Cost of Living in Curridabat - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $888 (excluding rent), and $1,589 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,178 (excluding rent), and $3,256 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.96 ₡5,486
$6.97 ₡3,490
$21.92 ₡11K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.2 ₡29.6K
$39.47 ₡19.8K
$98.7 ₡49.4K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.77 ₡4,392
$7.8 ₡3,906
$11.69 ₡5,854
Cappuccino
$3.67 ₡1,836
$2.01 ₡1,006
$6.99 ₡3,501
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 ₡1,036
$1.6 ₡800
$3.05 ₡1,528
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52 ₡761
$1.01 ₡506
$2.03 ₡1,017
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 ₡1,476
$1.97 ₡986
$4.92 ₡2,462
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.59 ₡2,299
$2.35 ₡1,177
$6.84 ₡3,427
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.04 ₡1,020
$1.51 ₡756
$2.82 ₡1,410
White Bread (500g)
$2.87 ₡1,439
$1.26 ₡631
$4.45 ₡2,227
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.14 ₡1,073
$1.75 ₡877
$3.9 ₡1,951
Eggs
$3.01 ₡1,507
$2.02 ₡1,013
$4.05 ₡2,026
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.72 ₡4,867
$3.89 ₡1,947
$19.44 ₡9,730
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.02 ₡4,514
$4.91 ₡2,460
$10.82 ₡5,415
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.48 ₡6,749
$10 ₡5,007
$15.69 ₡7,855
Apples (1kg)
$4.37 ₡2,190
$2.7 ₡1,353
$5.8 ₡2,906
Banana (1kg)
$1.5 ₡752
$0.61 ₡305
$2.43 ₡1,215
Oranges (1kg)
$4.35 ₡2,175
$2.03 ₡1,016
$6.09 ₡3,048
Tomato (1kg)
$3.42 ₡1,712
$1.94 ₡974
$7.78 ₡3,894
Potato (1kg)
$3.53 ₡1,765
$1.94 ₡971
$7.07 ₡3,540
Onion (1kg)
$3.2 ₡1,602
$2.01 ₡1,006
$4.59 ₡2,300
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.04 ₡520
$0.9 ₡452
$1.04 ₡520
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 ₡1,411
$2.14 ₡1,073
$3.4 ₡1,705
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.19 ₡2,596
$3.92 ₡1,960
$5.48 ₡2,743
Wine (Bottle)
$19.87 ₡9,949
$12.92 ₡6,468
$29.82 ₡14.9K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.43 ₡1,216
$1.64 ₡822
$2.96 ₡1,482
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,399
$2.02 ₡1,009
$5.42 ₡2,714
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.94 ₡470
$0.76 ₡380
$1.09 ₡546
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.87 ₡935
$1.42 ₡710
$2.03 ₡1,017
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.77 ₡885
$1.34 ₡671
$2.3 ₡1,153
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.93 ₡3,968
$7.1 ₡3,556
$8.99 ₡4,501
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.39 ₡695
$1.28 ₡641
$1.45 ₡724
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2K ₡18.6M
$36.1K ₡18.1M
$39.4K ₡19.7M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32K ₡16M
$32K ₡16M
$34.2K ₡17.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.1 ₡47.1K
$59.8 ₡29.9K
$130 ₡64.9K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.55 ₡12.8K
$19.62 ₡9,821
$49.05 ₡24.6K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.7 ₡29.9K
$39.84 ₡19.9K
$83.7 ₡41.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.6 ₡28.3K
$39.63 ₡19.8K
$79.3 ₡39.7K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.44 ₡13.2K
$8.82 ₡4,415
$26.44 ₡13.2K
Cinema Ticket
$9.97 ₡4,990
$7.97 ₡3,992
$14.95 ₡7,483
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$576 ₡288.5K
$403 ₡201.9K
$938 ₡469.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.5K ₡6.3M
$9,818 ₡4.9M
$19.2K ₡9.6M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.4 ₡31.7K
$40.36 ₡20.2K
$121 ₡60.6K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.5 ₡26.3K
$40.77 ₡20.4K
$71 ₡35.5K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$128 ₡64K
$90.8 ₡45.5K
$151 ₡75.8K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 ₡52.9K
$48.92 ₡24.5K
$157 ₡78.4K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$771 ₡386K
$501 ₡251K
$1,210 ₡605.8K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$685 ₡342.7K
$411 ₡205.6K
$913 ₡457K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,497 ₡749.6K
$885 ₡443K
$1,771 ₡886.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,045 ₡523K
$647 ₡323.9K
$1,301 ₡651.3K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$508 ₡254.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.17
8
15
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Curridabat - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Curridabat a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with other parts of the region?
Curridabat offers a balanced mix of residential calm and convenient access to shops, tech hubs, and transit, which many travelers and long-stay visitors value. Cost of Living in Curridabat, Costa Rica tends to be moderate – more affordable than central San José in some cases, with reliable services, restaurants, and coffee culture nearby. It's a practical base for exploring the region while keeping daily expenses predictable. You’ll find varied housing options, from furnished apartments to longer-term leases, and a neighborhood feel that suits remote work and slower-paced days. Tip: test a full-week routine to sense costs across groceries, transport, and utilities.
What does daily life look like in Curridabat: housing search, groceries, transport, and co-working?
Day-to-day life blends residential calm with easy access to cafes, grocery stores, and light transit. When you search for housing, look at areas near shopping hubs and bus lines for mobility without heavy commuting. Curridabat living cost leans toward mid-range options, with utilities and internet typically predictable for a remote-work routine. Grocery runs span local markets and larger supermarkets; you’ll find fresh produce and international items in many districts. For work, consider nearby co-working spaces or reliable cafés with good Wi‑Fi and seating. Tip: Map a route that connects your housing to work and errands to minimize backtracking.
What should you consider for quality of life, budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit in Curridabat?
Quality of life here often hinges on balance: easy access to parks and services, a friendly neighborhood vibe, and reliable connectivity to the broader metro. A simple budgeting framework, such as setting essentials, lifestyle, and savings goals, helps you adapt to variable costs during travel seasons or project-heavy periods. Expect a mix of day-to-day needs – from groceries to gym, cafés, and transit – without the extremes you might find in larger capitals. For neighborhood fit, prioritize areas with daylight-friendly streets, walkability, and a sense of community, then test a few spots at different times. Tip: allocate time for a longer neighborhood reconnaissance before signing a lease.
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