Golfito.
Toyota (258 5797, in the USA 894 6709; www.toyotarent.com)
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Tours
More than 200 tour operators are recognized by the Costa Rican tourist board (ICT), with
the majority based in San Jos. Scores of tour operators in North America and Europe also
run tours to Costa Rica. Many outfits will arrange customized itineraries.
There are tour companies that cater for gays and lesbians and disabled people. Many
companies also offer natural-history tours or multiactivity tours.
Costa rica-based companies
Ecole Travel (223 2240; www.ecoletravel.com)
Green Tortoise Adventure Travel (838 7677, in the USA 800-807 8647;
www.greentortoise.com) Budget camping tours.
Green Tropical Tours (229 4192, 380 1536; www.greentropical.com)
Swiss Travel Service (282 4898; www.swisstravelcr.com)
Canada-based companies
GAP Adventures (in Canada 1-800-465 5600; www.gapadventures.com)
Trek Holidays (in Canada 800-661 7265; www.trekholidays.com)
Uk-based companies
Condor Journeys & Adventures (in the UK 01700-841 318; www.condorjourneysadventures.com)
Journey Latin America (JLA; in the UK 020-8747 8315; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk)
Last Frontiers (in the UK01296-653 000; www.lastfrontiers.co.uk)

Us-based companies
Costa Rica Connection (in the USA 805-543 8823, 800-345 7422; www.crconnect.com)
Costa Rica Experts (in the USA 773-935 1009, 800-827 9046;
www.costaricaexperts.com)
Ecotour Expeditions (in the USA 401-423 3377, 800-688 1822; www.naturetours.com)
Elderhostel (in the USA 978-323 4141, 877-426 8056; www.elderhostel.org) Tours for
travelers aged over 55 (younger companions permitted).
Holbrook Travel (in the USA 352-377 7111, 800-451 7111; www.holbrooktravel.com)
International Adventures, Ltd (800-990 9738; www.intladventures.com)
Nature Expeditions (800-869 0639; www.naturexp.com)
Preferred Adventures (in the USA 651-222 8131, 800-840 8687;
www.preferredadventures.com)
Pure Trek (866 569 5723; www.puretrekcostarica.com)
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Local transport
Taxi
Taxis are considered a form of public transport in remote areas that lack good publictransportation networks. They can be hired by the hour, the half-day or full day, or you can
arrange a flat fee for a trip.
Meters are not used on long trips, so arrange the fare ahead of time. Fares can fluctuate due
to worse-than-expected road conditions and bad weather in tough-to-reach places. The
condition of cabs varies wildly, from basic sedans held together by rust to fully equipped
4WDs with air-con. In some cases, taxis are pickup trucks with seats built into the back.
Most towns will have at least one licensed taxi, but in some remote villages you may have
to get rides from whoever is offering. (Ask at pulperas.)
Hiring a car with a driver can cost the same or less than renting a car for the day, and it
allows someone else (who knows the roads) to do the driving while you enjoy the scenery.
Taxi

In San Jos taxis have meters, called maras, but many drivers try to get out of using them,
particularly if you dont speak Spanish. (It is illegal not to use the meter.) Outside of San
Jos most taxis dont have meters, and fares tend to be agreed upon in advance; some
bargaining is quite acceptable.
In some towns, there are colectivo taxis that several passengers are able to share. Manuel
Antonio and Golfito have a collective system in which drivers charge passengers a flat fee
of about US$0.50 to take them from one end of town to the other. This service is getting
more difficult to find in Manuel Antonio, where foreign travelers seem reticent to share
transportation. (Come on folks, loosen up a bit!)
In rural areas, 4WD jeeps are often used as taxis. A 10-minute ride in one will usually cost
about US$2. Taxi drivers are not normally tipped unless they assist with your luggage or
have provided an above-average service.
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Air
Scheduled flights
Costa Ricas domestic airlines are NatureAir (220 3054; www.natureair.com) and Sansa
(221 9414; www.flysansa.com); the latter is linked with Grupo TACA.
Both airlines fly small passenger planes, and youre allocated a baggage allowance of no
more than 12kg. If the flight is full, your surfboard or golf clubs might not make it on; even
if they do, youll likely be paying extra for excess weight. NatureAir flies from Tobas
Bolaos airport, 8km west of the center of San Jos in the suburb of Pavas. Sansa operates
out of the blue building to the right of the international terminal at Juan Santamara airport.
Both airlines fly 14- and 19-passenger aircraft and offer a bumpy ride. These services arent
for people who have phobias about flying. Space is limited and demand is high in the dry
season, so reserve and pay for tickets in advance.
Schedules change constantly and delays are frequent because of inclement weather. Be
patient: Costa Rica has small planes and big storms; you dont want to be in them at the
same time. You should not arrange a domestic flight that makes a tight connection with an
international flight back home.
All domestic flights originate and terminate at San Jos. High-season fares are listed
throughout this book. Destinations reached from San Jos include Baha Drake, Barra del
Colorado, Golfito, Liberia, Coto 47/Neily, Palmar Sur, Playa Nosara, Playa
Smara/Carrillo, Playa Tamarindo, Puerto Jimnez, Quepos, Tambor and Tortuguero.
Charters

Tobas Bolaos airport in Pavas caters to small aircraft that can be chartered to fly just
about anywhere in the country. Fares start at about US$300 per hour for three- or four-seat
planes, and it takes 40 to 90 minutes to fly to most destinations. You also have to pay for
the return flight. You should be aware that luggage space is extremely limited.
Many tour agencies can book charters, but you can book directly as well.
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Bicycle
Mountain bikes and beach cruisers can be rented in towns with a significant tourist
presence at US$8 to US$15 per day. A few companies organize bike tours around Costa
Rica.