The well-known expression “you get what you pay for” has many caveats. How does it apply to traveling within Costa Rica? How can we make our money go further without sacrificing quality or the environment?
Below we share four important considerations compiled by El Colectivo 506, some of them directly from members of our Entrepreneurs 506 community on WhatsApp. They may not result in a drastic decrease in the cost of your trip, but will help you avoid some apparent savings that might turn into an unexpected expense.
Planning for success
No matter what type of traveler you are, you need to dedicate time to planning your trip. Costa Rica offers all kinds of services that can help you with this. There are the cultural tourism guides from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), hundreds of tour operator websites, travel books from well-known publishing houses, and even word of mouth—because it’s almost certain that someone you know has visited the country. That’s why our first piece of advice is to take the time to find out more.
Daniel Flores, a resident of Heredia and a member of our Entrepreneurs 506 community, with ROKBIT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Agency, recommends “planning a route and basic situations before leaving. Establish a checklist and have a clear budget.”
When researching Costa Rica, start by choosing destinations within the country that aren’t too far apart. Traffic and road conditions make many trips much longer than they look on a map, which can be tiring if you’re driving, and expensive if you opt for private transportation. The time in transit also takes away from your full experience Costa Rica. Once you’ve decided which areas to visit, try to choose different activities in each, always leaving time to relax or explore other activities once you’re there. This will give you the sense of variety you’re looking for.
This may be the only time you’ll be able to visit the country, and that’s why you want to see as much as possible, but we recommend that for a 10-day trip you try to limit your itinerary to three destinations at the most, with two or three nights in each one.
The variety of accommodations available in Costa Rica is overwhelming. Work on a budget for your trip and search online or with your travel agent for accommodations that fit your needs and budget; you’re almost guaranteed to find an option. But before committing, consider the environmental impact of the place you’re visiting, and consider investing in slightly more expensive accommodations that demonstrate in their communications that they have environmentally friendly practices.This is one of those areas where cheap can end up being expensive.
But how to choose an environmentally friendly hotel?
The environment and your money
Traveling is increasingly common, but at the same time, more and more people are thinking twice because the carbon footprint of air travel and ground transportation is very high. Therefore, when planning your trip, consider destinations, accommodations, and activities that work to reduce the ecological footprint generated by your visit and that of so many others. Think of it this way: you’re not only investing in a dream vacation, but also in conservation efforts and protecting the planet.
In Costa Rica, one option is to look for businesses that have certifications guaranteeing energy-saving practices, the conscious use of resources, and the reduction and proper management of waste. These certifications include: Sustainable Tourism Certification (CST) which certifies activities, services and accommodations, and the Ecological Blue Flag Program, also from the ICT, which certifies destinations, communities, protected areas, educational centers, businesses, and activities. It’s common for companies and organizations with these certifications to share them on their websites.
Safety and your money
Daniel, from ROKBIT, also reminded us of several safety recommendations. First, the importance of using the hotel safe when available, at least to protect identification documents, credit cards, and cash. He also emphasized the importance of purchasing travel insurance, which should not only cover accidents or health issues, but also offer assistance and compensation in case of theft.
Another unfortunately common danger is online scams. Make sure you don’t provide more information than absolutely necessary when making a payment online or in person, and compare prices before committing to a service or product.
Costa Rica is a fairly safe place, but there are no guarantees. That’s why Daniel also recommends being cautious before walking alone. Based on our years of experience at El Colectivo 506 as women travelers, we recommend that all travelers ask and heed the safety advice of local staff at hotels; avoid areas with little to no foot traffic; stay alert, avoiding the use of headphones, for example; and take extra care at night.
We include these valuable recommendations because, although they may not seem related to having a financially successful trip, preventing these unpleasant experiences is a way to save not only financially but also emotionally.
Health and your money
Francisco Brenes, also a member of Emprendedores 506 and a coach at B Better, spoke to us about dining out, and how sometimes it’s better to pay a little more to ease our stomachs into a new place.
“If I have to choose between fast food, the town’s soda (traditional spot somewhat akin to a diner), and a local restaurant, I’ll probably choose the latter,” Francisco said, before explaining that basic cooking ingredients, such as oils and fats and seasonings, can be very different and difficult for visitors to digest, causing not only financial costs when seeking medical assistance, but also the loss of valuable days on their trip that will not be reimbursed.
This doesn’t mean that people should avoid small restaurants and food stalls that seem more traditional and valued by locals, but perhaps this visit shouldn’t be the first on their trip.
The calendar and your money
We know that the times during the calendar year that you can travel don’t always depend on you; however, consider visiting Costa Rica during the “green season” or rainy season. During these months, there are fewer visitors and prices for accommodations and activities tend to be lower as a result.
Those months are between May and June and between September and November. While the continues through July and August, those months tend to see a big uptick in visitors because of school vacations elsewhere.
Although it tends to rain more during those months of the year on the Pacific coast, the Central Valley, and the northern region, there’s a special magic to seeing Costa Rica lush and green. But we also have an important piece of information to share: in the second half of the year, the country’s Caribbean coast, especially the southern region, will have a sunny and drier climate. And in the northern region, you might witness the hatching of sea turtles.
Regardless of the time of year you decide to visit Costa Rica, the most important thing is to be informed, so that you can find experiences that will not only stretch your budget, but also allow you to accumulate invaluable memories and experiences.
