Short-Term Stays in Costa Rica
From budget hostels to luxury eco-lodges, Costa Rica has a huge range of short-term accommodation options. Knowing when to book, what type suits your trip, and which platforms to use can save you significant money and frustration.
When should I book accommodation in Costa Rica?
For high season (December–April), book at least 2–3 months in advance — especially around Christmas, New Year, and Semana Santa (Holy Week). Popular properties in beach towns sell out completely. For the green season (May–November), last-minute deals are often available, and many properties offer discounts of 20–40% off high-season rates.
Types of Accommodation
Hotels & Boutique Hotels
Costa Rica has a wide range of hotels from international chains (Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham) in the Central Valley to small boutique properties in every corner of the country. Mid-range hotels ($80–$180/night) typically include breakfast, WiFi, and air conditioning. Boutique eco-lodges often command premium prices but offer unique jungle or beach settings.
Airbnb & Vacation Rentals
The most popular choice for families, groups, and longer stays. Vacation rentals give you kitchen access and more space. Quality varies enormously — read recent reviews carefully and verify the exact location on a map. Monthly discounts (30–50% off nightly rates) make Airbnb competitive for stays of 3–4 weeks.
Hostels
Found in every tourist area, Costa Rican hostels range from party-oriented to quiet social spaces. Dorm beds typically run $15–$30/night; private rooms $40–$80/night. Most include free breakfast, WiFi, and a communal kitchen. Popular among solo travelers and budget backpackers. Hostelworld and Booking.com have the best selection.
Guesthouses & B&Bs
Family-run casas de huéspedes and B&Bs are common throughout Costa Rica and offer some of the best value. Typically $50–$120/night including breakfast and sometimes dinner. The personal service and local knowledge from owners can be invaluable. Many are found through direct contact or local Facebook groups rather than major booking platforms.
Surf Camps
Costa Rica is a premier surf destination and surf camps are plentiful, especially in Tamarindo, Jacó, Dominical, Nosara, and Santa Teresa. Packages typically include accommodation, meals, daily surf lessons, and board rental for $100–$250/day. Many offer weekly packages with significant discounts. Ideal for dedicated surf trips or beginners wanting structured learning.
Eco-Lodges & Nature Retreats
One of Costa Rica's specialties — lodges built within or adjacent to rainforests, cloud forests, or wildlife corridors. Prices range from $120 to $500+/night but often include wildlife-guided tours, meals, and transport. Arenal, Monteverde, Osa Peninsula, and Tortuguero have outstanding options. Book well in advance for peak season.
Price Ranges by Region
Approximate nightly rates in USD for mid-range accommodation during high season (December–April). Green season rates are typically 20–40% lower.
| Region / Area | Budget | Mid-Range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| San José / Central Valley | $25–$50 | $70–$140 | $150–$300 |
| Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Sámara, Nosara) | $40–$70 | $100–$200 | $220–$500+ |
| Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio) | $35–$65 | $90–$180 | $200–$450+ |
| Southern Pacific (Uvita, Ojochal, Dominical) | $30–$60 | $80–$160 | $180–$400+ |
| Arenal / Northern Zone | $30–$55 | $80–$160 | $180–$400+ |
| Monteverde / Cloud Forest | $35–$60 | $90–$170 | $200–$400+ |
| Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo) | $20–$45 | $65–$130 | $150–$280 |
Booking Tips
Book Early for High Season
December 15 – April 30 is high season. Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week before Easter) and Christmas–New Year are the absolute peak — top properties are fully booked months in advance and prices are at their highest. If you're traveling over these dates, book as early as possible.
Green Season Value
The rainy season (May–November) offers the best value. Mornings are typically sunny, with rain in the afternoons. Crowds are dramatically lower, wildlife viewing (especially sea turtle nesting) is excellent, waterfalls are at peak flow, and rates drop by 20–40%. Traveling in September or October offers the deepest discounts.
General Booking Tips
- Always verify the exact map location of a property — descriptions like 'beachfront' can mean 200m from the water.
- Read recent reviews (within the last 3 months) — Costa Rica's humidity means properties can deteriorate quickly.
- Ask about air conditioning — not all properties have it in beach areas, and it matters at lower elevations.
- Confirm whether breakfast is included — this affects the effective price significantly.
- Check the cancellation policy carefully before booking, especially for peak season.
- For remote areas (Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero, Monteverde), confirm road access during your travel dates — some roads flood in rainy season.
- Booking direct with a property (after finding it on a platform) often saves 10–15% on booking fees.
- For beach stays, ask about security — petty theft from rental properties does occur.
Popular Areas by Trip Type
Beach & Relaxation
Tamarindo (dry, developed, good nightlife), Nosara/Sámara (quieter, wellness focus), Manuel Antonio (beach + national park), Uvita (off-beaten-path, whale watching), Puerto Viejo (Caribbean vibe, cheapest beaches).
Adventure & Wildlife
La Fortuna/Arenal (volcano, hot springs, zip-lining), Monteverde (cloud forest, canopy tours), Osa Peninsula (Corcovado — most biodiverse place on Earth), Tortuguero (sea turtles, boat canals).
Surfing
Tamarindo (beginner-friendly, consistent), Jacó (most accessible from SJO), Dominical (powerful waves, intermediate+), Nosara (Playa Guiones — excellent right-hand beach break), Puerto Viejo (Salsa Brava — expert only).
City & Culture
San José (museums, nightlife, day trips), Heredia (colonial charm, university town), Cartago (historic capital, Basílica de los Ángeles), Liberia (Guanacaste gateway with its own airport).
Extended Stays: 1–3 Months
If you're staying one to three months, you're in a grey zone between vacation rental and long-term rental. Several options work well depending on flexibility and budget.
Monthly Airbnb Discounts
Most Airbnb hosts in Costa Rica offer monthly discounts of 30–50% off the nightly rate. For a property listed at $100/night, the monthly discounted rate might come to $1,500–$2,100/month — a significant saving. Always negotiate directly with the host if the discount shown isn't competitive.
For stays over 28 days, Airbnb's policies shift: guests have more legal protections and hosts cannot evict without notice. Both parties should be aware of this.
Furnished Monthly Rentals
Many landlords (especially in Escazú, Santa Ana, and beach towns) offer furnished apartments on month-to-month or 3-month lease terms specifically targeting digital nomads and short-term expats. These are commonly found through Facebook groups.
A furnished 1-bedroom in Escazú or Santa Ana typically runs $900–$1,500/month all-in (utilities included). Beach towns vary widely: $800–$1,800/month depending on location and season.
Digital Nomad Visa
Costa Rica's Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista Digital) allows remote workers earning $3,000+/month to live legally in Costa Rica for up to two years. If you're planning a multi-month stay, it's worth exploring this route rather than visa runs. See the Residency page for details.
Booking Platforms
Airbnb
The dominant platform for short-term vacation rentals in Costa Rica. Well-represented in all tourist areas and major cities. Also increasingly used for extended stays (30+ days) with monthly pricing discounts.
Monthly discount rates on Airbnb can be 30–50% off the nightly rate. For stays over 28 days, the platform shifts to a long-term stay format. Always verify the neighborhood location on a map before booking — descriptions can be vague about exact distances.
VRBO
Vacation rental platform popular for whole-home bookings. Strong selection in beach areas like Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, and Jacó. Often better for larger group or family rentals than Airbnb.
VRBO (owned by Expedia) has fewer Costa Rica listings than Airbnb but can surface unique properties not found elsewhere. Service fees tend to be lower for direct host bookings.
Facebook Marketplace & Groups
The single most important resource for finding housing in Costa Rica. Both short-term and long-term rentals are heavily advertised on Facebook. Region-specific groups (e.g., 'Expats in Costa Rica', 'Housing in Escazú', 'Rentals in Tamarindo') are where locals and expat landlords post listings first.
Key groups to join: 'Expats in Costa Rica', 'Costa Rica Expats', 'Housing & Rentals Costa Rica', and area-specific groups for wherever you are moving. Many landlords post here before anywhere else. Exercise normal caution — verify addresses and meet in person before paying any deposit.
Encuentra24
One of the most used classified listing sites in Central America, with a significant Costa Rica real estate and rental section. Listings cover rentals and sales from both individuals and agencies. The interface is in Spanish but manageable with basic translation tools.
Good for finding listings from local landlords and small agencies. More authentically local than international platforms. Prices are often quoted in USD for expat-targeted properties. Useful for gauging realistic market rates in specific areas.
CRHomes
A Costa Rica-focused real estate portal listing properties for rent and sale. Primarily targets the expat and foreign investor market. Includes listings from licensed real estate agencies and individual owners.
One of the better English-language resources for the Costa Rica property market. Good for getting a sense of long-term rental and sales prices across regions. Listings tend to be mid-range to high-end.
OLX Costa Rica
A general classifieds platform (similar to Craigslist) widely used in Costa Rica for buying, selling, and renting. Has a real estate section with apartments and houses for rent, mostly from private landlords. Listings are primarily in Spanish.
Better for budget rentals and finding listings from local landlords who aren't targeting the expat market. Prices are often listed in colones rather than USD. Good for discovering what local Ticos actually pay for housing.
Craigslist Costa Rica
Craigslist's Costa Rica section has a housing listings area that is actively used, particularly in the expat community. Both short-term vacation rentals and long-term unfurnished apartments are posted here.
Most useful for the Central Valley (San José, Escazú, Heredia) and established beach towns. Still used by expat landlords who prefer its simplicity. Apply standard Craigslist caution — verify all properties in person before any payment.
Local Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents (corredores de bienes raíces) are essential for navigating the Costa Rica property market, especially for buying. For rentals, agents typically handle mid-range to high-end furnished properties. Note that Costa Rica does not have a mandatory licensing requirement for real estate agents — use agents affiliated with CCCBR (Cámara Costarricense de Corredores de Bienes Raíces) when possible.
Agent fees for rentals are typically paid by the landlord (one month's rent commission is standard). For property purchases, buyer's agents are less common — most agents represent the seller. Always use a licensed Costa Rican attorney (abogado/notario) separately for any purchase transaction regardless of agent involvement.
Safety Tips for Short-Term Stays
- Research the neighborhood before booking — Google Maps Street View and recent travel blog posts can reveal a lot.
- Check that the listing has a verified host badge and reviews from the past few months.
- For Airbnb, never pay outside the platform — use the Airbnb payment system for all transactions.
- Ask the host which supermarket, pharmacy, and clinic is nearest — basic local knowledge signals a helpful host.
- Do not leave valuables visible in a parked car, especially in beach town parking areas.
- Use the property's safe or lockbox for passports and electronics when leaving.
- In beach towns, lock up when swimming — theft from bags left on the beach does happen.
- For remote jungle or mountain locations, confirm emergency contact procedures and nearest hospital distance.