Plenty of expats, immigrants, and digital nomads have found a second home in Costa Rica, enjoying its beautiful natural landscapes, affordable lifestyle, and welcoming local culture.
At Remitly, we’re here to help support you if you’re embarking on an international move. In this post, I’ll break down what to expect as you prepare a move to Costa Rica, including how to budget for your new lifestyle in this tropical paradise.
A friend of mine spent some time living in Costa Rica. She stayed in the beautiful surf town of Santa Teresa for a month, and told me that she found the cost of living to be comparable to Austin, Texas, where she lived for four years. “Groceries and dining out aren’t cheap,” she told me, “but they’re worth it for the chance to experience such a chill, rejuvenating lifestyle.”
The local currency in Costa Rica is the colón, but costs throughout this article are represented in US dollars.
Housing costs
In Costa Rica, the real estate market offers a huge variety of housing options—and prices vary considerably. You can research the market through online platforms like RealEstate.com, but we’re highlighting some of the average costs below.
Renting a property
If you’re looking to rent a property in a central location, you can expect to pay about $700-1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, you might consider living in a less central location, where one-bedroom apartments range from $350-600 per month.
If you’re dreaming of living in a luxury rental, the monthly rent creeps up towards $2,000 or higher.
Cost of homeownership
Like anywhere else, the cost of homeownership in Costa Rica is affected by location, property size, and amenities, among other factors. At time of writing, and according to Numbeo, purchasing an apartment in the city center costs about $232 per square foot. If you opt for a property outside of the center, you’ll benefit from a cheaper cost: about $130 per square foot.
Utilities
You have to be a fully legal resident of Costa Rica in order to register for utilities. As a result, the most common setup is for utilities to be in the landlord’s name. You’ll probably be asked to pay utilities one month behind. Expect to pay about $100-150 per month for everything–about $50 for electricity, $10 for water, and $30-50 for internet.
Food and groceries
In Costa Rica, the cost of food can vary considerably based on your preferences, shopping and eating habits, and location. As it’s an island nation, costs will also vary depending on if a product is locally produced or imported.
Dining out
Though prices have been rising over the last few years, eating out in Costa Rica is generally still cheaper than many other tourist destinations. If you’re spending mindfully, you can eat out for about $10-20 per day. To eat out on a budget, consider enjoying food from street vendors and “sodas,” which are small, family-owned restaurants that serve local foods.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for luxury, there are plenty of options at well over $50 per head in fine dining restaurants.
Eating in
In general, you can expect to pay about $150-200 each month for groceries as a single person. Costa Rican blogger, Samatha, from Mytanfeet recently wrote that “groceries are usually the biggest chunk of our budget.” She also reported the expected costs of a few common items. Weights and prices are approximate because Costa Rica uses the metric system:
- 30 eggs—$8
- 2 lb boneless chicken breast—$6.50
- 2 lb of fresh tomatoes—$4.50
- 2 lb of white sugar—$1.25
- 1 loaf of white bread—$2.50
- 1 quart of milk—$2.20
Local versus imported goods
Many items in Costa Rican grocery stores are imported from the US, and therefore cost more than local products—oftentimes, up to twice as much. So if you’re looking to save money, consider buying local brands.
Healthcare costs
You can’t talk about healthcare in Costa Rica without mentioning the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) or “the Caja,” which is the body that manages the public healthcare system. There are private alternatives, too.
Public versus private
The Caja covers citizens, permanent residents, and expats or long-term visa holders once they’re registered for residency. The Caja is mandatory for long-term residents, and you register at the local office closest to your place of residence
Many expats choose private health insurance to ensure shorter wait times, increased access to specialists, and more English-speaking medical providers. There are plenty of online resources that help you understand the registration process for the Caja and also your options for private healthcare. There are plenty of options to choose from including Cigna, Bupa, and Allianz. You could pay anything from $100 to $1,000 per month, depending on the plan you choose.
Out-of-pocket expenses
The Caja is funded by monthly contributions that are deducted from the paychecks of participants. These contributions—not payments at the point of service—fund the public healthcare system in Costa Rica. This means that you’ll have no out-of-pocket expenses to access care through the Caja, including medical procedures, hospital visits, appointments, and prescription drugs.
Private insurance, though, typically involves making out-of-pocket payments or copays at the time that you receive care. These out-of-pocket expenses are usually around $50-70 per visit depending on what type of medical service you need.
Transportation
Getting around the island is usually most conveniently done by car. However, there are public transportation options available if you want a greener way to get around.
Public transportation
The largest network of public transportation in Costa Rica is the bus system, which is well-developed and connects the different cities. Taking the bus is a budget-friendly option for anyone looking to travel on more economically or avoid renting or buying a car. There’s an excellent—though unofficial—online resource for understanding the bus system in Costa Rica.
Bus fares are typically paid in cash, but longer routes sometimes accept payment by debit or credit card. Short trips are often less than $1, while longer trips are $5-15.
Owning a car
You might be surprised to find out that owning a car in Costa Rica involves a legal process similar to owning a house. Costs involve taxes, registration, and import fees if you’re bringing a car from outside the island.
In general, and assuming nothing really expensive needs replacing, owning a car in Costa Rica will cost at least $500 per year, including mandatory registration fees and insurance. Gas costs about $5.25 per gallon.
Transport alternatives
Currently, there’s a very inexpensive commuter train connecting San Jose and Herida, and shared and private shuttle options exist as an alternative to buses. Finally, taxis are common and generally cheap compared to the ones back home.
If you want to get around like a local, especially in beach towns, take a bike. In fact, there are often so many bikes on the roads to the beautiful beaches of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo that it can be difficult to drive. In San Jose, there’s a bike share program called OMNiBicis. Prices start around $1 per rental and increase based on time and distance traveled.
Recreation, education, and other expenses
Now we’ve covered the essentials, let’s discuss some of the stuff you can actually choose to spend your money on.
Entertainment, gyms, and leisure activities
Costa Rica’s natural beauty provides plenty of scope for communing with nature. Surf lessons, ziplining, and other adventures will cost about $30-$100 per person. If you’re more interested in nightlife, you can expect to spend about $2-8 for a beer or $5-8 for a cocktail.
Life in Costa Rica is pretty active. You’ll probably find yourself walking, swimming, biking, and hiking on an everyday basis. However, if you’d like to supplement your activities with a formal gym membership, you can expect to pay about $50-80 per month.
Private school tuition
Private tuition is a major expense for any family with children. Depending on the type of school you’re looking for and your child’s grade level, you could pay anywhere from about $5,000-15,000 annually. International schools or schools with specific curriculum focuses are typically more expensive than others.
Miscellaneous expenses
If you’re working out your monthly budget in Costa Rica, don’t forget things like:
- Mobile phone plan: about $12/per day or $100/per month
- Manicure: $10-40
- Haircut: $20 for men, $75 for women
- Cup of coffee: $3-6
In terms of clothing, expect to spend more than you would in a mainland country, like the US. These higher costs are the result of import taxes, sales taxes, and the informal “tourist tax,” which is the common expectation that things will be more expensive in areas with high tourism.
There’s a tipping culture in Costa Rica, at least in the tourist areas. It’s not mandatory, but tipping around 10% is common at restaurants, spas, and other service settings. This may not apply in locals-only spots where tourists aren’t usually found.
Comparing regional costs across Costa Rica
As I’ve said already, many expenses depend on location and can vary. This particularly depends on whether you’re in an urban area, a touristy beach town, or a rural location.
Urban areas
City centers, like San Jose or Escazu, are going to be the most expensive areas to live in Costa Rica. This additional cost will be felt most in accommodation and dining out.
Beach towns
Although beach towns don’t always offer the same amenities as urban areas, they’re a major draw for tourists. So these areas can be more pricey as well. Tourism will drive up the cost of housing and dining in popular beach spots like Tamarindo and Jaco.
Rural areas
Rural areas are the best option for budget-conscious expats. You’ll have a lower cost of living in general in less central locations. There is a drastic drop in rent and housing costs and you’ll spend less on food, especially if you shop at local markets.
Budget examples for expats
To sum all this up, here are some sample budgets for life in Costa Rica as a single person.
Modest: rural life—$860 per month
Ideal if you’re on a tight budget and you’re willing to live in a more rural area, travel by bike and bus, and avoid luxuries like eating out and extra expenses.
- Rent: $350
- Utilities: $100
- Groceries: $150
- Private healthcare: $150
- Transportation: $10
- Miscellaneous: $100
Comfortable: living like a local—$1,325
For a full life in a rural, beach, or urban location without breaking the bank. The costs of some small luxuries, like eating out occasionally or joining a gym, are factored into this option.
- Rent: $550
- Utilities: $150
- Groceries: $200
- Private healthcare: $200
- Transportation: $25
- Miscellaneous: $200
Luxury: the finer things—$3,100
This total accounts for more expensive accommodation and luxuries like weekly restaurant meals, a few cocktails, some taxi trips, and buying imported groceries.
- Rent: $1,500
- Utilities: $450
- Groceries: $300
- Private healthcare: $300
- Transportation: $50
- Miscellaneous: $500
As you build your budget for your move to Costa Rica, take comfort in the fact that the country is suitable for people of different levels of income. Good luck with the move!
FAQs:
Is Costa Rica an affordable place to live compared to the U.S. or Europe?
Yes, in many areas, particularly away from San José and touristy zones, Costa Rica offers a lower cost of living than the U.S. or Western Europe.
What are the cheapest and most expensive areas to live in Costa Rica?
The pricier areas include the capital San José and tourist areas like Escazú, Tamarindo, and Nosara. For more affordable regions, try more inland or rural spots like Grecia, Atenas, San Ramón, or Pérez Zeledón.
Is it possible to lower my utilities costs?
Absolutely—by using water-saving devices, switching light bulbs to LEDs, and buying the most energy-efficient appliances you can afford. These are great for the environment and can also reduce your bills.