4 Ways to Budget While Studying Abroad in 圣荷西, 哥斯达黎加 

While it’s worth every penny spent, studying abroad can be a bit pricey. I studied abroad in 哥斯达黎加 and I think I finally perfected my spending habits while there. 当然, I made some financial decisions prior to arriving, but here there are several things that arise that I evaluate. Here’s how to spend the least amount of money while still exploring and having a great time. 

1. Stay with a Host Family 

在我看来, living with a homestay is definitely the better housing arrangement while living in 哥斯达黎加. This may be completely biased because of the love I have for my Mama Tica, but there definitely are a great amount of benefits. Each day I’m provided with breakfast and dinner, leaving me to only find lunch for myself. I go to the store a couple times a month to grab some sandwich supplies for a quick, 便宜的, and sustainable meal in between classes. The homestays are a short walk to campus, saving money on transportation.  

I found they overall tend to just be a 便宜的er option than living individually in an apartment, and have so many perks. I’m truly able to immerse myself in the culture, and have the amazing blessing of not having to worry about dishes, laundry and cleaning like I do at home. It’s truly an amazing experience and allows me to live like a local and improve my Spanish! 

The delicious and thoughtful breakfast my Mama Tica made for me on Valentine’s Day. 

2. Take the Bus as Main Means of Transportation 

在 圣荷西, walking is a very accessible means of transportation. There are very few times I need to take an Uber, but even so, the average Uber here costs about $4. On the weekends, though, when we travel to a different region of 哥斯达黎加, we take a bus. There are other methods of travel, like a private shuttle, rental car or even plane in some cases, but those can be quite expensive. Buses are most definitely the way to go in 哥斯达黎加.  

There are bus stations all over, and they can take you to pretty much any destination in the country. 例如, the closest beach to 圣荷西 is Jaco, and it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to get there. I went two weekends ago, and it only cost me $6 round trip. You heard that right—only $3 for a one-way ticket. For a seven-hour bus trip to Tamarindo, it was only $12 one way. The buses are quite an economical and practical way of traveling. 

My roommate Amari and I at the bus station communicating about when we'll get home. 

3. Stay in Hostels 

Once you take that bus ride to your destination, you obviously need a place to stay. 哥斯达黎加 has endless lodging options, but my recommendation is to stay in a hostel. I spent anywhere from $15-$25 for a night in a hostel. Depending on your comfort level, I suggest staying in the room with the most beds, as it tends to be the 便宜的est!  

Besides the prices, hostels are great to stay in because of the people you can meet. I met people from all around the world and heard the most interesting stories! This is one of my favorite aspects about traveling abroad. Hostels also often have kitchens where you can cook any meal you desire, allowing you to save money by buying groceries versus going out. 

The beautiful and scenic hostel that my friends and I stayed at in 《宝博体育》. 

4. Take Advantage of the Free Activities 

哥斯达黎加 is one of the most active countries in the world, and it’s not because they spend all of their time in the gym. The ticos and ticas are naturally so active because of the environment they are in. It’s truly not necessary to spend money on a gym membership here—I haven’t and I feel as if I’m in the best shape of my life. I walk to school and through the city, I attend the free yoga classes offered at my school, and I 徒步旅行在国外 through the mountains. Always make sure to check out the free fitness classes your university offers! Most of my weekend adventures consist of me doing something active like 徒步旅行 or some sort of adventurous sport.  

My friend Ebony and I on a hike through the Miravalles Volcano! 

While these are some specific tips and trips, my overall advice is to plan your budget out prior to your arrival. Figure out how much per week, month, or overall you can spend on things like food, 周末旅行, and various wants. This saves you a lot of stress during your time abroad, and your bank account will thank you later! 

The amazing sunset in Jaco that I spent $6 to go to and $20 to stay at. 

亚莉克莎兰伯特 is a Spring '24 东航卡帕 Content Creator studying abroad in 哥斯达黎加.