Cost of Living in Guanacaste - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $836 (excluding rent), and $1,441 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,013 (excluding rent), and $2,788 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.13 ₡4,951

$7.07 ₡3,456

$24.26 ₡11.9K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.97 ₡21.5K

$33.16 ₡16.2K

$99.9 ₡48.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.25 ₡5,006

$14.33 ₡7,003

Cappuccino

$3.74 ₡1,829

$1.95 ₡952

$6.78 ₡3,315

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

$2.04 ₡998

$1.58 ₡771

$5.03 ₡2,457

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 ₡809

$1.22 ₡594

$5.08 ₡2,483

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.91 ₡1,423

$1.97 ₡963

$5.91 ₡2,889

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.34 ₡2,118

$3.05 ₡1,489

$8.14 ₡3,977

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 ₡911

$1.21 ₡589

$2.82 ₡1,377

White Bread (500g)

$2.85 ₡1,391

$1.25 ₡610

$4.41 ₡2,153

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 ₡1,098

$1.84 ₡898

$4.09 ₡1,996

Eggs

$2.95 ₡1,440

$1.98 ₡968

$7.13 ₡3,484

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.04 ₡2,460

$4.03 ₡1,970

$20.15 ₡9,846

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.89 ₡1,902

$10.7 ₡5,229

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.98 ₡4,874

$15.95 ₡7,793

Apples (1kg)

$2.43 ₡1,185

$6.06 ₡2,961

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ₡741

$0.62 ₡301

$2.45 ₡1,197

Oranges (1kg)

$4.03 ₡1,971

$2.02 ₡985

$6.05 ₡2,956

Tomato (1kg)

$1.37 ₡668

$7.82 ₡3,823

Potato (1kg)

$3.56 ₡1,738

$1.96 ₡957

$7.14 ₡3,487

Onion (1kg)

$1.96 ₡956

$4.48 ₡2,187

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.84 ₡410

$1.04 ₡508

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.92 ₡1,428

$2.22 ₡1,086

$3.53 ₡1,725

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.95 ₡1,931

$5.53 ₡2,702

Wine (Bottle)

$18.04 ₡8,813

$10.02 ₡4,897

$30.06 ₡14.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.42 ₡1,183

$1.64 ₡800

$2.95 ₡1,442

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 ₡1,157

$2.05 ₡1,002

$5.52 ₡2,696

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.04 ₡507

$0.84 ₡410

$1.21 ₡589

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.78 ₡868

$1.35 ₡659

$1.93 ₡944

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.84 ₡900

$1.4 ₡682

$2.4 ₡1,171

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.82 ₡3,822

$7.01 ₡3,425

$8.87 ₡4,336

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ₡711

$1.34 ₡657

$1.52 ₡741

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

$37.9K ₡18.5M

$36.8K ₡18M

$40.1K ₡19.6M

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

$33.2K ₡16.2M

$35.5K ₡17.3M

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

$92.8 ₡45.4K

$59 ₡28.8K

$128 ₡62.5K

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

$26.04 ₡12.7K

$19.99 ₡9,766

$49.98 ₡24.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.59 ₡14.5K

$82.8 ₡40.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.5 ₡28.1K

$40.23 ₡19.7K

$80.5 ₡39.3K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.55 ₡11.5K

$7.85 ₡3,836

$23.55 ₡11.5K

Cinema Ticket

$10.24 ₡5,003

$8.19 ₡4,002

$15.36 ₡7,502

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

$557 ₡272.2K

$390 ₡190.5K

$906 ₡442.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.1M

$9,821 ₡4.8M

$19.2K ₡9.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.1 ₡28.9K

$39.43 ₡19.3K

$118 ₡57.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.35 ₡19.2K

$68.9 ₡33.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.6 ₡38.4K

$147 ₡72K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.5 ₡33.9K

$49.61 ₡24.2K

$159 ₡77.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$757 ₡370K

$493 ₡240.6K

$1,189 ₡580.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$599 ₡292.7K

$360 ₡175.6K

$799 ₡390.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,502 ₡733.6K

$887 ₡433.6K

$1,776 ₡867.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$950 ₡464.1K

$588 ₡287.4K

$1,183 ₡578K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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 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.