costa-rica

Prices and Cost of Living in Costa Rica

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Costa Rica. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 13.91 EUR to 21.53 EUR

Transportation

from 1.45 EUR to 2.03 EUR

Sightseeing

from 3.69 EUR to 4.15 EUR

Accommodation

from 20.00 EUR to 22.22 EUR

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 39.05 EUR to 49.93 EUR

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 5 April 2025.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 21561 CRC (39.05 EUR) to 27568 CRC (49.93 EUR). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 62695 CRC (114 EUR) to 78767 CRC (143 EUR). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Costa Rica. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 6.84 EUR to 11.66 EUR

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 8.55 EUR to 14.76 EUR

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 5 April 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Costa Rica?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 3777 CRC (6.84 EUR) to 6438 CRC (11.66 EUR) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 4721 CRC (8.55 EUR) to 8149 CRC (14.76 EUR) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 5 April 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Costa Rica

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Costa Rica, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country. City: San José.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)4.44 EUR
Banana (1kg)1.16 EUR
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)11.96 EUR
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)13.58 EUR
Chicken Fillets (1kg)7.96 EUR
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)4.26 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)2.07 EUR
Eggs (regular) (12)2.88 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)2.75 EUR
Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre31.66 EUR
Lettuce (1 head)1.02 EUR
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)1.97 EUR
Local Cheese (1kg)7.82 EUR
Milk (regular), (1 liter)1.76 EUR
Onion (1kg)2.57 EUR
Oranges (1kg)1.88 EUR
Potato (1kg)2.09 EUR
Rice (white), (1kg)2.19 EUR
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre12.80 EUR
Tomato (1kg)2.47 EUR
Water (1.5 liter bottle)1.97 EUR

Food and beverage prices in Costa Rica

Popular food products found on store shelves in Costa Rica include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 1420 CRC (2.57 EUR) for a kilo of onions to 6606 CRC (11.96 EUR) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1208 CRC (2.19 EUR) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 1086 CRC (1.97 EUR) per half kilo. Bananas cost 642 CRC (1.16 EUR) per kilo, while apples cost 2454 CRC (4.44 EUR) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 1089 CRC (1.97 EUR). Dairy prices in Costa Rica, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 973 CRC (1.76 EUR), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 4316 CRC (7.82 EUR). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 4394 CRC (7.96 EUR) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 1593 CRC (2.88 EUR), and the average price of tomatoes is 1362 CRC (2.47 EUR) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)2.93 EUR
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)1.75 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)2.63 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)4.53 EUR
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)8.15 EUR
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course52.58 EUR
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant10.16 EUR
Water (0.33 liter bottle)1.60 EUR

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Costa Rica vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 1617 CRC (2.93 EUR), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 965 CRC (1.75 EUR). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 4500 CRC (8.15 EUR) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 29030 CRC (52.58 EUR). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 5612 CRC (10.16 EUR).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)35.39 EUR
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)0.72 EUR
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)6.40 EUR
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)1.40 EUR
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)1.18 EUR

How much does transportation cost in Costa Rica?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 400 CRC (0.72 EUR), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 19542 CRC (35.39 EUR). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 650 CRC (1.18 EUR), along with a per-kilometer charge of 771 CRC (1.4 EUR).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L1.05 EUR
Gasoline 1L1.26 EUR

Fuel prices in Costa Rica

Average fuel prices in Costa Rica are 698 CRC (1.26 EUR) per liter of gasoline and 579 CRC (1.05 EUR) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat7.24 EUR
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult54.74 EUR
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)27.40 EUR

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre678 EUR
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre433 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre1 330 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre857 EUR

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Costa Rica?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Costa Rica varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 239217 CRC (433 EUR) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 374555 CRC (678 EUR) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 1174920 CRC (2128 EUR) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre2 128 EUR
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre1 324 EUR

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)810 EUR

Hotel Prices in Costa Rica

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
3
46.20 EUR
Lolas
14
45.49 EUR
Hotel el Descanso
35
88.28 EUR
Costa Rica Guesthouse
7
166 EUR
Urban Green Hotel & Suites
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices for products and services in San José. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 09/2022, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs costa rica

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