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Cost of Living in Atenas - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $799 (excluding rent), and $1,328 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,715 (excluding rent), and $3,204 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.75 ₡4,274
$4.86 ₡2,374
$21.39 ₡10.4K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.5 ₡25.7K
$40.4 ₡19.7K
$101 ₡49.3K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.99 ₡4,880
$9.99 ₡4,880
$19.97 ₡9,754
Cappuccino
$3.75 ₡1,832
$1.98 ₡969
$6.91 ₡3,374
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 ₡962
$1.52 ₡743
$3.88 ₡1,895
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 ₡770
$1.16 ₡566
$2.9 ₡1,417
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3 ₡1,467
$2.01 ₡980
$6.02 ₡2,939
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.53 ₡2,215
$2.89 ₡1,413
$7.73 ₡3,775
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.05 ₡1,001
$1.52 ₡742
$2.83 ₡1,385
White Bread (500g)
$2.79 ₡1,362
$1.22 ₡597
$4.5 ₡2,199
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.96 ₡957
$1.76 ₡861
$3.92 ₡1,915
Eggs
$2.89 ₡1,410
$1.94 ₡948
$4.65 ₡2,273
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₡4,818
$3.94 ₡1,927
$19.71 ₡9,631
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.81 ₡4,303
$4.95 ₡2,417
$12.67 ₡6,190
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.23 ₡4,508
$4.71 ₡2,300
$15.7 ₡7,671
Apples (1kg)
$3.95 ₡1,931
$2.76 ₡1,349
$5.93 ₡2,897
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 ₡743
$0.62 ₡301
$2.46 ₡1,201
Oranges (1kg)
$2.34 ₡1,146
$1.95 ₡954
$5.86 ₡2,861
Tomato (1kg)
$2.25 ₡1,099
$2.04 ₡999
$8.18 ₡3,994
Potato (1kg)
$3.32 ₡1,624
$1.76 ₡860
$6.85 ₡3,345
Onion (1kg)
$2.43 ₡1,186
$2.02 ₡988
$4.62 ₡2,258
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97 ₡473
$0.84 ₡411
$1.95 ₡951
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.86 ₡1,396
$2.17 ₡1,062
$3.45 ₡1,687
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.3 ₡2,587
$4 ₡1,954
$5.6 ₡2,734
Wine (Bottle)
$17.46 ₡8,531
$10.28 ₡5,021
$30.82 ₡15.1K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.41 ₡1,179
$1.64 ₡800
$3.07 ₡1,500
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35 ₡1,148
$2.03 ₡994
$5.47 ₡2,674
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.98 ₡967
$0.8 ₡389
$1.98 ₡967
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.87 ₡912
$1.42 ₡693
$2.03 ₡992
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.84 ₡899
$1.39 ₡681
$2.39 ₡1,170
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.92 ₡3,870
$7.1 ₡3,468
$8.99 ₡4,390
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.4 ₡684
$1.29 ₡632
$1.5 ₡732
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.2K ₡18.6M
$37.1K ₡18.1M
$40.4K ₡19.7M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5K ₡15.9M
$32.5K ₡15.9M
$34.7K ₡17M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.6 ₡46.2K
$52.1 ₡25.5K
$180 ₡88.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.45 ₡12.4K
$17.59 ₡8,591
$87.9 ₡43K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.4 ₡23.2K
$30.26 ₡14.8K
$84.7 ₡41.4K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.69 ₡19.9K
$39.37 ₡19.2K
$43.31 ₡21.2K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.06 ₡4,917
$8.05 ₡3,933
$10.11 ₡4,941
Cinema Ticket
$8.4 ₡4,106
$6.92 ₡3,382
$14.84 ₡7,250
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$573 ₡280K
$401 ₡195.9K
$932 ₡455.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,876 ₡2.9M
$5,876 ₡2.9M
$19.2K ₡9.4M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.5 ₡31K
$40.42 ₡19.7K
$121 ₡59.2K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.5 ₡24.2K
$39.6 ₡19.3K
$69.3 ₡33.9K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$121 ₡59.2K
$90.8 ₡44.4K
$151 ₡73.9K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 ₡51.7K
$48.99 ₡23.9K
$196 ₡95.7K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$539 ₡263.3K
$490 ₡239.4K
$588 ₡287.3K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$402 ₡196.4K
$362 ₡176.7K
$804 ₡392.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,362 ₡665.2K
$1,041 ₡508.5K
$1,571 ₡767.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,130 ₡552.1K
$884 ₡432.1K
$1,376 ₡672.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,235 ₡603.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.17
8
15

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Atenas - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atenas, Costa Rica a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other parts of the country?
Compared to big cities and coastal hotspots, Atenas offers a balanced everyday cost without sacrificing access to shops, cafes, and reliable internet. You’ll find a practical mix of affordable local eateries and mid-range options for groceries, utilities, and services. For longer stays, many expats negotiate favorable housing terms, especially outside peak tourist months. Cost of Living in Atenas, Costa Rica tends to hover in the mid-range for the region, making it attractive if you value a quieter town feel with quick access to larger centers. Seasonal shifts bring small price bumps in peak months, but you can plan around local rhythms. Tip: Prioritize a central neighborhood with a short commute to workspaces and markets.
What does daily life look like here in terms of housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
Starting a housing search here is about geography and vibe. In the town center you’ll find compact apartments close to markets and cafés; hillside areas offer cooler air and sweeping views but longer commutes. Expect a mix of older rentals and newer builds; negotiate lease terms for utilities and furnishings. For food, local markets and weekly fruit stalls keep fresh options affordable, while restaurants range from simple lunch spots to stylish cafes. Transport is practical: reliable bus routes, walkable towns, and rideshares or scooters for longer distances. The Atenas, Costa Rica living cost comes into play as you balance home base with daily errands and coworking needs. Tip: Save time by prioritizing housing near markets and transit, and check coworking spaces that fit your work routine.
How would you frame quality of life and budgeting to fit Atenas, and what neighborhood fits best?
Quality of life here rewards a slower pace, green spaces, and easy access to day trips. A simple budgeting frame helps you stay flexible: prioritize housing and groceries, set aside funds for occasional activities, and keep a buffer for travel or coworking days. Seasonality affects crowds and outdoor options more than prices, so plan outdoor activities around the dry and rainy patterns. Neighborhood fit matters: choose a central enclave for easy errands, or a hillside area for quieter mornings and views; assess Wi-Fi reliability if you work remotely. Tip: visit neighborhoods at different times and ask locals about safety and commute times.

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