Is Costa Rica Expensive? How to Travel It for Less by Staying Outside the Tourist Towns
By the Bluesky Lodge & Farm family, NicoyaUpdated October 1, 2026
Short answer
Costa Rica can be expensive, but much of that is the tourist-town premium. Stay outside the famous beach towns and eat where locals eat, and costs drop a lot. Near Nicoya, lodging is roughly half the price of Sámara, Nosara or Tamarindo in our experience, and the beach is still 45 minutes away.
Where the "expensive" reputation comes from
Most visitors see Costa Rica through its most popular places: beach towns, big national parks and resort areas. There, lodging, restaurants and tours are priced for international visitors, often in US dollars. Costa Rica isn't a bargain-basement country, but where you sleep and eat makes the biggest difference.
Where Nicoya fits in
Nicoya is one of the oldest towns in Costa Rica and the heart of the Nicoya Blue Zone. It's a real Costa Rican town with supermarkets, banks, a hospital and a bus station, and it is not that expensive. Bluesky Lodge is 10 minutes away on a mountaintop, so you get local prices without giving up the view.
What a stay at Bluesky Lodge costs
| Season | Per night (up to 5 guests) | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Green season (May 1 – Dec 14) | ₡65,000 (≈ US$125) | ≈ US$25 |
| High season (Dec 15 – Apr 30) | ₡85,000 (≈ US$165) | ≈ US$33 |
Prices are set in colones; dollar amounts are approximate and depend on the exchange rate. 2-night minimum, no cleaning fee, up to 8 guests (₡5,000 per extra person per night). See the full pricing and live calculator.
That includes a fully equipped kitchen, so you can cook with groceries from Nicoya, plus the infinity pool and the view.
7 ways to spend less in Costa Rica
- Sleep outside the tourist towns and drive to the beach for the day.
- Eat at sodas. A casado (the classic plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and meat or fish) costs a fraction of a tourist-restaurant meal.
- Shop at the supermarket and the local market and cook some of your meals.
- Travel in green season (May–November) for lower rates. Nicoya is one of the driest areas then; see rainy season in Nicoya.
- Pay in colones where you can, and avoid prices rounded up in dollars.
- Mix paid tours with free nature: beaches, viewpoints and hikes cost little or nothing.
- Book direct with small hosts. You skip platform fees, and they can tell you what's actually worth paying for.
Want it even cheaper? Volunteer
If you have a few weeks and like getting your hands dirty, our farm welcomes volunteers who help with animals, gardens and building in exchange for accommodation. See volunteering in Nicoya.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Costa Rica so expensive?+
Mostly because of where travelers stay and eat. Beach towns like Tamarindo, Nosara and Sámara are priced for tourists, with prices often in US dollars. Ordinary Costa Rican towns, local restaurants (sodas) and supermarkets are much more affordable.
Is Nicoya cheaper than Tamarindo or Nosara?+
Yes. Nicoya is a working Costa Rican town, not a resort town. In our experience, lodging nearby costs roughly half of comparable places in Sámara, Nosara or Tamarindo, and food in town costs local prices.
How much does Bluesky Lodge cost per night?+
₡65,000 per night in green season (May 1–Dec 14) and ₡85,000 in high season (Dec 15–Apr 30), for up to 5 guests, with a 2-night minimum and no cleaning fee. Up to 8 guests can stay, at ₡5,000 per extra person per night.
What is a soda in Costa Rica?+
A small, family-run Costa Rican restaurant serving home cooking such as the casado (rice, beans, salad, plantain and a meat or fish). Sodas are the cheapest way to eat well in Costa Rica.
Come and see it for yourself
A-frame cabins, an infinity pool and a 180° view over the Nicoya mountains, 10 minutes from town and 45 minutes from the beach.
