BackpackerMom

Hi all, here are some of the secrets of Costa Rica travel.
First and foremost, for any of you who are interested in traveling around Costa Rica you’ll know that it’s not on the cheap side at all.
So I’ve come up with a few tips to make your trip just as fun and not pay as much:
1. When eating there are a few things to look out for:

a. Why go to the commercialized restaraunts when you can get a better meal at the local ones called: SODAS. They usually serve homemade stuff at half the price and (this is important) they don’t charge 13% tax. The majority of the other restaraunts all charge 13% plus 10% tip.

b. the tip is almost always included in the price of the meal, so before you tip check your bill.

c. If you do go to a commercialized restaraunt make sure to say you’re paying cash, sometimes they will waver the 13% or give you some other discount.

2. CASH!!!!!!! is king in Costa Rica. No matter where you go if you say you’re paying in cash (EFFECTIVO–in spanish) you are almost always guaranteed a discount. And I’m not talking about restaruants and hotels only, I mean pharamcies, super markets, anywhere you possibly can ask. Chances are there will be a small discount.

3. If traveling to Costa Rica on the off-season (September-November) you are guaranteed to get a better deal and especially with cash. Make sure you first say is there a cash discount, they’ll say yes. Once you’ve established that, then say well it’s also the slow season what discount do you have for that?

4. Taxis–this is tricky. You must make sure that the cab has a meter and that it’s running. Never let them quote you a price it will always be much greater. If the meter isn’t running, the next cab’s will. So wait for it.

5. If you can hack it, take public transportation from one location to the next. There are hundreds of different services these days and they are all quite pricey. I recommend you go with them only if you’re on a time frame and if you have little kids. But otherwise the amount of money you can save is dramatic. I mean over 50 bucks a pop.

6. Always shop locally. Stay away from the tourist shops and especially ones owned by foreigners. They are major rip-offs and the discounts you’ll get are meager to say the least. Street shopping with some haggling can get you great deals and souvenirs, and if the area has a central market it’s a great place to shop for food, eat, and find some trinkets.

Stay tuned for more tips traveling in Costa Rica…

If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask me on this blog or email me:
marina@backpackermom.com