Cost of Living in Guanacaste - Updated Prices & Insights

29.4

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $750 (excluding rent), and $1,422 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,787 (excluding rent), and $2,809 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.88 ₡4,944

$6.89 ₡3,452

$23.65 ₡11.8K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.47 ₡22.3K

$33.53 ₡16.8K

$101 ₡50.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.04 ₡5,027

$14.05 ₡7,033

Cappuccino

$3.79 ₡1,896

$1.97 ₡988

$6.87 ₡3,437

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

$2.08 ₡1,040

$1.6 ₡803

$5.11 ₡2,558

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 ₡798

$1.17 ₡586

$4.89 ₡2,448

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.02 ₡1,511

$2.04 ₡1,023

$6.13 ₡3,069

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.35 ₡2,179

$3.06 ₡1,532

$8.17 ₡4,091

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 ₡915

$1.18 ₡592

$2.76 ₡1,383

White Bread (500g)

$2.9 ₡1,451

$1.27 ₡636

$4.49 ₡2,246

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 ₡1,126

$1.84 ₡920

$4.09 ₡2,046

Eggs

$3.03 ₡1,516

$2.04 ₡1,019

$7.33 ₡3,667

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.83 ₡2,419

$3.87 ₡1,937

$19.34 ₡9,681

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.91 ₡1,956

$10.74 ₡5,376

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.74 ₡4,876

$15.57 ₡7,796

Apples (1kg)

$2.41 ₡1,209

$6.03 ₡3,020

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 ₡734

$0.59 ₡298

$2.37 ₡1,185

Oranges (1kg)

$4.1 ₡2,052

$2.05 ₡1,026

$6.15 ₡3,078

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 ₡682

$7.81 ₡3,907

Potato (1kg)

$3.49 ₡1,749

$1.92 ₡963

$7.01 ₡3,508

Onion (1kg)

$1.96 ₡983

$4.49 ₡2,248

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.83 ₡415

$1.03 ₡514

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.8 ₡1,400

$2.13 ₡1,065

$3.38 ₡1,692

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.96 ₡1,980

$5.54 ₡2,771

Wine (Bottle)

$19.64 ₡9,834

$12.77 ₡6,393

$29.47 ₡14.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.41 ₡1,205

$1.63 ₡815

$2.93 ₡1,469

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 ₡1,181

$2.04 ₡1,023

$5.5 ₡2,753

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 ₡422

$0.68 ₡341

$0.98 ₡490

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ₡897

$1.36 ₡682

$1.95 ₡976

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 ₡904

$1.37 ₡686

$2.35 ₡1,177

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.72 ₡3,864

$6.92 ₡3,463

$8.76 ₡4,383

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ₡703

$1.3 ₡649

$1.46 ₡733

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)

$32.9K ₡16.5M

$35.2K ₡17.6M

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

$93.2 ₡46.7K

$59.3 ₡29.7K

$128 ₡64.3K

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

$25.45 ₡12.7K

$19.53 ₡9,779

$48.84 ₡24.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.52 ₡14.8K

$82.6 ₡41.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.2 ₡28.1K

$39.35 ₡19.7K

$78.7 ₡39.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.23 ₡11.6K

$7.75 ₡3,879

$23.23 ₡11.6K

Cinema Ticket

$9.99 ₡4,999

$7.99 ₡3,999

$14.97 ₡7,496

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

$576 ₡288.6K

$403 ₡201.9K

$938 ₡469.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.6K ₡6.3M

$9,883 ₡4.9M

$19.3K ₡9.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.5 ₡30.3K

$40.32 ₡20.2K

$121 ₡60.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.4 ₡19.7K

$69 ₡34.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81 ₡40.6K

$152 ₡76K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.9 ₡34.5K

$49.24 ₡24.7K

$158 ₡78.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$760 ₡380.4K

$494 ₡247.4K

$1,193 ₡597K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$606 ₡303.5K

$364 ₡182.1K

$808 ₡404.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,543 ₡772.6K

$912 ₡456.6K

$1,825 ₡913.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$972 ₡486.6K

$602 ₡301.4K

$1,211 ₡606K

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 Guanacaste - Frequently Asked Questions

Value depends on what you prioritize. Cost of Living in Guanacaste, Costa Rica tends to be moderate compared with many tropical destinations, with price gaps between coastal hubs and inland towns. For digital nomads, longer stays can be economical if you balance renting, self-catering, and shared workspaces. Expect higher costs in the peak season and in beachfront pockets, while inland areas offer more affordable options. Practical budgeting around transport, utilities, and local services helps stretch days on a flexible schedule. Tip: Start by listing essential expenses, compare a few neighborhoods, and test a monthly plan that fits your rhythm.

Daily life centers on a mix of beach-town rhythms and rural calm. Housing search favors local listings, social media groups, and longer leases to lock in better rates. The Guanacaste, Costa Rica living cost tends to be higher near coast towns but steadier inland. Grocery options range from open-air markets to supermarkets; you can fuel a balanced diet by cooking at home and sampling street food during non-peak hours. Transport commonly uses a car for range, but buses, rideshares, and scooters cover short hops. For work, dependable wifi exists in many coworking spaces and cafes. Tip: plan errands early in the day and map your routes.

Quality of life shines with outdoor access, community, and a manageable pace, yet budgeting remains essential. Use a simple framework: fixed essentials (housing, utilities), flexible spends (food, transport), and discretionary (activities). Seasonality affects crowds, options, and sometimes prices, so plan ahead for holidays and high season by booking early and targeting shoulder months for better value. Neighborhood fit matters: choose towns by vibe – quiet inland spots for stability, or vibrant coastal towns for social life and longer workdays outdoors. For savings, combine cooking, shared amenities, and seasonal produce from local markets. Tip: build a monthly review to adjust categories as you settle in.