Both Costa Rica and Mexico end up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer depends on what you're optimising for. Here is how they compare on the things that actually decide it: what a day costs, how safe each rates, when to go, and what each one is genuinely good at.
| 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily cost | ~€70 | ~€50 |
| Safety score | 78/100 | 65/100 |
| Best time to go | Winter, Spring | Winter, Spring |
| Climate | Tropical | Tropical, Dry |
| Best for | Nature, Adventure, Beaches | Beaches, Culture, Cities, Nature |
| Suits | Couples, Groups of friends, Families, Solo travellers | Solo travellers, Couples, Groups of friends, Families |
| Budget level | Mid-range | Budget, Mid-range |
On-the-ground spending only — flights aren't included, and they often matter more than the daily rate.
| Trip length | Costa Rica | Mexico | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A long weekend (3 days) | ~€210 | ~€150 | €60 |
| One week | ~€490 | ~€350 | €140 |
| Two weeks | ~€980 | ~€700 | €280 |
🇨🇷 Costa Rica. Rainforest zip-lines, sea turtle nesting beaches and 25% of the country protected as national park.
🇲🇽 Mexico. Caribbean turquoise, Mayan ruins, tacos on every corner and incredibly warm people.