Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Coco and Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon

For one person, living is cheaper in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: $1,632 a month against $1,676 in Playa del Coco, rent and utilities included – about $530 less a year. The total is higher in Playa del Coco despite lower rent and utilities.

Playa del Coco, Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, Costa Rica
Playa del Coco
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,676
/mo nomad
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,632
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Playa del Coco 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 Playa del Coco and in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,676 per month in Playa del Coco vs $1,632 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, rent included.

  • Playa del Coco $1,676
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $1,632

A couple spends around $2,700 per month in Playa del Coco vs $2,532 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, rent included.

  • Playa del Coco $2,700
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $2,532

A family of three spends $3,724 per month in Playa del Coco vs $3,432 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, rent included.

  • Playa del Coco $3,724
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $3,432

Playa del Coco costs about 3% more than Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Playa del Coco and Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon sit above the global median – Playa del Coco by 23%, Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon by 20%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.46 ₡8,328
$12.18 ₡5,497
51.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.1 ₡26.2K
$43.30 ₡19.5K
34.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.36 ₡6,030
$10.95 ₡4,941
22.01%
Cappuccino
$4.35 ₡1,965
$3.88 ₡1,751
12.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65 ₡1,197
$2.42 ₡1,094
9.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60 ₡724
$1.82 ₡823
-12.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.58 ₡1,613
$3.21 ₡1,446
11.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.15 ₡2,774
$4.10 ₡1,849
50.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.30 ₡1,039
$2.00 ₡902
15.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.79 ₡1,260
$3.07 ₡1,385
-9.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.44 ₡1,102
$2.44 ₡1,101
-
Eggs
$3.56 ₡1,605
$3.08 ₡1,389
15.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.56 ₡4,764
$6.46 ₡2,914
63.47%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.58 ₡4,776
$7.56 ₡3,410
39.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.10 ₡7,264
$14.18 ₡6,397
13.54%
Apples (1kg)
$5.57 ₡2,516
$2.72 ₡1,225
104.78%
Banana (1kg)
$1.77 ₡798
$1.11 ₡501
59.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.84 ₡1,731
$1.30 ₡587
195.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.58 ₡1,614
$1.71 ₡772
109.36%
Potato (1kg)
$3.43 ₡1,548
$2.66 ₡1,199
28.95%
Onion (1kg)
$3.07 ₡1,386
$2.02 ₡911
51.98%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.20 ₡542
$0.65 ₡292
84.62%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.67 ₡1,206
$1.93 ₡869
38.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.81 ₡2,623
$3.22 ₡1,452
80.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.66 ₡7,517
$15.19 ₡6,856
9.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.51 ₡1,131
$2.89 ₡1,305
-13.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65 ₡1,194
$3.53 ₡1,593
-24.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.33 ₡600
$1.35 ₡611
-1.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$43.19 ₡19.5K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.46 ₡1,110
$1.76 ₡793
39.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 ₡701
$1.60 ₡723
-3.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.30 ₡4,198
$8.83 ₡3,984
5.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 ₡714
$1.51 ₡680
4.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K ₡15.5M
$34.1K ₡15.4M
0.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.0K ₡18.5M
$41.6K ₡18.8M
-1.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$93.6 ₡42.2K
$94.8 ₡42.8K
-1.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.79 ₡13.4K
$35.25 ₡15.9K
-15.49%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.3 ₡26.3K
$33.45 ₡15.1K
74.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.1 ₡32.1K
$67.7 ₡30.5K
4.96%
Cinema Ticket
$7.18 ₡3,240
$7.57 ₡3,418
-5.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$756 ₡340.9K
$987 ₡445.2K
-23.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.0K ₡7.7M
$17.4K ₡7.9M
-2.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.1 ₡37.1K
$65.2 ₡29.4K
25.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.6 ₡25.1K
$26.77 ₡12.1K
107.62%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 ₡49.6K
$99.1 ₡44.7K
11.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116 ₡52.5K
$54.5 ₡24.6K
113.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$882 ₡397.8K
$890 ₡401.4K
-0.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$559 ₡252.1K
$703 ₡317.0K
-20.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,979 ₡893.1K
$2,029 ₡915.5K
-2.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,193 ₡538.1K
$1,387 ₡626.1K
-14.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$334 ₡150.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Coco
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$772 ₡348.3K
$998 ₡450.4K
-22.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.62
8.62
-

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

Last update for Playa del Coco: 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
Playa del Coco
$559
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$703 25.8% $144
Groceries & Markets
Playa del Coco
$384
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$296 22.9% $88
Eating Out
Playa del Coco
$287
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$218 24.1% $69
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Coco
$182
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$163 10% $18
Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Coco
$164
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$110 32.6% $53
Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Coco
$85
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$83 3% $2.6
Getting Around
Playa del Coco
$16 *
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$58 276% $43

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $882 in Playa del Coco 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 29% higher in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, 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 $58 in Playa del Coco versus $43 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $384 vs $296 – making Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇷 Playa del Coco
🇨🇷 Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
🕒 Local time
04:35 4:35 AM
04:35 4:35 AM
Same time as Playa del Coco
🌤 Weather
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CRC – Costa Rican Colón Converter

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 = 1.99 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Playa del Coco Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon 22 km
From you
  • Playa del Coco
  • 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
Playa del Coco vs Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Coco or Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
Playa del Coco costs about 3% more than Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Playa del Coco and in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,514 per month in Playa del Coco 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Playa del Coco compared to Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $882 in Playa del Coco and $890 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
How do dining costs compare in Playa del Coco and in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $58 in Playa del Coco 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.
Are groceries more expensive in Playa del Coco or in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
Groceries cost about 30% more in Playa del Coco, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Playa del Coco or in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,676 in Playa del Coco and $1,632 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Playa del Coco or Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
It depends on your priorities. Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,632 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon to $1,676 in Playa del Coco. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Playa del Coco vs other spots: cost of living compared

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