Can Costa Ricans afford to see Costa Rica?

Question

I was wondering, is the average Costa Rican able to afford to see some of the natural beauty of their own country? I'm asking because I remember I was in Peru and we went to Machu Picchu, and the admission was around 60$ or so (with ride up) and I thought to myself... "Wow, this is made so much for tourists that the average Peruvian will probably never be able to visit the most popular destination in their own country and one of the most beautiful in the world," and so that made me very sad. So I'm just wondering, are Costa Ricans able to experience their own country? I know Costa Rica isn't a third-world country like Peru, but I'm still wondering because I hope they are! (able to see their own country)

Answer 1

Some Costa Ricans are probably too poor to travel much, but a lot of them probably can.  National park admission was only a dollar or so for locals.  The buses are cheap- when I was there you could cross the country from coast to coast for $5.  And the hotels that cater to locals or backpackers are cheap - I remember paying as little as $3.50 for a basic but clean bed.  Now, at Costa Rican wages these are not the super-bargains that they would be for Americans, but its within reach for a lot of them.

Answer 2

Yes the Costa Ricans can afford to "see and visit" their country - but since the American Real Estate Companies have gone to Costa Rica and inflated the property values there by buying up property for a pittance - then trying to re-sell it for a hundred times its actual worth - the Costa Ricans for the most part now can not afford to buy any property in Costa Rica because of this!

Very sad indeed!

Answer 3

Costa Rica Citizens get special entry fee to all parks and driving around the country is quite cheap in terms of gasoline consumption. Hotels normally give super special off season prices to locals. I saw a local paying about 25% of the room rate.

Answer 4

I was born here and I've lived here all my life. I consider myself an average Costa Rican and I've never had a problem visiting this paradise! It's awesome!

Answer 5

It depends!!! I am costa rican and some museums or nat'l parks have a special price for nationals, but if I wanna go to the some beach, things are different. Once I went to Tamarindo for vacations, and when I went to a restaurant, I paid more than $20 just for a salad and a drink!!! I never realized that a "Soda" have that kind of prices... After that, EVERY PLACE I go, it doesnt matter if it looks humble or fancy, I ask the prices first! jajaja. Also, my aunt tried to buy a property in Nosara, near my grandpa's house, and it was REALLY but REALLY expensive.

I went to Peru once, to Macchu Picchu, and it was shocking to see how government discriminate their own citizens, but well, that's their culture. Also, the prices they have on the top of the mountain than the prices there are on Aguas Calientes impressed me!...

Returning to Costa Rica, THANKS GOD, that here were are not in that level.. Even though... If I want to go to some beach or to someplace... it's a little bit hard...