Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Port of Spain and Nosara

For one person, living is cheaper in Port of Spain: $1,648 a month against $1,837 in Nosara, rent and utilities included – about $2,300 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Nosara outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Port of Spain
🇹🇹 Trinidad And Tobago
$1,648
/mo nomad
Nosara
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,837
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Port of Spain and in Nosara

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Port of Spain and in Nosara actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,648 per month in Port of Spain vs $1,837 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Port of Spain $1,648
  • Nosara $1,837

A couple spends around $2,743 per month in Port of Spain vs $2,775 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Port of Spain $2,743
  • Nosara $2,775

A family of three spends $3,838 per month in Port of Spain vs $3,712 in Nosara, rent included.

  • Port of Spain $3,838
  • Nosara $3,712

Port of Spain is about 10% cheaper than Nosara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Port of Spain and Nosara sit above the global median – Port of Spain by 23%, Nosara by 37%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.51 TTD 70.7
$12.22 ₡5,509
-13.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.3 TTD 594
$60.2 ₡27.1K
46.73%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.06 TTD 61.0
$7.54 ₡3,399
20.16%
Cappuccino
$3.83 TTD 25.76
$4.31 ₡1,941
-11.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05 TTD 7.05
$1.72 ₡773
-38.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 TTD 5.19
$1.35 ₡608
-42.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.24 TTD 15.05
$3.24 ₡1,459
-30.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60 TTD 24.19
$4.48 ₡2,018
-19.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.52 TTD 16.93
$1.57 ₡707
60.51%
White Bread (500g)
$2.49 TTD 16.74
$3.17 ₡1,429
-21.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.84 TTD 19.09
$2.42 ₡1,091
17.36%
Eggs
$4.30 TTD 28.95
$3.57 ₡1,609
20.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.70 TTD 45.05
$7.43 ₡3,349
-9.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.03 TTD 67.5
$10.42 ₡4,697
-3.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.45 TTD 77.0
$13.66 ₡6,156
-16.18%
Apples (1kg)
$5.60 TTD 37.69
$2.32 ₡1,044
141.38%
Banana (1kg)
$3.03 TTD 20.41
$1.61 ₡728
88.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.72 TTD 25.03
$4.74 ₡2,138
-21.52%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.36 TTD 29.34
$1.66 ₡747
162.65%
Potato (1kg)
$2.21 TTD 14.87
$3.72 ₡1,679
-40.59%
Onion (1kg)
$1.87 TTD 12.56
$3.57 ₡1,611
-47.62%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.85 TTD 12.47
$1.10 ₡497
68.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40 TTD 9.45
$2.55 ₡1,149
-45.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.78 TTD 38.90
$4.95 ₡2,232
16.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.94 TTD 127
$20.01 ₡9,020
-5.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.32 TTD 15.62
$2.79 ₡1,256
-16.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 TTD 20.01
$3.53 ₡1,589
-15.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.34 TTD 9.04
$1.19 ₡537
12.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$132 TTD 888
$72.1 ₡32.5K
83.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.06 TTD 7.12
$2.24 ₡1,011
-52.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.28 TTD 8.60
$1.55 ₡701
-17.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.85 TTD 99.9
$8.86 ₡3,993
67.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 TTD 7.77
$1.57 ₡708
-26.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.1K TTD 249.8K
$21.8K ₡9.8M
70.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.6K TTD 272.9K
$34.6K ₡15.6M
17.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$92.7 TTD 624
$93.5 ₡42.1K
-0.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.0 TTD 350
$35.11 ₡15.8K
48.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.1 TTD 384
$51.5 ₡23.2K
10.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.3 TTD 385
$71.4 ₡32.2K
-19.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.18 TTD 88.7
$35.44 ₡16.0K
-62.81%
Cinema Ticket
$8.73 TTD 58.7
$7.84 ₡3,535
11.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$392 TTD 2,638
$490 ₡220.7K
-19.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.8K TTD 72.4K
$11.9K ₡5.4M
-9.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.7 TTD 375
$53.5 ₡24.1K
4.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.1 TTD 350
$55.8 ₡25.1K
-6.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$143 TTD 964
$79.3 ₡35.7K
80.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 TTD 698
$78.9 ₡35.6K
31.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,001 TTD 6,734
$786 ₡354.3K
27.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$511 TTD 3,438
$780 ₡351.6K
-34.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,176 TTD 14.6K
$3,860 ₡1.7M
-43.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,201 TTD 8,077
$1,407 ₡634.4K
-14.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,579 TTD 30.8K
$6,972 ₡3.1M
-34.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,991 TTD 13.4K
$1,201 ₡541.3K
65.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Port of Spain
Nosara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$778 TTD 5,237
$876 ₡395.0K
-11.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.75
8.62
-33.29%

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

Last update for Port of Spain: October 5, 2026

Last update for Nosara: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Port of Spain
$511
Nosara
$780 52.6% $269
Groceries & Markets
Port of Spain
$356
Nosara
$350 1.9% $6.6
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port of Spain
$202
Nosara
$180 10.8% $22
Eating Out
Port of Spain
$183
Nosara
$209 14.6% $27
Clothing & Footwear
Port of Spain
$160
Nosara
$120 24.6% $39
Getting Around
Port of Spain
$145
Nosara
$87 40% $58
Sport & Entertainment
Port of Spain
$75
Nosara
$87 16.6% $12

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,001 in Port of Spain versus $786 in Nosara. 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 13% higher in Nosara, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Port of Spain versus $60.0 in Nosara. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $356 vs $350 – making Nosara the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇹 Port of Spain
🇨🇷 Nosara
🕒 Local time
02:55 2:55 AM
00:55 12:55 AM
2 h behind Port of Spain
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
37,074 Capital
4,912
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, USD, EUR to TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Converter

Trinidad and Tobago Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 6.73 TTD (1 TTD = 0.149 USD). 1 EUR = 7.55 TTD (1 TTD = 0.133 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 451 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.22 USD). 1 EUR = 506 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Port of Spain Nosara 2,640 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Port of Spain
  • Nosara

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
Port of Spain vs Nosara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Port of Spain and in Nosara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,648 in Port of Spain, $1,837 in Nosara – roughly 12% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.
What salary covers living expenses in Port of Spain compared to Nosara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,472 per month in Port of Spain and $2,756 in Nosara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Port of Spain and Nosara?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Port of Spain, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Port of Spain and in Nosara?
Public transport costs about 83% less in Port of Spain. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Port of Spain and Nosara?
Kindergarten costs $392 per month in Port of Spain and $490 in Nosara. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Port of Spain, where all-in costs run around $1,648, than in Nosara at $1,837. In Port of Spain it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nosara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Port of Spain and Nosara?
It depends on your priorities. Nosara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,648 in Port of Spain to $1,837 in Nosara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Port of Spain or Nosara safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Port of Spain and Nosara?
If budget matters most, go with Port of Spain. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Nosara makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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