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Cost of Living in Desamparados - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $945 (excluding rent), and $1,570 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,851 (excluding rent), and $3,199 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.92 ₡4,848
$6.94 ₡3,391
$21.82 ₡10.7K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.8 ₡25.3K
$39.86 ₡19.5K
$99.6 ₡48.7K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.73 ₡4,753
$9.34 ₡4,562
$11.66 ₡5,699
Cappuccino
$3.7 ₡1,809
$1.96 ₡957
$6.82 ₡3,332
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 ₡1,015
$1.6 ₡784
$3.27 ₡1,597
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 ₡770
$1.16 ₡566
$1.94 ₡946
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.01 ₡1,471
$2.01 ₡982
$5.02 ₡2,453
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.69 ₡2,294
$3 ₡1,464
$6 ₡2,932
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.02 ₡989
$1.5 ₡733
$2.8 ₡1,368
White Bread (500g)
$2.8 ₡1,370
$1.23 ₡600
$4.53 ₡2,213
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.14 ₡1,044
$1.75 ₡853
$3.88 ₡1,897
Eggs
$2.98 ₡1,457
$2.01 ₡980
$4.81 ₡2,348
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.94 ₡4,854
$3.97 ₡1,942
$19.86 ₡9,703
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.9 ₡4,350
$4.85 ₡2,371
$12.43 ₡6,072
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.53 ₡6,612
$9.85 ₡4,813
$15.75 ₡7,695
Apples (1kg)
$4.53 ₡2,213
$2.8 ₡1,367
$7.61 ₡3,717
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 ₡737
$0.61 ₡299
$2.44 ₡1,190
Oranges (1kg)
$4.16 ₡2,031
$1.94 ₡949
$5.83 ₡2,847
Tomato (1kg)
$3.17 ₡1,551
$1.94 ₡950
$7.78 ₡3,799
Potato (1kg)
$3.28 ₡1,604
$1.86 ₡907
$6.76 ₡3,303
Onion (1kg)
$2.9 ₡1,418
$1.93 ₡943
$4.42 ₡2,157
Lettuce (1 head)
$1 ₡489
$0.87 ₡425
$1.41 ₡687
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.84 ₡1,388
$1.96 ₡959
$3.43 ₡1,677
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.1 ₡2,490
$4.08 ₡1,994
$5.71 ₡2,790
Wine (Bottle)
$17.23 ₡8,415
$11.22 ₡5,481
$33.88 ₡16.6K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.37 ₡1,159
$1.71 ₡834
$3.08 ₡1,503
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65 ₡1,297
$2.11 ₡1,032
$5.69 ₡2,778
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1 ₡489
$0.81 ₡395
$1.16 ₡568
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.8 ₡879
$1.37 ₡668
$1.96 ₡956
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 ₡871
$1.35 ₡660
$2.32 ₡1,134
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.1 ₡3,956
$7.26 ₡3,545
$9.19 ₡4,488
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ₡710
$1.34 ₡656
$1.62 ₡790
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.1K ₡18.6M
$37K ₡18.1M
$40.3K ₡19.7M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K ₡15.7M
$32.2K ₡15.7M
$34.4K ₡16.8M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.5 ₡46.2K
$60.1 ₡29.3K
$180 ₡88K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.05 ₡12.7K
$20 ₡9,770
$50 ₡24.4K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.2 ₡26K
$40.28 ₡19.7K
$84.6 ₡41.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 ₡27.9K
$40.06 ₡19.6K
$80.1 ₡39.1K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.19 ₡11.8K
$8.07 ₡3,941
$24.19 ₡11.8K
Cinema Ticket
$10.02 ₡4,896
$7.01 ₡3,425
$15.03 ₡7,342
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$517 ₡252.6K
$392 ₡191.3K
$910 ₡444.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.7K ₡6.2M
$6,467 ₡3.2M
$19.5K ₡9.5M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.7 ₡31.1K
$40.57 ₡19.8K
$122 ₡59.5K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51 ₡24.9K
$39.63 ₡19.4K
$69 ₡33.7K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$125 ₡61.3K
$89.2 ₡43.6K
$149 ₡72.6K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 ₡52.4K
$49.64 ₡24.3K
$159 ₡77.6K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$756 ₡369.3K
$492 ₡240.1K
$1,186 ₡579.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$603 ₡294.6K
$362 ₡176.8K
$804 ₡392.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,543 ₡753.9K
$912 ₡445.6K
$1,825 ₡891.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$978 ₡477.8K
$606 ₡295.9K
$1,218 ₡595.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.17
8
15

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Desamparados - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Desamparados stack up for affordability compared with other popular Costa Rica destinations, for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Desamparados offers a practical balance between city access and everyday costs. When you compare rent, groceries, and services, you often get more value than in the core capital while staying within reach of San José’s work hubs. The Cost of Living in Desamparados tends to feel steadier than in overtly touristy towns, with affordable local markets and a range of rental options, from compact apartments to small houses. Eating out is convenient but budgeting around home-cooked meals stretches the budget further. Tip: spend a weekend scouting several neighborhoods to identify where street life, safety, and transit align with your routine.
What does daily life look like here in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands for someone staying a while in Desamparados?
Searching for housing starts with local listings, recommendations from neighbors, and short-term stays that let you test neighborhoods. Expect a mix of older units and newer buildings near commercial strips; bargains appear in quieter blocks a short bus ride from the center. Food options range from vibrant mercados to convenience stores, with plenty of fresh fruit, beans, and rice staples that help keep meals affordable. Public transport relies on a solid bus network and ride-hailing for late returns. Desamparados living cost can guide your planning as you compare rentals and monthly bills. Tip: build a simple budgeting template for rent, utilities, and transit.
Which budgeting framework and neighborhood fit can enhance quality of life, and how can seasonal changes be navigated in Desamparados?
Quality of life in Desamparados comes from choosing a neighborhood that matches pace and safety preferences, then building a flexible budget around seasons and bills. Use a simple framework: fixed costs (rent, utilities) plus variable costs (food, transport, entertainment). Favor neighborhoods with good access to buses, markets, and coworking spaces, then scale up or down based on rainfall or high-tourist months. Seasonality affects crowds and prices in practical ways – more visitors can push short-term rents up slightly, while longer-term leases usually stabilize costs. Tip: budget and reassess monthly.

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