Yes, you really can stay in the "Airplane Suite" for $400 per night in Costa Rica

There are many options outside of staying in a traditional hotel that will give you a better experience by bringing you closer to the culture.

1)     Stay with Family, Friends, or Even Friends of Friends

How?  Use the biggest network in the world - Facebook !  I think you’ll be surprised at how your FB request will be answered by your friends and family.  You want a local connection right?  But, you don’t want a to meet a complete stranger.  So, meet friends of friends,  or locals “in the know” for any city around the world in which you wish to travel.

The next thing you know, you’ll be staying with your cousin’s best friend’s former classmate from University in London, Paris, Tokyo, Rio, Los Angeles, Sydney, etc…                        And, the experience provides more than free accommodation, as it may end up being one of your best times around the world !

2)     Stay with Locals
Couchsurfing   (click)   —   FREE Accomodation     (Over 2 million Current Members)
Global Freeloaders   (click)  —   FREE Accomodation
SERVAS.org   (click)

3)     Work on a Farm, Ranch, Lodge, Hostel, and even Sailboats
WWOOF   (click)  – Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms  - WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
HelpX    (click)  –  ”In a typical arrangement, the helper works an average of 4 hours per day and receives free accommodation and meals for their efforts.”

4)     Rent a Home or an Apartment
Otalo     (click)     (Start Here – like Kayak, searches several sites with one click)
Airbnb   (click)                                                                                                                 Wimdu   (click)                                                                                                            Craigslist   (click)
RentVillas   (click)                                                                                                              Local Newspapers

Ask The Locals                                                                                                                       — >   Rock up to a Hotel or Hostel – Stay for a Week or so and ask the locals how they found their apartment.  (Tip – ask them to call to inquire about the prices so that you get the right, local price and not the inflated “Gringo (Foreigner) Price”)

Best Sleep of My Life in a Hammock Overlooking the Caribbean for $10 per night !

5)     Hostels                                                                                                                      Hostel World  (here)                                                                                               Hostelbookers  (here)                                                                                                 Hostels.com  (here)
HiHostels  (here)

6)     Hotels
Hotels.com (here)                                                                                                    Expedia.com (here)
Priceline.com (here)
Travelocity (here)
Kayak (here)