Backpacking Costa Rica – A First-Timers Guide

Ah, Costa Rica! The land of amazing rainforests, beautiful beaches, cool wildlife, and a bad reputation of being too expensive for backpackers. 

Because of its expensive and touristy reputation a lot of people tend to skip backpacking in Costa Rica and head straight to it’s more affordable neighbors, Panama and Nicaragua.

Seriously, it’s insane the number of awesome people we have met while in Panama or Nicaragua that are backpacking through Central America and plan on taking the bus straight through Costa Rica because it’s too expensive for them.

This always breaks my Costa Rica loving heart, but I completely understand. The country is 100% is more expensive than its neighbors. However, it is still possible to travel without completely breaking the bank.

And, I’m of course biased, but Costa Rica is way more fun than its neighbors. So, I definitely think you should visit!

We created this guide to backpacking Costa Rica to give you the best info on how to travel the country as a backpacker.

Let’s start with the border crossings….

Border Crossings While Backpacking Costa Rica

Anyone else get serious anxiety when it comes to border crossings? I always have mini panic attacks and it (almost) always turns out just fine!

Flying In

If you are starting your travels in Costa Rica you can fly into either the Liberia or San Jose airport. 

The Liberia airport is only about an hour from the Nicaragua border. This could be a great option if you want a quick visit to some nice Costa Rican beaches and then plan on heading north.

The San Jose airport is much more centrally located. 

We have a complete guide to both airports if you need some help deciding.

Keep in mind, when you enter Costa Rica you will need to show the border control officer proof that you plan to leave Costa Rica within 90 days. There are two ways of going about this.

  1. Show flight proof back to your home country (can be from another Central American airport) within 90 days of your entry.
  2. Show proof of an onward bus ticket. This is the cheapest way. I suggest Tica Bus because their tickets aren’t crazy expensive, you can book online, and you need to enter your passport so it shows that you are actually the person on the ticket.

We have a complete guide of Costa Rica entry requirements which gets more in detail into all of this.

Costa Rica/ Panama Border

isla colon bocas del toro

Heading from Panama into Costa Rica is pretty easy, but it can occasionally get very backed up.

There is no fee for entering the Costa Rica (you pay about $8 per person when leaving) but you will have to show proof that you are leaving Costa Rica within 90 days. 

As with entering Costa Rica by air, you can show proof with either a bus or plane ticket. 

The best way to cross to and from Panama is by bus. There is a public bus that runs back and forth from San Jose to the border (Sixaola is the town name) several times a day. It costs about $12 for a one-way ticket.

Note: We have a complete guide to the Costa Rica/ Panama border crossing including info on how to go to or from Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Costa Rica/ Nicaragua Border

If you are crossing from Nicaragua into Costa Rica you will need to go through the same process as it would be to enter from Panama. Make sure you have proof that you are leaving within 90 days.

We have a guide to the Costa Rica/ Nicaragua border crossing which will help you more with this process

Popular Towns for Backpackers

Backpacking Costa Rica - A First-Timers Guide

While backpacking through Costa Rica you will likely head to the places which are most easily accessible by public buses. 

The most popular places to visit for backpackers seem to be Monteverde, La Fortuna, Jaco, Santa Teresa, and Puerto Viejo

Monteverde

monteverde ficus tree

A small mountainous town in the cloud forest. It is always colder here than the rest of the country and you can almost guarantee that it will be raining. This is a great place for zip lining, repelling, hiking, and seeing wildlife.

La Fortuna

la fortuna waterfall

Home to the beautiful Arenal Volcano, this jungle destination is made for adventure. Here you can take a canopy tour, go rafting, hike the hanging bridges, swim under a waterfall, relax in a hot spring, and more!

Jaco

Backpacking Costa Rica - A First-Timers Guide

A popular beach town located only 1.5 hours from San Jose. This town is known for its nightlife scene and white sand beaches.

Santa Teresa

santa teresa beach

A relaxed surfing town that is only accessible by dirt roads. We love this town so much and highly recommend it.

Puerto Viejo

puerto viejo

The last big town on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica before the Panama border. This town is popular with surfers and people looking to enjoy some nightlife.

Although these are the places that have the most backpacker-ish vibe, that doesn’t mean you need to limit yourself to these places. 

Transportation In Costa Rica

car with beach view in Costa Rica

Typically we suggest that people rent a car while traveling in Costa Rica because it is definitely the easiest way to get around. However, car rentals aren’t exactly budget friendly.

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Backpacking Costa Rica - A First-Timers Guide

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The most affordable way to get around inside of the country is by public bus. The bus schedule is ridiculously confusing and comprehensive. 

If you have bus-related questions, I suggest joining the Costa Rica by Bus Facebook group

Keep in mind that some places are just complicated to get to. Everything seems to originate in San Jose but traveling between other locations can sometimes be a complex journey with multiple stops.

Also, we have seen people hitchhiking in Costa Rica, but I wouldn’t suggest it.

We often drive tourists if we see them looking to get back into the town they are staying in after visiting a nearby national park or something. However, with longer treks, I would be hesitant.

Suggested Costa Rica Itineraries for Backpackers

Backpacking Costa Rica - A First-Timers Guide

I created a few itinerary suggestions for you. Three are for those of you that only plan on visiting Costa Rica. The other itinerary is for those of you passing through Costa Rica while traveling between Panama and Nicaragua. 

These itineraries were created with ease of traveling by public bus in mind.

Itinerary for Just Costa Rica

playa hermosa beach

San Jose -> Jaco -> Manuel Antonio -> Uvita -> Puerto Jimenez -> San Jose

You could also easily add a stop in Dominical or Playa Hermosa to this route. With this route you can visit Manuel Antonio National Park in Manuel Antonio and the Corcovado National Park while in Puerto Jimenez.

San Jose -> Cahuita -> Puerto Viejo -> Bocas del Toro, Panama -> San Jose

This route will require you to cross the border into Panama if you want to go to Bocas del Toro. But, it is an amazing place to visit. I definitely recommend it!

San Jose -> La Fortuna -> Monteverde -> Santa Teresa (involves stopping in Puntarenas) -> Montezuma -> San Jose

La Fortuna and Monteverde are not far apart when you look at a map, but the bus route is rough. Plus, this is the one road I always get really car sick on. You probably don’t want to do this trip in the public bus.

I suggest taking a shared private shuttle for about $25. 

Itinerary for Costa Rica While Backpacking Central America

Tamarindo costa rica beach

I wrote this with the mindset that you would be starting on te Caribbean coast of Panama and heading to Pacific coast of Nicaragua, but just reverse course if going the other way.

Bocas del Toro, Panama -> Puerto Viejo -> San Jose -> Uvita -> Manuel Antonio -> Jaco -> Santa Teresa (involves a stop at Puntarenas) -> San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

With this route you can easily cut out Uvita, Manuel Antonio, or Jaco. The one downside of this route is that it does not involve visiting and mountainous jungle destinations such as La Fortuna or Monteverde. 

However, this route is easily done by bus without tons of crazy stops and waiting. 

Don’t forget to check out Centro Casting to figure out your exact bus schedule. 

How to Find Affordable Accommodations

samara costa rica hotel

Your best bet for finding cheap accommodations are hostels or VRBO.

Most hostels in Costa Rica are decent. Some include breakfast and most have a shared kitchen on site that guests can use. 

We also sometimes find really good deals through Airbnb. We like Airbnb for unique accommodations that often have a private kitchen. 

If you are interested in socializing with other backpackers and finding tons of fun activities to do, I suggest hostels.

Booking.com

If you would like a more private experience, Airbnb is probably a better choice. 

Just keep in mind that most hostels are located in the center of town which makes them easy to access after arriving by bus. Sometimes Airbnb’s tend to be a bit out of the downtown area.

Affordable Activities in Costa Rica

costa rica beach rain

We created a post of 20 fun free activities in Costa Rica which will help you find all the great free things to do. 

One of the best things to do for free in Costa Rica is to enjoy the beaches. All beaches in Costa Rica must have public access by law. This means that all beaches are free and accessible for you to visit. 

Packing Suggestions

dominical

We have a complete packing list for women and men. We also have Amazon packing lists for every single destination which will definitely help you out.

The number one piece of advice I have for you as a backpacker is that it is so humid here (and in the rest of Central America) that everything in your backpack will be wet all the time. 

Bring things that are fast drying to help some of that. Also, make sure to keep your plastic bags when at the grocery store. They are very helpful for storing wet clothes when you need to take them to your next destination.

There are laundromats throughout the country in all major towns if you need to clean your clothes. Also, some hostels provide a washer for guests to use. 

Our Backpacking Costa Rica Tips

-Stay at a place with a kitchen so you can cook your own meals.

-Eat at the small local restaurants called sodas. Here you can get the dish of the day (called a casado). This usually consists of a meat, rice, beans, salad, and sometimes plantains. It’s delicious! 

Usually you can eat a casado for about $5.

-Buy alcohol in Panama or Nicaragua and bring it in with you. You are allowed to carry in up to 5 liters. 

-Visit the local farmer’s markets (ask at your hostel when one is) for cheap produce.

-Skip the day tours if they seem pricey and visit places on your own.

-Skip the guides at national parks.

-Travel during the rainy season (May to November). Everything is cheaper during this time of the year and typically the rain isn’t bad. You will likely have an afternoon rain storm for an hour or two and then everything will clear up.

-Don’t book tours ahead of time. Most hostels partner with local companies and can get you a better rate.

-Ask at your hostel or VRBO what the employees favorite local activities are. They can give you a more local experience which is almost always cheaper.

Need any more tips for backpacking through Costa Rica or want to share your own experience? We’d love to hear from you in the comment section below! We are happy to help you out!

You Might Also Like:

Costa Rica Travel Details: What You Need to Know

🚗 Should I rent a car in Costa Rica?

Having a rental car will give you the most flexibility when traveling in Costa Rica. This will also allow you to take fun day trips on your own.

🏄🏽 How can I book things to do?

We find that Viator tends to have the most comprehensive selection of activities with secure booking and good cancellation policies.

🍍 I’m overwhelmed with planning. Can you help?

Of course! I suggest joining our Facebook group for specific questions and head to our Start Here Page to get started planning.

✈️ What is the best way to book a flight?

Usually, we have the best luck finding great prices with Skyscanner. Check for flights to both San Jose Airport (SJO) and Liberia Airport (LIR).

🛏️ What is the best way to book my Costa Rica hotels?

We highly suggest Booking.com for hotel bookings and typically use VRBO for Costa Rica vacation rentals.

🗣️What is the main language in Costa Rica?

The main language in Costa Rica is Spanish. Most people working in tourism speak at least some English.

💰 What is the currency in Costa Rica?

The currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). However, the US dollar is widely accepted in most tourist areas

📞 What is the best way to stay connected?

An eSIM from Airalo is the easiest way to get 4G data while traveling in Costa Rica.

🌴 Is Costa Rica safe?

Generally, Costa Rica is considered safe for tourists. However, like any travel destination, it’s best to use caution and be aware of your surroundings.

🛂 Do you need a passport to go to Costa Rica?

Yes, Costa Rica is its own country. You will need a passport to visit.

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3 Comments

  1. Hi! I was wondering if you suggest traveling with a backpacking backpack, or would a suitcase be ok for about 5 weeks in Costa Rica traveling via public transportation? Thank you so much!

    1. Hi Emily, If possible a backpack would definitely be easier. From the public bus, you will probably have to do some walking to wherever you are staying and the roads/ sidewalks are not always the best. In other words, trying to wheel a suitcase can be a total pain.
      Let me know if you have any other questions!

  2. Hey guys,

    I want to visit Costa Rica so much! I was assigned to write on the country this summer and it really opened my eyes to the natural beauty there… and it’s been on my wanderlust list ever since!!! Hopefully in the next few years…? Thanks for sharing.