Pura Vida; “Simple Life or Pure Life”. A way of living & being practiced in Costa Rica. Living a peaceful, uncluttered life with a deep appreciation of nature, family, and friends. A real living that reflects happiness, well-being, and satisfaction.
For a popular destination among first-time travelers and bougie American resort-goers, Costa Rica still holds a surprising appeal to avid adventurers. With over 1/4 of the countries rainforests protected as national parks, two spectacular coastlines, and an array of wildlife in every corner- Costa Rica rarely disappoints.
Wildly expensive and ruggedly wild Costa Rica sometimes seems like a clash of two opposing personalities. Travelers tolerate underwhelming food and overpriced accommodation for a chance to spot Tapirs, Pumas, Sloths, and Macaws or ride the waves on a palm-fringed beach. It’s equal parts laidback and high-end. It appeals to all travelers equally. And maybe that’s the magic of it.
Costa Rica Travel Guide
Recommended Cities: Uvita, Drake Bay (Corcovado National Park), Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero
Minimum Recommended Trip Length: 2-3 weeks to see the destinations above.
One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: An overnight stay in Corcovado National Park. A day trip will not suffice.
Things to Consider Before You Go: Public transportation is limited in Costa Rica. You CAN rely on buses and tourist vans to get you places but most visitors rent a car. This is easy but can be extraordinarily expensive. Up to $90/day. Hitch-hiking is also an acceptable and very easy way to get around if you have a little bit of a looser time frame.
Visa Requirements
Costa Rica doesn’t require a visa for travelers from the United States for visits under 6 months.
Estimated Backpacker Budget
On a Shoestring: $45/day
Flashpacker: $75/day
Backpacker Luxury: $95/day
Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be cooking your own meals, sleeping in your car or camper, & skipping the more expensive tourist attractions. You would not be able to stay overnight in Corcovado National Park on this budget. Backpacker Luxury opts for hotel rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.
Costa Rica Blog Posts
How to Eat, Sleep, & Beach in Uvita on a Budget (Costa Rica)
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Your Complete Guide to Visiting Corcovado National Park
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