Costa Rica (CR)
Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy — a small, lush republic that abolished its army in 1948 and instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment.
Capital: San José
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: CRC (₡)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 48)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Costa Rica — 2026 data in CRC.
48
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Affordable compared to most Western countries. Good value for the quality of life offered.
Food & Groceries
Rice (1 kg, local brand) ₡1,100–₡1,500
Black beans (1 kg, dried) ₡1,200–₡1,800
Chicken breast (1 kg) ₡5,000–₡7,500
Ground beef (1 kg) ₡7,000–₡10,000
Tilapia / sea bass (1 kg) ₡5,500–₡9,000
Eggs (12 units) ₡3,200–₡4,500
Milk (1 litre) ₡1,100–₡1,500
Bread (local sandwich loaf) ₡1,800–₡3,000
Tomatoes (1 kg) ₡1,500–₡3,000 (seasonal)
Local produce (pineapple, bananas, mango) ₡500–₡2,000/each
Imported cheese (200g) ₡3,500–₡6,500
Local beer (6-pack PILSEN/Imperial) ₡4,500–₡6,500
Wine (imported, 750ml, mid-range) ₡9,000–₡18,000
Monthly grocery bill (single person, local diet) ₡160,000–₡250,000
Monthly grocery bill (couple, mixed local/imported) ₡300,000–₡500,000
Dining Out
Soda lunch (casado) ₡4,500–₡7,000
Fast food meal (McDonald's, Burger King) ₡7,000–₡12,000
Mid-range restaurant (per person, with drink) ₡15,000–₡30,000
Upscale restaurant (Escazú/Santa Ana, per person) ₡35,000–₡70,000
Coffee (café negro, local soda) ₡800–₡1,500
Coffee (specialty café, latte) ₡2,500–₡4,500
Fresh coconut water (pipa fría) ₡1,000–₡2,000
Beer at a bar (Imperial 355ml) ₡2,000–₡3,500
Rent
Studio/1BR in San José centre (unfurnished) ₡350,000–₡550,000/month
Studio/1BR in San José centre (furnished) ₡500,000–₡800,000/month
2BR apartment in San José suburb (Curridabat, Moravia) ₡500,000–₡850,000/month
2BR apartment in Escazú/Santa Ana (expat area) ₡750,000–₡1,300,000/month
3BR house in GAM suburb (unfurnished) ₡700,000–₡1,200,000/month
3BR house in Escazú/Santa Ana (upscale) ₡1,200,000–₡2,500,000/month
Beach town apartment (Jacó, Nosara, Tamarindo) ₡650,000–₡1,500,000/month
Heredia/Alajuela/Cartago (GAM, more affordable) ₡350,000–₡700,000/month (2BR)
Rural/smaller town (Atenas, Grecia, San Ramón) ₡250,000–₡500,000/month
Transport
Urban bus fare (San José) ₡400–₡900
Intercity bus (San José–Jacó) ₡2,500–₡4,000
Intercity bus (San José–Liberia) ₡5,500–₡8,000
Taxi (San José short trip, metered) ₡2,000–₡5,000
Uber (San José to airport ~20km) ₡10,000–₡18,000
Domestic flight (SJO–Quepos, Sansa) ₡42,000–₡94,000 one way
Monthly petrol budget (average driver) ₡90,000–₡160,000
Petrol (super, per litre) ₡1,000–₡1,200 (RECOPE regulated)
INCOFER commuter train (San José–Heredia) ₡470–₡950 per trip
Health & Insurance
CCSS voluntary insurance (asegurado voluntario) Variable monthly assessment based on declared economic capacity
CCSS payroll health/pension deductions (employee) About 10.83% of gross salary in 2026 before income tax
Private health insurance (comprehensive, 30-year-old) ₡70,000–₡160,000/month
Private GP visit (consultation) ₡25,000–₡70,000
Private specialist visit ₡50,000–₡120,000
Blood test (private lab) ₡15,000–₡40,000
X-ray (private) ₡20,000–₡60,000
MRI (private — CIMA/Clínica Bíblica) ₡250,000–₡500,000
Dental check-up + cleaning (private) ₡25,000–₡60,000
Emergency room visit (CIMA private) ₡150,000–₡400,000+
Utilities
Electricity (no AC, apartment) ₡25,000–₡50,000
Electricity (with AC, house) ₡80,000–₡200,000
Water (AYA, apartment) ₡8,000–₡20,000
Internet (cable fibre 100Mbps) ₡25,000–₡40,000
Mobile plan (unlimited data + calls) ₡15,000–₡30,000
LPG gas cylinder (25kg) ₡6,500–₡12,000 (lasts 4–8 weeks)
Childcare
CEN-CINAI public childcare (age 0–6) Free to ₡10,000/month
Private daycare / guardería (monthly) ₡120,000–₡280,000
International school tuition (GAM, per month) ₡400,000–₡900,000
Public school (tuition) Free (small fees for materials)
Babysitter / nanny (monthly) ₡200,000–₡400,000
Leisure
Gym membership (San José, decent chain) ₡30,000–₡65,000/month
Cinema ticket (Cinemark/IMAX) ₡4,500–₡8,000
National park entry (foreign national) ₡9,400–₡18,200
Surfing lesson (1.5 hours, Pacific coast) ₡25,000–₡50,000
Zip-line tour (Monteverde area) ₡31,200–₡62,400
Netflix / streaming subscription ₡8,000–₡18,000/month
Cost of Living
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