Editorial Standards & Cost Verification Policy

How we verify bus fares, SINAC park rules, hostel amenities, and tour inclusions across Costa Rica.

1. Total-Cost Transparency

We never evaluate a hostel or tour by its headline sticker price alone. Our guides account for Costa Rica's 13% IVA tax, SINAC national park online ticket fees, Zone 1 vs. Zone 2 hostel pickup rules, equipment rentals, and local taxi tradeoffs.

2. Dated Cost Benchmarks

All daily budget estimates and transit fares are dated (October 2026 benchmark: ~₡515 CRC = $1.00 USD) so readers know the exact assumptions behind every number.