Cost of Living in Guadalupe - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $848 (excluding rent), and $1,550 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,893 (excluding rent), and $2,947 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.08 ₡2,542

$22.35 ₡11.2K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.55 ₡14.8K

$98.5 ₡49.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.24 ₡5,128

$12.28 ₡6,149

Cappuccino

$2.54 ₡1,273

$2.04 ₡1,022

$7.11 ₡3,557

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

$2.04 ₡1,021

$1.57 ₡788

$3.01 ₡1,506

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 ₡824

$1.21 ₡606

$2.02 ₡1,013

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 ₡1,497

$2 ₡1,000

$4.99 ₡2,497

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.76 ₡2,383

$3.04 ₡1,520

$6.08 ₡3,046

Milk (1 liter)

$1.95 ₡978

$1.45 ₡725

$3.94 ₡1,975

White Bread (500g)

$2.82 ₡1,410

$1.23 ₡618

$4.36 ₡2,182

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.84 ₡922

$1.8 ₡902

$4.01 ₡2,005

Eggs

$2.99 ₡1,499

$2.01 ₡1,008

$4.03 ₡2,016

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.12 ₡5,065

$4.05 ₡2,026

$20.22 ₡10.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.99 ₡4,503

$4.9 ₡2,454

$10.79 ₡5,402

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.7 ₡6,857

$10.16 ₡5,086

$15.94 ₡7,981

Apples (1kg)

$4.52 ₡2,264

$2.79 ₡1,399

$6 ₡3,004

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 ₡751

$0.61 ₡304

$2.42 ₡1,213

Oranges (1kg)

$4.29 ₡2,149

$2 ₡1,004

$6.01 ₡3,011

Tomato (1kg)

$3.44 ₡1,725

$1.96 ₡981

$7.83 ₡3,922

Potato (1kg)

$3.43 ₡1,717

$1.89 ₡945

$6.88 ₡3,444

Onion (1kg)

$3.22 ₡1,612

$2.02 ₡1,012

$4.62 ₡2,314

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 ₡520

$0.9 ₡452

$1.04 ₡520

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 ₡1,448

$2.2 ₡1,101

$3.49 ₡1,749

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.34 ₡2,676

$4.04 ₡2,021

$5.65 ₡2,828

Wine (Bottle)

$19.93 ₡9,977

$12.96 ₡6,486

$29.9 ₡15K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 ₡1,218

$1.65 ₡824

$2.97 ₡1,485

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 ₡1,476

$2.13 ₡1,064

$5.72 ₡2,864

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.1 ₡551

$0.89 ₡445

$1.28 ₡640

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.78 ₡890

$1.35 ₡676

$1.93 ₡968

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.77 ₡888

$1.35 ₡674

$2.31 ₡1,157

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ₡3,923

$7.02 ₡3,515

$8.89 ₡4,450

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ₡707

$1.3 ₡652

$1.47 ₡736

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

$37.3K ₡18.7M

$36.2K ₡18.1M

$39.4K ₡19.7M

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

$32.6K ₡16.3M

$34.8K ₡17.4M

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

$95 ₡47.6K

$60.4 ₡30.2K

$131 ₡65.5K

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

$26.15 ₡13.1K

$20.08 ₡10K

$50.2 ₡25.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.6 ₡30.3K

$40.39 ₡20.2K

$84.8 ₡42.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 ₡31.8K

$44.44 ₡22.2K

$88.9 ₡44.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.11 ₡12.1K

$8.04 ₡4,025

$24.11 ₡12.1K

Cinema Ticket

$10.05 ₡5,034

$8.04 ₡4,027

$15.08 ₡7,548

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

$571 ₡286K

$400 ₡200.1K

$930 ₡465.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.3M

$9,830 ₡4.9M

$19.2K ₡9.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.1 ₡31.6K

$40.19 ₡20.1K

$121 ₡60.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.4 ₡26.2K

$40.68 ₡20.4K

$70.8 ₡35.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$127 ₡63.6K

$90.2 ₡45.2K

$150 ₡75.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 ₡53K

$49.06 ₡24.6K

$157 ₡78.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$857 ₡429.2K

$557 ₡279.1K

$1,345 ₡673.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$589 ₡294.9K

$353 ₡177K

$786 ₡393.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,660 ₡831.2K

$981 ₡491.3K

$1,963 ₡982.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$947 ₡474K

$586 ₡293.6K

$1,179 ₡590.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$395 ₡197.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

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Cost of Living in Guadalupe - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Guadalupe, Costa Rica tends to sit in the comfortable middle, making it appealing for travelers, digital nomads, and expats who want ease without price shocks. You will find a range of housing – from simple apartments to shared houses – that suits different budgets, plus abundant fresh produce at local markets. Daily costs for meals, rides, and utilities drift with the season but generally stay predictable if you focus on local options and avoid tourist hotspots. Proximity to San José’s core offers work and entertainment without long commutes. Tip: test different neighborhoods for scale, noise, and safety before committing to a longer stay.

Daily life in Guadalupe mixes convenience with a casual vibe. When you search for housing, start with local listings and walk the area to judge noise, ventilation, and light; you will find studios and 1-bedroom options near tiendas and bus routes. Food is easy: small local eateries, fruit stalls, and affordable coffee spots give you cheap, tasty options beyond tourist menus. For errands, the bus and rideshare network cover your routes, and nearby co-working spaces support remote work. Guadalupe, Costa Rica living cost varies by neighborhood, so budget for utilities and occasional transit spikes. Tip: plan a one-week test stay before committing.

Quality of life in Guadalupe evolves with the seasons and your routine, so anchor your plan around a simple budgeting framework: separate essentials from discretionary, and adjust monthly as you settle into a neighborhood. In the dry season you may notice more outdoor options and slightly higher activity in public spaces; in the rainy months, indoor amenities become more valued. Neighborhood fit matters: look for light, safe streets, nearby markets, and access to transit if you work remote or travel around. Save smart by cooking at home, choosing locally produced staples, and using public transport or walking whenever possible. Tip: test how often you will actually use coworking spaces versus working from a cafe to gauge true costs.