Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon

For one person, living costs are similar in Medellin and in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: $1,639 and $1,632 a month, rent and utilities included.

Medellin, Colombia
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, Costa Rica
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,632
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $1,632 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $1,632

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $2,532 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $2,532

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $3,432 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $3,432

Medellin and Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Medellin and Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon by 20%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 25.6K
$12.18 ₡5,500
-33.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 148.9K
$43.30 ₡19.5K
8.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.1K
$10.95 ₡4,944
-13.24%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,540
$3.88 ₡1,752
-22.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,693
$2.42 ₡1,094
-25.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,469
$1.82 ₡823
-22.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.0K
$3.21 ₡1,447
-0.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.2K
$4.10 ₡1,849
40.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,778
$2.00 ₡902
-24.50%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,524
$3.07 ₡1,386
-22.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,606
$2.44 ₡1,101
-27.46%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,146
$3.08 ₡1,390
-6.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.2K
$6.46 ₡2,915
57.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.2K
$7.56 ₡3,412
30.56%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 44.3K
$14.18 ₡6,400
-1.34%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.6K
$2.72 ₡1,226
45.96%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 4,911
$1.11 ₡501
39.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,907
$1.30 ₡587
67.69%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,910
$1.71 ₡773
27.49%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,210
$2.66 ₡1,199
-26.32%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,029
$2.02 ₡911
-21.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,625
$0.65 ₡292
76.92%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,934
$1.93 ₡869
-35.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.5K
$3.22 ₡1,452
22.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 43.3K
$15.19 ₡6,859
-9.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,252
$2.89 ₡1,306
-42.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,145
$3.53 ₡1,594
-35.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,696
$1.35 ₡611
-13.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 244.8K
$43.19 ₡19.5K
79.14%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,013
$1.76 ₡793
-27.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,480
$1.60 ₡723
28.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.1K
$8.83 ₡3,986
-3.17%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,262
$1.51 ₡680
-10.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 107.8M
$34.1K ₡15.4M
0.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 109.7M
$41.6K ₡18.8M
-16.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 536.8K
$94.8 ₡42.8K
79.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 42.9K
$35.25 ₡15.9K
-61.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 88.8K
$33.45 ₡15.1K
-16.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 138.3K
$67.7 ₡30.6K
-35.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 54.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 21.9K
$7.57 ₡3,420
-8.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.5M
$987 ₡445.4K
-19.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 28.8M
$17.4K ₡7.9M
-47.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 268.1K
$65.2 ₡29.4K
29.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 183.4K
$26.77 ₡12.1K
116.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 427.1K
$99.1 ₡44.7K
36.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 309.7K
$54.5 ₡24.6K
79.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.8M
$890 ₡401.6K
35.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.0M
$703 ₡317.2K
-8.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.4M
$2,029 ₡915.9K
-0.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.2M
$1,387 ₡626.3K
-27.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.0M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$998 ₡450.6K
-34.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
8.62
26.91%

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

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$703 9.5% $61
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$296 0.3% $0.9
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$163 22.6% $48
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$218 28.6% $48
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$110 34.6% $59
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$58 37.6% $35
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$83 44% $25

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $890 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 52% higher in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $43 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $296 – making Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇨🇷 Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
🕒 Local time
05:35 5:35 AM
04:35 4:35 AM
1 h behind Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 3,164 COP (10,000 COP = 3.16 USD). 1 EUR = 3,531 COP (10,000 COP = 2.83 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon 1,210 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Medellin vs Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $2,448 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $890 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $43 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $797 per month in Medellin and $987 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $3,000 enough for either Medellin or Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,639 in Medellin and $1,632 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city suits remote workers better?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon costs $1,632 versus $1,639 in Medellin. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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