What’s the budget for living in Costa Rica? You’re probably asking yourself this question because the idea of enjoying the famous “Pura Vida” in San José or another Costa Rican city appeals to you. This little Central American paradise is attracting more and more expatriates, charmed by its biodiversity, heavenly beaches and pleasant climate. The cost of living in Costa Rica is relatively low, and Foyer Global Health offers you a comprehensive guide to what you need to budget for when moving there.
Overview of the average cost of living in Costa Rica in 2024
The cost of living in Costa Rica for one person is €1,300 on average, and €3,800 for a family of four. This budget includes all costs, including housing, medical care, shopping, monthly services and travel.
In comparison, life in Costa Rica is less expensive than in most parts of Western Europe, but purchasing power is twice as low.
| Services | Prices |
|---|---|
| Average monthly salary | 880€ |
| Price of renting a downtown apartment | 670€ |
| Purchase price of a downtown apartment | €2,100 / m2 |
| Petrol (1L) | €1.40 |
| One-way fare on local transport | €0.10 |
| Monthly mobile package | Between €18 and €45 |
| GP consultation | €60 |
Currency and exchange rates in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s official currency is the Costa Rican colón – plural colones – abbreviated CRC, symbolized “₡” and named in honour of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón). The country’s inhabitants can use 25, 50, 100 and 500 CRC coins, as well as 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 CRC bills.
In Costa Rica, it is also possible to pay in US dollars, which are accepted in most establishments, especially in San José.
Currently, 1 USD is equivalent to 513.84 CRC and 1 EUR is equivalent to 556 CRC (index of October 25, 2024).
Accommodation in Costa Rica
Property prices in Costa Rica are affordable compared with neighbouring countries or Western Europe. Here are the average prices in major cities (San José, Puerto Limon, San Francisco …):
To rent a property:
- Downtown one-bedroom apartment: CRC 200,000 to 720,000 (EUR 360 to 1,300)
- One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: CRC 160,000 to 450,000 (EUR 300 to 800)
To buy a property:
- Price per m2 downtown: CRC 600,000 to 2,000,000 (EUR 1,080 to 3,600)
- Price per m2 outside the city centre: CRC 400,000 to 1,140,000 (EUR 720 to 2,050)
Additional housing costs
Monthly charges (electricity, water, heating, air conditioning, etc.) are added to the rental or purchase budget. For an 85 m2 apartment, this budget averages 41,000 CRC (74 EUR) per month. Include also into your calculations:
- The price of electricity per kWh at 90,880₡ (0,163€)
- The price of gas per litre at 744₡ (1.35€)
Food prices in Costa Rica
Groceries account for around 32% of the monthly budget of expats moving to Costa Rica. Here’s an overview of staple food prices (in Euros):
| Food | Average price in Costa Rica |
| Bread (500 g) | €2.80 |
| Dozen eggs | €3.15 |
| Cheese (1 kg) | €7.70 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | €8.80 |
| Red meat (1 kg) | €12 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €2.60 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €2.50 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €2.47 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €1.45 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €4.20 |
| Milk (1 L) | €1.80 |
| Water (1,5 L) | €2.20 |
Transportation in Costa Rica
Buses are the main means of transport in Costa Rica, with urban and intercity routes available at fares ranging from CRC 200 to 400 (EUR 36 to 72). Trains are also widely used to get around the country. Here are the prices quoted by Incofer (Costa Rica’s railway institute) for a one-way ticket:
- San José to Cartago: 705 CRC (1.30 EUR)
- San José to Heredia: CRC 545 (EUR 0.98)
- Curridabat to Pavas: 635 CRC (1.15 EUR)
Cabs are also available, starting at CRC 910 (EUR 1.70). For drivers, the price of fuel is CRC 770 (EUR 1.40) per litre.
Health costs in Costa Rica
| Medical services | Average price in Costa Rica (in euros) |
|---|---|
| Consultation with a general practitioner | €60 |
| Consultation with a specialist | €90 |
| Consultation with a gynaecologist | €65 bto €90 |
| Delivery in a private hospital | Between €4,150 and €5,500 |
| Ultrasound and X-ray | Between €50 and €100 |
According to the world ranking of healthcare systems (Statista 2023), the Costa Rican healthcare system ranks 30th. The government devotes part of its annual budget to improving medical infrastructures and the public health system, which is compulsory for all inhabitants (native or foreign).
Expatriates thus have access to reliable medical care. For additional coverage, many people choose to take out international health insurance. This allows them to bypass the limitations of the Costa Rican public health system, notably the sometimes long waiting times, and to have the freedom to choose their medical establishment and doctor.
Education in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s education system is based on public, private and semi-private schools. The average cost of a private international school is CRC 5,000,000 (EUR 9,000) per year.
Parents can also choose to give their child a bilingual or trilingual education, via a French-speaking establishment such as the Lycée Franco-Costaricien de San José. Here are the monthly fees for the 2024-2025 school year:
- Kindergarten: CRC 359,600 (EUR 650
- Primary and secondary school: 294,100 CRC (530 EUR)
Telecommunications services in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, telecommunication services are offered at all price levels by several operators. To give you an idea, here are the average prices to expect:
- Monthly mobile package (calls + 10 GB data): 12,800 CRC (23 EUR)
- Internet subscription (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data): 26,500 CRC (47.50 EUR)
Leisure activities in Costa Rica
- Visit the Espiritu Santo coffee plantation: CRC 24,500 (EUR 44) for two adults.
- Discover the Irazú volcano: CRC 1,000 (EUR 1.80) per adult and CRC 500 (EUR 0.90) per child under 12.*
- Visit the La Fortuna waterfall: 9,230 CRC (16.60 EUR).
- A day at Manuel Antonio Park with its white sandy beaches: CRC 9,230 (EUR 16.60) per adult and CRC 2,900 (EUR 5.20) per child.
- Visit Costa Rica’s national theatre: 4,000 (7.20 EUR) admission.
- Go to the cinema: 4,000 (7.20 EUR) per ticket.
- Take out a gym membership: 29,000 CRC (52 EUR) per month.
- Enjoy a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant: 30,000 CRC (54 EUR).
Cost of living in Costa Rica compared with neighbouring countries
According to the latest statistics from Numbeo, the cost of living in Costa Rica is the highest in Central America. Here are the countries’ cost-of-living indices (2024):
- Costa Rica: 53.6
- Belize: 48
- Panama: 47.4
- Mexico: 43.8
- El Salvador: 41.1
- Guatemala: 37.7
- Honduras: 37.3
- Nicaragua: 33.6
However, Costa Rica comes 3rd in terms of purchasing power, behind Belize and Mexico.
Compared to Panama
Life in Costa Rica is 6% more expensive than in Panama, but purchasing power is also 12% higher. However, housing is more expensive in Panama (comparison in euros):
- The price of renting an apartment (1 bedroom) in Panama costs between EUR 550 and EUR 750, compared with EUR 480 to EUR 680 in Costa Rica.
- The price per m2 is EUR 1,480 in Panama, compared with EUR 1,260 in Costa Rica.
Compared to Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the Central American country with the lowest cost of living. Whereas in Costa Rica, a person needs a monthly budget of EUR 1,300 to live, in Nicaragua this budget is around EUR 800.
Although all expenditure items are lower in Nicaragua, Costa Ricans enjoy twice the purchasing power.
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