Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Playa del Coco Cost of Living Comparison Between Nosara and Playa del Coco

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,712 per month in Nosara vs $1,758 in Playa del Coco, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,637 per month in Nosara vs $2,661 in Playa del Coco, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,562 per month in Nosara vs $3,565 in Playa del Coco, rent included.

Nosara is about 3% cheaper than Playa del Coco, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Nosara and Playa del Coco sit above the global median – Nosara by 28%, Playa del Coco by 31%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.04 ₡5,023

$16.19 ₡7,366

-31.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.5 ₡27.5K

$79.2 ₡36.0K

-23.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.09 ₡3,226

$10.21 ₡4,646

-30.56%

Cappuccino

$3.89 ₡1,769

$7.09 ₡3,224

-45.13%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₡715

$2.39 ₡1,085

-34.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 ₡530

$1.94 ₡884

-39.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.94 ₡1,338

$3.21 ₡1,461

-8.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.71 ₡2,141

$6.01 ₡2,736

-21.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.47 ₡668

$2.48 ₡1,128

-40.73%

White Bread (500g)

$2.81 ₡1,280

$2.85 ₡1,295

-1.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 ₡1,021

$2.21 ₡1,006

1.81%

Eggs

$2.94 ₡1,339

$2.90 ₡1,318

1.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.78 ₡3,085

$8.67 ₡3,945

-21.80%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.03 ₡4,108

$12.78 ₡5,815

-29.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.62 ₡6,195

$13.42 ₡6,103

1.49%

Apples (1kg)

$2.05 ₡930

$4.58 ₡2,085

-55.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 ₡665

$1.51 ₡687

-3.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 ₡1,899

$4.38 ₡1,993

-4.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.51 ₡688

$1.63 ₡741

-7.36%

Potato (1kg)

$3.44 ₡1,566

$3.46 ₡1,573

-0.58%

Onion (1kg)

$3.19 ₡1,451

$2.94 ₡1,336

8.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.96 ₡435

$0.95 ₡434

1.05%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.42 ₡1,099

$2.92 ₡1,327

-17.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.61 ₡2,097

$5.06 ₡2,300

-8.89%

Wine (Bottle)

$21.01 ₡9,558

$16.84 ₡7,659

24.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.41 ₡1,094

$2.18 ₡991

10.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85 ₡1,295

$2.58 ₡1,172

10.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 ₡436

$1.16 ₡525

-17.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65.5 ₡29.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.80 ₡818

$2.90 ₡1,319

-37.93%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 ₡841

$1.84 ₡836

0.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.77 ₡3,533

$7.77 ₡3,532

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 ₡582

$1.91 ₡868

-32.98%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$32.4K ₡14.7M

$37.2K ₡16.9M

-12.73%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$32.2K ₡14.7M

$32.5K ₡14.8M

-0.74%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$95.5 ₡43.4K

$172 ₡78.0K

-44.36%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.09 ₡11.9K

$25.70 ₡11.7K

1.52%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.42 ₡21.6K

$60.6 ₡27.5K

-21.68%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.8 ₡26.3K

0.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.56 ₡10.7K

$24.19 ₡11.0K

-2.60%

Cinema Ticket

$10.18 ₡4,629

$10.12 ₡4,603

0.59%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$442 ₡201.2K

$519 ₡235.9K

-14.70%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.5K ₡4.8M

$12.8K ₡5.8M

-18.16%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.6 ₡23.0K

$61.9 ₡28.1K

-18.25%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.4 ₡23.4K

$52.2 ₡23.7K

-1.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.2 ₡32.8K

$126 ₡57.1K

-42.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.4 ₡32.0K

$107 ₡48.7K

-34.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$770 ₡350.4K

$752 ₡342.1K

2.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$733 ₡333.3K

$595 ₡270.8K

23.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,500 ₡682.4K

$1,544 ₡702.1K

-2.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,290 ₡586.7K

$955 ₡434.3K

35.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,047 ₡3.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,234 ₡561.4K

$327 ₡148.7K

277.63%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$897 ₡408.1K

$781 ₡355.4K

14.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update for Nosara: June 1, 2026

Last update for Playa del Coco: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $770 in Nosara versus $752 in Playa del Coco. 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 15% higher in Nosara, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Nosara versus $79.0 in Playa del Coco. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $323 vs $366 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Nosara vs Playa del Coco: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,712 in Nosara, $1,758 in Playa del Coco – roughly 3% apart. Playa del Coco costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,568 per month in Nosara and $2,637 in Playa del Coco. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Nosara, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Nosara and $79.0 in Playa del Coco. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 14% more in Playa del Coco, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Nosara, where all-in costs run around $1,712, than in Playa del Coco at $1,758. In Nosara it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Coco it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,712 in Nosara to $1,758 in Playa del Coco. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Nosara. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Playa del Coco makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.