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Cost of living in Costa Rica

Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in Costa Rica, simply select your home currency and see the difference!

All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020

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Food Price in ₡
12 eggs dozen, large 12.50 CRC
1 beer pint in local shops, markets 7 CRC
1 kg of tomatoes 8.50 CRC
Full chicken 2kg 38.75 CRC
1litre 100% fruit juice 8.50 CRC
1 package of cigarettes imported brands 25 CRC
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 7.50 CRC
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 48.95 CRC
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola 0.95 CRC
1 Bread loaf standard 9.50 CRC
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml 12 CRC
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna 18.50 CRC
Heinz baked beans 1 tin 8 CRC
1.5 kg Sugar 10 CRC
2 liter cooking oil 20 CRC
Yum-yum noodles per pack 2.00 CRC
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 5.50 CRC
1 liter milk 8.50 CRC
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away 25 CRC
Housing
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat 165 CRC
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month) 145 CRC
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether) 58.50 CRC
House Cleaning fee per day 105 CRC
Large Gas heater price range upwards. 200 CRC
Original branded Electric Fans 200 CRC
Original branded Electric kettle. 120 CRC
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set 2000 CRC
Single bed Blankets 120 CRC
Personal Care
Avon for women and men cologne 100 CRC
Ladies hair plaiting. 60 CRC
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons) 18 CRC
Men's haircut 40 CRC
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses 24.50 CRC
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages 65 CRC
1 month of gym subscription. 105 CRC
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone) 90 CRC
Unisex Loris perfume 30 CRC
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price. 100 CRC
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards 1000 CRC
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards 3000 CRC
Entertainment
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks 120 CRC
Go carting 30mins 120 CRC
Movie House 3d cinema 30 CRC
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket) 15 CRC
Photo shoot 120 CRC
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee 12.50 CRC
3 course dinner local restaurant two people 96.50 CRC
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people 150 CRC
Play station 4 console without games. 2000 CRC
Spalding Basketball 200 CRC
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls 500 CRC
Transportation
Taxi fare on average 5-10km 45 CRC
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare 30 CRC
1 liter petrol/diesel 6.50 CRC
1 day rent a car cost 140 CRC
Driver’s license 2300 CRC
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar) 150 CRC
1 pair of men’s formal shoes 215 CRC
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 280 CRC
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) 135.79 CRC
Ladies formal shoes original and durable 120 CRC
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance) 150 CRC

Living in Costa Rica gives you the freedom to spend almost as little or much as you opt; while many things are inexpensive, North American-style luxuries can add up.

Despite this fact, life in Costa Rica is generally less expensive than an equivalent lifestyle in the United States, Canada or Europe, as many students will happily attest. In Costa Rica spending might be much less on day-to-day expenses than in some countries.

Cost of living, of course, depends on lifestyle. But in many ways Costa Rica is much more affordable than back home. Let’s take you through!

Monthly Budget

Those interested in simple living should budget between $1500 or less monthly. Generally, this budget allows for bus rides and the occasional taxi, big trips to the farmers' market and a few restaurant meals each month.

While you can choose to live in relative luxury, employing full-time housekeepers, commuting by car, enjoying exquisite homes and consuming imported goods such lifestyles can easily amount to $3000 or more monthly.

Housing

Rents in rural areas and select urban areas hover around $300-$600 for a well-furnished apartment or small home. At this price, renters can expect Costa Rican-style amenities, which may include line-drying laundry and bathrooms equipped with electric shower heads.

A lavish three-bedroom home near San Jose complete with granite countertops, Jacuzzi bathtubs and hot water heater linger at approximately $1500 monthly, and can cost much more.

Food and Security

Food costs in Costa Rica largely depend on personal preferences. At a moderately-priced sit-down restaurant, a salad, main course and glass of wine will cost $14-20 per person.

At sodas, the Costa Rican version of the neighborhood mom-and-pop, a full meal plus natural fruit drink will only run you $3-$4. For those who enjoy cooking at home, groceries run the price gamut, and depend heavily on whether you consume imported or local goods.

For example, an exhaustive trip to your local farmers' market will cost $20-40, and can offer you a small family with the fruits, vegetables, meats and fish necessary for a week’s worth of meals.

Goods and Services

Remember that as a rule of thumb, services and labor are inexpensive, but many goods are more expensive than back home. In other words, a housekeeper may charge $2 per hour, but a new car can cost almost twice as much as in the United States.

(Used cars can be bought for only slightly more than their North American equivalents). Gas and diesel are expensive here, usually costing $1-$2 more per gallon.

Entertainment

The extra money spent on transportation is easily recouped in entertainment costs; trips to museums, outdoor concerts and street fairs generally run less than $5 per person.

Most concerts and traveling shows cost the same as in other countries. For outdoor entertainment, Costa Rica’s extensive park system, wildlife adventures and gardens will satisfy any nature adventurer.