Excellent thread and question. I'm making my first trip in September so obviously this is something I don't know for sure and have pondered myself. Of course plenty of variables in play that can easily change.
I'm trying to keep my adventure with budget in mind but, at the same time realizing its a vacation and I'm going to attempt having as good of a time as I can. Also, considering the travel costs involved to get to CR... Might as well enjoy yourself the best you can.
I'll be in town for 6 days/5 nights and am budgeting as follows:
Modern Wing Room @ SL (with green season promotion @ 20% off) about $80/night = $400 (give or take)
Food and Drinks: $100/day = $500 (thinking this is a high figure but better high then low)
Chica funds/fun money: $250/day = $1000 (also high but see above)
To/From transportation for airport: $50 (both ways)
Exit Tax: $28
Duty Free/SIM card/misc supplies: $100
Covers/Taxi around town: $75 (total guesstimate on this one)
So that works out to about $2153 (ok shouldn't be counting) and I'll try to allow for some overages and hopefully I'm not really forgetting anything.
Anything major I'm leaving out or should reconsider? Im hoping to have the kind of time that will make me weep when it's time to leave.
