Cheap holidays to Costa Rica

Holidays to Costa Rica come with all the trimmings on the cheap

Just 11 hours are between you and your delightfully cheap holiday to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a supremely green destination where the numbers matter – rich in plant and animal species, it contains an astonishing 5% of the world’s biodiversity. To keep it safe, about 25% of its land is protected, making it the highest percentage of its kind in the world.

But where the numbers are low is what really counts – we’re talking about holiday costs, of course. Most of Costa Rica’s biggest draws – national parks, rainforests and more beaches than you’ll know what to do with – are either totally free or dirt cheap to visit. Come during the rainy off season from May to mid-November, and you’ll find low prices with which other popular holiday destinations just can’t compete.

Much of your holiday to Costa Rica will revolve around getting outdoors, a feat made easy by the country’s wealth of beautiful beaches. Playa Tamarindo, Playa de Matapalo and Playa Flamingo each have a set of shores to call their own, all of which come with their own unique, albeit very scaled-back vibes. Playa de Matapalo nestles up against lively Coco Beach, while just outside Playa Tamarindo, nature escapes filled with exotic animals and birds await.

Cheap days out in Costa Rica

You won’t have trouble hanging onto your purse strings in Costa Rica, mostly because the best amenities in this country are largely free. That means saving a penny here and there is a piece of cake – you don’t need to fork out cash to lounge out on the beaches or head out for hikes in the dense vegetation.

Playa Tamarindo rests just outside the Marino Las Baulas National Park, explorable on foot, by bike or even ATV and kayak ride. Bird watchers will especially want to pop in, as this expansive park is home to more than 150 feathered species. For chilled out holiday vibes, Playa Flamingo does the trick with its tranquil white sand half-moon bay. The same goes for El Jobo, whose main activity involves stretching out on the beach or heading out into the waves with snorkelling gear to observe the sealife below.

Other cheap holidays to take a look at

If it’s a cheap holiday you’re after, but you still aren’t sure where you’d like to go, we can help point you in the right direction. Try looking at similarly beachy destinations with a rugged edge like Sri Lanka or some place closer to home like the Canary Islands or the Balearics. But if you’ve got your sights set on Costa Rica, have a look at our travel guide for more information on this tropical haven. In the meantime, here are our top hotels for a cheap holiday to Costa Rica.

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Esplendor Tamarindo

This 4* hotel oozes all the sleekness of a spa resort and comes complete with everything you’ll need for your holiday in the sun – a massive pool scene, a buffet restaurant and free shuttle buses to nearby hotspots. We’re talking the Langosta Beach Club, where you’ll have exclusive access to the restaurant and pool, and also to central Tamarindo. That’s where you’ll find the city’s popular beach along with seaside snack huts and restaurants.

Riu Guanacaste Hotel

The pool scene is the real show stopper at this seaside hotel, with its curvy and lake-like design and sunbed lining. Choose from four restaurants plus a swim-up bar, not to mention activities like windsurfing, paddle surfing and scuba diving lessons in the pool. The hotel is stashed alongside the waterfront, but if you want to jaunt off to vibrant Coco Beach, you’re looking at a 20-minute cab ride.

Dreams Las Mareas

This Zen-heavy property is hidden away in the middle of stunningly green mountains, equipped with a private beach and an incredible eight restaurants. If you want to get away from it all, look no further. You’ve got two swimming pools on offer here, plus cooking, cocktail, dance and Spanish lessons, yoga, beach football and snorkelling. There are kids’ clubs too, not to mention an on-site nightclub and weekly beach parties.