I like to add up the cost of trips, and track them for myself. I also share here, in case it's of interest.
Photo of the beach at our hotel, for visual interest.
Expenses for the trip:
- Two business class tickets from San Francisco to Costa Rica - covered using credits from previously cancelled Turkey trip & travel credits. One of the reasons we planned this trip was to use these credits before they expired.
- Six nights at an all inclusive hotel - free with Hyatt points
- Tips during the trip - $200
- Cash left for my parents to spend on food, etc - $500
- Cost of my parents flights from Portland to San Jose - $60 (the rest was covered with miles)
- Hotel charges (this was a massage for me, and two nicer bottles of wine) - $374
- Airport purchases: local treats for the boys + rum for my dad & a drink for myself - $22.50
- Excursion for two to the rain forest, waterfalls & hot springs - $290
- Cost for parking at the SFO airport during our trip (priced out, and cheaper than Uber) - $126
- Transportation to & from the airport in Costa Rica to our hotel - $134
Total spent = $1706.50. My original estimate was $1260. Transportation was a bit more than expected, and we hadn't factored in tipping, which was a miss. The massage & wine were also unplanned (but enjoyed!)
How do you track your travel planning expenses?
That looks like Playa Conchal! That was my Costa Rican stomping grounds. I loved everything about Costa Rica. -Meg B.
ReplyDeleteCosta Rica was incredible! We loved all of it. (HP)
DeleteWay to go leveraging points and credits. Al and all, you did great considering you also covered home expenses for your parents.
ReplyDeleteStarting next year, we won't have the expenses associated with having my parents here with the boys. They are super sad that April is their last trip to come & "supervise", as they've enjoyed the dedicated time with the boys so very much. They will still plan to visit, of course. (HP)
DeleteStill an amazing bargain! I'm behind on reading posts, so I'm going to catch up to read about your trip! That one picture alone looks so amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a great trip! We had a lot of fun. (HP)
DeleteStill you did very well using credits, points and air miles.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks! We loved the trip. (HP)
DeleteBeautiful photo! We don't do much traveling, but definitely plan and budget when we do.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it really helps me enjoy the traveling more when I know what to expect, how we will pay for it, etc. (HP)
Delete