Costa Rica’s stunning beaches, lagoons, mountains, flora and fauna are a draw card for tourism. Its fifty year dedication to sustainable energy, reversing deforestation and protecting the land with government owned parks and reserves makes it one of the world leaders in fighting global warming.
If you are considering moving to Costa Rica, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Costa Rica Facts:
- Population: 5,211,734 ( January 2023)
- Official Language:Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica.
- GDP Per Capita:US$6,428.24 (2021)
- Wildlife: There are over 500,000 species of wildlife in Costa Rica, 900 of which are birds. Costa Rica is home to 4% of the world’s species.
- Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC). As of 2023, CRC1= £0.0014, US$0.0017, €0.0016, $0.0023 (CAD), $0.0025 (AUD).
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Costa Rica
Here are some sample container shipping rates to Costa Rica from other countries around the world.
Also see the Best International Moving Companies in Costa Rica.
2. Costa Rica Housing Costs
Costa Rica has a good selection of property to buy or rent for both residents and non-residents. Prices are very affordable. Below are current rental and land prices for those considering moving to Costa Rica.
Monthly Rental Prices in Costa Rica
- 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre: CRC180,000 – CRC650,000
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the city centre: CRC144,877 – CRC350,000
- 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre: CRC350,000 – CRC1,000,000
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: CRC260,000 – CRC811,315
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in the city centre: CRC695,412 – CRC1,738,532
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the city: CRC460,789 – CRC1,193,281
Source: Numbeo
Costa Rica Housing Cost Comparison
Below are how rents in Costa Rica compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 103.0% more expensive
United States is 209.5% more expensive
Canada is 122.6% more expensive
Australia is 165.4% more expensive
France is 62.4% more expensive
Spain is 46.0% more expensive
Italy is 36.4% more expensive
Germany is 74.5% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Living with a flatmate or roommate is a great way to save money. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect flatmate or roommate: Iroom Mates, Erasmusu, EXPAT, and CoLiving.
- Different areas – different prices. Like all countries, renting in city centres and urban areas is relatively expensive compared with the suburbs and rural areas – just remember that renting and buying in Costa Rica is very affordable compared with most countries around the world. Tamarindo is the most expensive city, partly because it’s a big tourist destination. Cartago is the cheapest area to live in and is popular with expats.
3. Costa Rica Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Costa Ricans grow anything and everything. Small scale farmers sell their fresh produce at the many markets around the country and provide restaurants with fruit, veg, fish and meat. There are fine dining restaurants in the major cities, and restaurants serving tasty local fare are to be found everywhere. Note that menu prices do not include a compulsory 10% service charge and 13% sales tax.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: CRC3,000 – CRC9,000.00
- Domestic beer: CRC850.00 – CRC3,000.00
- Coke/Pepsi: CRC700.00 – CRC1,500.00
- 1L of milk: CRC560.00 – CRC1,250.00
- Loaf of Bread: CRC500.00 – CRC2,500.00
- 12 Eggs: CRC900.00 – CRC2,500.00
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: CRC2,300.00 – CRC7,000.00
- 1kg Beef: CRC3,900.00 – CRC9,500.00
- 1kg Apples: CRC1,000.00 – CRC3,890.00
- 1kg White Rice: 620.00 – CRC1,550.00
Source: Numbeo
Below is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries in the world.
- UKrestaurants are 0% more expensive and groceries are 1.3% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
- US restaurants are 6% more expensive and groceries are 49.5% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
- Canadian restaurants are 7% more expensive and groceries are 36.2% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
- Australian restaurants are 0% more expensive and groceries are 58.9% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
- French restaurants are3% more expensive and groceries are 38.4% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
- Spanish restaurants are 3% more expensive and groceries are 12.6% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
- Italian restaurants are 9% more expensive and groceries are 10.7% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
- Germanrestaurants are 2% more expensive and groceries are 8.8% more expensive than in Costa Rica.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Costa Rica has a good selection of supermarkets that sell local food and imported products from all over the world. There are many independently owned grocery stores and, of course, great street markets. Popular supermarkets with locals and expats in Costa Rica are Auto Mercado, Fresh, Mega Super, Super Compro, and Maxi Pali.
- Find Cheap Eats:Costa Rica has cafes all over the country, called ‘Sodas’, which sell plates of freshly cooked meat, beans, rice plus a salad for exceptionally low prices. Ask around for tips on where to eat at cheap prices. Also, have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Pura Vida Moms, Costa Rica Vibes, Trip Advisor, and Costa Rica.
4. Costa Rica Alcohol Costs
Guaro is Costa Rica’s answer to rum. It’s made from sugarcane but tastes more like vodka than rum. Costa Rica has been brewing its own beer since 1888 and now has a growing craft beer industry. Costa Rica isn’t known for its wine but Chilean and Argentinian wines are readily available. Drinking in bars, clubs and restaurants can be quite expensive so buying from stores is the best way to save money.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: CRC1,500 – CRC3,500
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: CRC850 – CRC3,000
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: CRC700 – CRC1,738
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: CRC750 – CRC2,318
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: CRC5,000 – CRC590.21
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Costa Rica
- Locally produced alcoholic drinks are more affordable than imported alcohol. Have a look online and in local papers and flyers to see who’s advertising specials on alcohol. Alternatively ask a local resident where they would suggest going for a cheap night out.
- Costa Rica’s restaurants and bars often have happy hour where you can buy 2 drinks for the price of one. Have a look at the following sites for tips of where to go to enjoy happy hour prices – Wander Away, Four Square, Stay in Tamarindo, and Leslie’s Travel Snacks.
5. Costa Rica Transportation Fares
Buses are the main form of public transport in Costa Rica. They run between all major cities and rural areas. They also have routes to Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. Bus transportation in Costa Rica is slow and not particularly comfortable, especially for long distance travel.
Air-conditioned shared shuttle buses are used a lot by tourists and expats. Interbus and Gray Line are the two major operators. It’s advisable to book in advance. Some areas are not accessible by road, so you’ll need to take a charter flight and/or a boat/ferry to reach these areas.
Below are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (Local transport: CRC350 – CRC650
- Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): CRC – C13,000 – CRC50,000
- Taxi start (normal tariff): CRC600 – CRC1,000
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff): CRC550 – CRC1,159
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport
- Taking a bus is cheap if you’ve got the time
- Book in advance to save money
- Taxis are an option for a group of people
- Cycling is also an option
6. Cost of Internet in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a good internet infrastructure and provides the second highest internet connectivity in Latin America. Below are a couple of examples of the monthly cost:
- Tigo Costa Rica– CRC18,174.96/Mo for 5 Mbit/s
- Kolbi– CRC6,750.70/Mo for Mbit/s
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Costa Rica has a tropical climate where the temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year. The average maximum temperature in the country is 31C and the minimum is around 22.7C. The dry season is from January to March. The wettest months are September and October especially in the mountain regions of Costa Rica. The average rainfall in San Jose is 2,585mm, increasing to 2,934mm in the mountains.
Below are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: CRC20,000 – CRC55,000
- Summer Dress: CRC15,000 – CRC42,817
- Running Shoes (Trainers): CRC15,000 – CRC42,804
- Business Shoes: CRC30,000 – CRC 80,000
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): CRC36,487
- Deodorant: CRC32,962
- Shampoo: CRC3,612
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): CRC1,689
- Gym membership per month: CRC15,000 – CRC50,000
- Movie (cinema) ticket: CRC3,000 – CRC5000
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Costa Rica
Buying a car in Costa Rica is a simple process. It’s a lot cheaper to buy locally rather than import your vehicle as import duty is high. You can drive on your home driving licence for up to three months after which you’ll need to get a Costa Rican licence. Wheelscr gives you detailed information on buying a car in Costa Rica.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and running a car in Costa Rica:
- Volkswagen Golf: CRC12,000,000 – CRC218,000,000
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):CRC605 – CRC1,050
- Other fees (if any):The average monthly cost of running a four seater car in Costa Rica is CRC572. This includes tax, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and average fuel use.
Source: Numbeo
Ways to save money driving in Costa Rica
- Carpooling is a great way to save money on transport, try Carpoolworld, Facebook and Pachepe.
- Taxis can be a cheaper option, especially if you are parking all day. Try Uberand ILT Costa Rica.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Costa Rica? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Costa Rica
Spending more than 183 days in Costa Rica means you are classed as a resident for tax purposes. Income earned from outside Costa Rica is exempt from tax. Residents and non-residents are taxed at a flat rate of 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% depending on their income.
Annual property tax is 0.25% of the property’s value. Transfer tax is 1.5% is usually split equally between the buyer and seller. Sales tax in Costa Rica is 13%. See Tax Summaries for detailed information.
10. Flight Costs from Costa Rica
If you do make the move to Costa Rica, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- London: CRC224,242
- Paris: CRC224,300
- New York: CRC98,418
- Toronto: CRC135.101
- Sydney: CRC906,933
- Madrid: CRC225,210
- Berlin: CRC224,887
- Rome: CRC224,650
Other Costa Rica Relocation Tips
The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Costa Rica. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Costa Rica Alone
Moving is always a stressful time but moving on your own can be exceptionally difficult. The stunning scenery, welcoming people and laid back lifestyle of Costa Rica will help you ease into your new life.
Here are a few tips about settling in Costa Rica.
- Meetups:You can join groups and clubs that enjoy your choice of fun activities through MeetUp – it’s a great way to make new friends.
- Attend local events: Costa Ricans love celebrations, both religious and secular. Attending these events will not only give you an insight into local culture, it’ll also give you the opportunity to meet new people. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Festivals in Costa Rica, World Packers , Festivals and Cultural Celebrations and Travel – US News
12. Moving to Costa Rica with a Family
Moving to a new country with a family is obviously stressful. Costa Rica is a natural kiddies playground so you rest assured your kids will absolutely love it. It’s a safe environment for children to soak up the flora, fauna and stunning coastline of this beautiful country.
- New parents (or parents-to-be): Joining groups of new parents or parents-to-be will give you the confidence you need to settle quickly into you new life. Have a look at the following sites to see which groups suit you –
- Live in a family-friendly area:Most of Costa Rica is family friendly and safe. Have a look at the following websites for suggestions on where to live in Costa Rica – Where to Live, Expats Costa Rica and Expats.
- Find things to do with the kids:Costa Rica has so much to enthral children. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – Lonely Planet, Family Destinations, Trip Advisor, Book Mundi and Travel Channel.
13. Moving to Costa Rica for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
Currently, Costa Rica has a need for experienced staff in the following sectors: tourism and hospitality, marketing, IT, education and healthcare.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges in different sectors in the country on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to find work: : If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Costa Rica, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start :LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, Glassdoorand Relocate World. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Costa Rica from Australia
A good number of Australians are working and living in Costa Rica. If you are considering moving from Australia to Costa Rica, below are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Australia is 151 times bigger than Costa Rica. The population of Australia is 25,890,773 whereas the population of Costa Rica is only 5,211,734.
- Join expat groups:Internations, MeetUp and Facebook offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Costa Rica.
15. Moving to Costa Rica from Canada
There’s a large group of Canadians enjoying life in Costa Rica. If you’re considering making the move from Canada and want to connect with fellow Canadians in Costa Rica, here are a few things to consider.
- Size:Canada is 195 times bigger than Costa Rica. The population of Canada is 38,929,902 whereas the population of Costa Rica is a mere 5,211,734.
- Expat groups:Meet fellow Canadians in Costa Rica through Internations and MeetUp.
16. Moving to Costa Rica from the United Kingdom
There are around 4,800 people from the UK living in Costa Rica. If you are thinking of moving from the UK to Costa Rica and want to connect with fellow Brits, then consider the following.
- Size: The UK is 4.8 times bigger than Costa Rica. The population of the UK is 68,730,050 whereas the population of Costa Rica is only 5,211,734.
- Expat groups:Meet fellow Brits in Costa Rica through Internations and MeetUp.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Costa Rica you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
English 
French 
German 
Italian 
Spanish 
Chinese 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Polish 
Bulgarian 
Czech 
Danish 
Dutch 
Estonian 
Finnish 
Greek 
Hungarian 
Latvian 
Lithuanian 
Romanian 
Russian 
Slovak 
Slovenian 
Swedish 
Turkish 
Korean 
Indonesian 
Norwegian 
Ukrainian