How to Find Cheap Hotels in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most politically stable countries in Central America. It offers a wide variety of ecotourism opportunities, as well as luxury tourism destinations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Round-trip tickets or travel arrangements for other destinations after your visit to Costa Rica is completed
• Valid passport

Know Your Destination

1. Speak a Latin language or speak English. The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish, however most Costa Ricans also speak English.
2. Go on a shopping spree, but make sure to use the right currency. The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colon(es). One U.S. dollar is worth about 515 Colones.
3. Feel the earth, wind and fire in Costa Rica. Take advantage of the many outdoor attractions this country has to offer. Windsurf, scuba dive, climb a volcano or go skydiving.

Organize Your Transportation in Costa Rica

4. Land in the Juan Santamaria Airport. This airport is located near the cities of Alajuela, San Jose and Heredia.
5. Take your pick of local transportation options. Costa Rica is a middle-income country that offers many public transportation options including buses, trains, charter flights, boats and rental cars.

Choose Your Lodging in Costa Rica

6. To book accommodations, contact The official website of the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
7. Find cheap accommodations by looking for hotels in popular tourist locations. These locations tend to have the most lodging options, as well as the most hotel competition. Because of this, you will be able to find competitive rates on rooms.
8. Book your hotel room during the off-season and save money. Cheap accommodations can be found throughout the country during the off-season, which is May through November.
9. Expect to book by phone in English. Hotel staff will generally be able to speak English as well as Spanish. English will generally be spoken more fluently and frequently in areas of Costa Rica that attract a lot of international tourists.
10. Camp out and save money. One form of cheap accommodation that is widely available in Costa Rica is sleeping in the great outdoors. Ecotourism is a booming business in this country so you can take a guided camping trip or you can set out into the Costa Rican jungle on your own for an amazing outdoor adventure.

Tips & Warnings

• Register with the nearest U.S. Embassy when you land in Costa Rica.
• Costa Rica generally doesn't have problems with terrorism attacks. However, it does occasionally have problems with labor strikes. These may impair a visitor's ability to shop at a store or travel around the country.
• Drowning is a hazard facing tourists that go on whitewater rafting adventures down Costa Rican rivers.