Is Costa Rica Worth the Price? Our Favorite Adventures, Hidden Gems & Budget Tips
Is Costa Rica worth the price? After three weeks exploring La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Nosara, we're sharing our favorite adventures, honest reviews, and budget tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
10/22/20267 min read
From volcano hikes and whitewater rafting to cloud forests and beach days, here's where we splurged, where we saved, and what we'd actually recommend.
Costa Rica has a reputation for being one of the more expensive destinations in Central America. So, is it actually worth the price?
After spending nearly three weeks exploring the country, we have some thoughts!
We originally came to Costa Rica to celebrate our anniversary and enjoy a little relaxation. But if you know us, you know we can only sit still for so long. What started as a relaxing getaway quickly turned into a trip filled with waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, ziplining, wildlife encounters, and surfing.
And honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way.
Costa Rica isn't necessarily the destination we'd recommend for someone trying to travel on the tightest budget possible. But between its incredible biodiversity, beautiful landscapes, and endless opportunities for adventure, we quickly understood why so many people fall in love with this country.
Here's our honest breakdown of the places we visited, the experiences we'd recommend, and where we'd save or splurge if we did it all again.
La Fortuna: Volcano Views, Wildlife & Adrenaline
Our first stop was La Fortuna, home to the beautiful Arenal Volcano, natural hot springs, and some of the most exciting adventures of our trip.
La Fortuna immediately won us over.
Between the lush greenery, dramatic volcano views, and incredible wildlife, it felt like we were surrounded by nature everywhere we went. We spotted toucans, listened to the unforgettable songs of Montezuma oropendolas, and enjoyed our fair share of traditional Costa Rican meals at local sodas.
Where we splurged: Arenal Manoa Resort
Since we were celebrating our anniversary, we decided to treat ourselves to a nicer hotel for part of our stay.
And wow, did Arenal Manoa exceed our expectations!
This easily became one of our favorite resorts we've ever stayed at. The volcano views were incredible, the grounds were beautiful, and the included breakfast was genuinely one of the best hotel breakfasts we've experienced.
We're talking about the kind of breakfast you actually look forward to waking up for.
While we wouldn't normally stay somewhere like this throughout an entire year of travel, this was one splurge we absolutely don't regret.
Our verdict: Worth the splurge, especially for a special occasion.
Where we found adventure: Canyoning and whitewater rafting
After taking some time to unwind in the natural hot springs, we decided we'd had enough relaxation.
First up: canyoning with La Roca Canyoning.
If you've never tried canyoning, imagine rappelling down waterfalls surrounded by lush rainforest. It's the kind of experience that makes you feel a little nervous beforehand but leaves you wanting to do it all over again.
We had an incredible time with La Roca. The guides were professional, yet hilarious, the safety procedures made us feel comfortable, and the experience exceeded our expectations.
Of course, one adrenaline-filled adventure wasn't quite enough for us.
Next, we decided to tackle Class III and IV rapids on a whitewater rafting excursion.
Let's just say Rocío got a little more acquainted with the river than she originally planned. Apparently, taking an unexpected swim through the rapids was part of her itinerary. 😂
Thankfully, the day turned into one of our favorite memories from Costa Rica.
Between the excitement on the river, meeting wonderful people, seeing our first monkeys in Costa Rica, and even getting to pet a cow, it was one of those days we'll be talking about for years.
Our verdict: If you love adventure, these are two experiences we'd absolutely recommend budgeting for.
Where we'd save money in La Fortuna
One of our favorite things about La Fortuna is that you don't have to book an expensive excursion every day to enjoy it.
We mixed our paid adventures with simpler experiences, including exploring the area, hiking near Arenal Volcano, and enjoying natural hot springs.
We also loved eating at local sodas, which serve traditional Costa Rican food and can be a more affordable alternative to restaurants catering primarily to tourists.
Our biggest tip? Choose one or two adventures you're genuinely excited about, then balance those with lower-cost activities.
You don't need to pay for every waterfall, viewpoint, or guided tour to appreciate Costa Rica's natural beauty.
Monteverde: Cloud Forest Magic and a Few Unexpected Surprises
After La Fortuna, we made our way to Monteverde, known for its cloud forests, cooler temperatures, and incredible biodiversity.
The change in scenery was noticeable almost immediately.
The air felt cooler and fresher, the landscape was covered in lush greenery, and mist frequently rolled through the mountains. It was the kind of place that made you want to slow down and appreciate your surroundings.
Unfortunately, our experience wasn't entirely what we'd hoped for.
We discovered that our Airbnb had a history of multiple break-ins. Although additional security measures appeared to have been installed since those incidents, learning about them understandably made us uncomfortable.
Nothing happened to us during our stay, but it definitely affected how relaxed we felt.
It was also a reminder of one of the biggest lessons we've learned while traveling full-time: having flexibility in your accommodations can be incredibly valuable.
Sometimes you simply want the freedom to pack up and move on.
That being said, Monteverde still gave us some wonderful memories.
Our favorite Monteverde experiences
One of our favorite stops was Café Colibrí, where we got to watch beautiful hummingbirds up close. Seeing these tiny birds hovering just a few feet away was such a special experience.
We also enjoyed visiting the cloud forest and getting to appreciate an entirely different side of Costa Rica's natural beauty.
And, of course, we couldn't leave without getting another adrenaline fix.
We chose to go ziplining with Aventura, including the famous Tarzan swing.
Let's just say one of us handled the freefall a little more gracefully than the other. If you've seen our videos, you probably know who. 😂
Another highlight was meeting Dilan at the restaurant and brewery at the Belmont Hotel. One of the things we've enjoyed most about traveling is meeting wonderful people along the way, and experiences like this remind us how much those interactions add to a destination.
Was Monteverde worth visiting?
Yes, but we would probably approach it differently next time.
Monteverde offers incredible natural beauty, unique wildlife, and adventures you won't necessarily find elsewhere in Costa Rica.
However, between our accommodation concerns and our desire to spend more time on the coast, we were ready to move on by the end of our stay.
If we were planning this route again, we'd seriously consider swapping Monteverde for Manuel Antonio, a destination we didn't get to visit this time.
That doesn't mean Monteverde isn't worth visiting. It simply means that when you're planning a trip, it's important to think about which experiences matter most to you.
Our verdict: Worth considering for cloud forest lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a cooler mountain escape.
Playa Guiones, Nosara: Finally Slowing Down
After two destinations packed with activities, we made our way to Playa Guiones in Nosara.
And this time, we were determined to slow down a little.
Guiones has a completely different atmosphere from La Fortuna and Monteverde. Here, life seems to revolve around the beach, surfing, yoga, and enjoying the outdoors.
The surfing culture is incredible, the beach is beautiful, and we've enjoyed settling into a slower pace of life.
We've spent our days surfing, staying active, cooking meals, and enjoying some of the freshest, most delicious fruit we've had on our travels.
But there's one thing worth mentioning: Nosara is not cheap.
Between accommodations, restaurants, fitness studios, and other amenities, costs can add up quickly.
That said, you don't have to spend money every moment you're here.
One of our favorite things about Guiones is that the beach itself provides endless entertainment. Watching surfers, enjoying the sunset, or spending an afternoon relaxing by the ocean doesn't require an expensive tour.
We've also been making more meals at our accommodation rather than eating out for every meal.
And while we've enjoyed discovering the local food scene, balancing restaurant visits with grocery shopping has helped us manage our budget.
Is Nosara worth the higher prices?
We think it depends on what you're looking for.
If you love surfing, wellness, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere, Guiones has a lot to offer.
If your main priority is finding the cheapest beach destination in Central America, you may find better value elsewhere.
For us, it's been a wonderful place to recharge before our next adventure.
Our verdict: A beautiful place to slow down, especially if you love surfing and an active lifestyle. Just be prepared for higher prices.
Our Biggest Budget Tips for Costa Rica
After experiencing three very different parts of Costa Rica, we've learned that visiting this country doesn't necessarily have to mean spending money on expensive tours every single day.
Here's what helped us make the most of our trip without feeling like we had to say yes to everything.
1. Prioritize experiences over checking every box.
You don't need to do every tour in every destination. Pick the adventures that excite you most and build the rest of your trip around them.
2. Don't overlook free and inexpensive activities.
Some of our favorite moments have involved spotting wildlife, exploring beautiful natural areas, or simply spending time at the beach.
3. Eat local and cook when you can.
We love trying new restaurants, but eating out for every meal adds up. Traditional sodas and grocery shopping have helped us find a better balance.
4. Compare activity providers before booking.
We found that similar excursions could have noticeably different prices depending on the company and what's included. Taking a little extra time to compare options helped us choose experiences that felt worth the cost.
5. Leave some flexibility in your itinerary.
This might be our biggest lesson from our first month of full-time travel.
Booking everything far in advance can provide peace of mind, but it also limits your freedom to change plans.
Sometimes you find a place you absolutely love and want to stay longer. Other times, you realize you'd rather move on.
We're learning that leaving a little room for spontaneity can make travel more enjoyable.
So, Is Costa Rica Worth the Price?
For us, absolutely.
Costa Rica isn't the cheapest country we've visited, and there were definitely moments when we questioned the cost of certain activities, meals, or accommodations.
But when we think back on our time here, we don't immediately think about what we spent.
We think about rappelling down waterfalls, laughing through whitewater rafting adventures, seeing monkeys, watching hummingbirds in Monteverde, and catching waves in Guiones.
We think about the people we met and the memories we made.
Of course, that doesn't mean every expensive experience is automatically worth it. We still believe in being intentional with our travel budget and choosing where we splurge.
If you're coming to Costa Rica purely in search of the cheapest possible vacation, it might not be your first choice.
But if you love wildlife, adventure, beautiful scenery, and being outdoors, we think Costa Rica deserves a spot on your bucket list.
Would we do a few things differently? Definitely.
Would we come back? Without a doubt.
And honestly, isn't that part of the beauty of traveling? Every destination teaches you something new.
Have you been to Costa Rica? We'd love to know which destination or adventure was your favorite!
Until the next adventure,
Rocío & Hudson
Fit2Wander | Adventure is better together.
