Cost of Living in Guanacaste - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $717 (excluding rent), and $1,407 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,976 (excluding rent), and $2,838 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.82 ₡4,867

$6.85 ₡3,398

$23.50 ₡11.7K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.86 ₡21.7K

$33.07 ₡16.4K

$99.7 ₡49.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.20 ₡5,057

$14.27 ₡7,075

Cappuccino

$3.78 ₡1,872

$1.97 ₡975

$6.85 ₡3,394

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

$2.00 ₡990

$1.54 ₡764

$4.91 ₡2,435

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 ₡790

$1.17 ₡581

$4.89 ₡2,425

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.87 ₡1,421

$1.94 ₡962

$5.82 ₡2,886

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.32 ₡2,140

$3.03 ₡1,504

$8.10 ₡4,018

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 ₡918

$1.20 ₡594

$2.80 ₡1,387

White Bread (500g)

$2.79 ₡1,383

$1.22 ₡606

$4.32 ₡2,140

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.21 ₡1,098

$1.81 ₡897

$4.02 ₡1,995

Eggs

$2.93 ₡1,451

$1.97 ₡976

$7.08 ₡3,511

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.85 ₡2,403

$3.88 ₡1,924

$19.40 ₡9,616

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.90 ₡1,931

$10.71 ₡5,308

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.68 ₡4,799

$15.48 ₡7,673

Apples (1kg)

$2.41 ₡1,195

$6.02 ₡2,986

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 ₡740

$0.61 ₡300

$2.41 ₡1,196

Oranges (1kg)

$4.09 ₡2,027

$2.04 ₡1,014

$6.13 ₡3,041

Tomato (1kg)

$1.35 ₡671

$7.75 ₡3,842

Potato (1kg)

$3.50 ₡1,736

$1.93 ₡955

$7.02 ₡3,481

Onion (1kg)

$2.02 ₡1,000

$4.61 ₡2,286

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.77 ₡379

$0.95 ₡469

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 ₡1,470

$2.25 ₡1,118

$3.58 ₡1,776

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.88 ₡1,925

$5.43 ₡2,694

Wine (Bottle)

$18.24 ₡9,042

$10.14 ₡5,026

$30.40 ₡15.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 ₡1,231

$1.68 ₡833

$3.03 ₡1,501

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 ₡1,152

$2.01 ₡997

$5.41 ₡2,684

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 ₡483

$0.79 ₡390

$1.13 ₡561

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.87 ₡928

$1.42 ₡705

$2.04 ₡1,009

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.87 ₡927

$1.42 ₡703

$2.43 ₡1,207

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.74 ₡3,840

$6.94 ₡3,441

$8.78 ₡4,355

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 ₡702

$1.31 ₡648

$1.48 ₡732

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

$38.2K ₡18.9M

$37.0K ₡18.4M

$40.4K ₡20.0M

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

$33.0K ₡16.3M

$35.2K ₡17.5M

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

$94.3 ₡46.8K

$60.0 ₡29.7K

$130 ₡64.4K

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

$26.30 ₡13.0K

$20.19 ₡10.0K

$50.5 ₡25.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.92 ₡14.8K

$83.8 ₡41.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.0 ₡28.3K

$39.94 ₡19.8K

$79.9 ₡39.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.62 ₡11.7K

$7.88 ₡3,905

$23.62 ₡11.7K

Cinema Ticket

$10.07 ₡4,992

$8.06 ₡3,994

$15.10 ₡7,486

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

$567 ₡281.2K

$397 ₡196.8K

$923 ₡457.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.6K ₡6.3M

$9,938 ₡4.9M

$19.5K ₡9.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.4 ₡30.0K

$40.28 ₡20.0K

$121 ₡59.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.11 ₡19.9K

$70.2 ₡34.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.6 ₡39.9K

$151 ₡74.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.3 ₡34.3K

$49.46 ₡24.5K

$158 ₡78.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$749 ₡371.6K

$487 ₡241.6K

$1,176 ₡583.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$605 ₡300.0K

$363 ₡180.0K

$807 ₡400.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,496 ₡741.6K

$884 ₡438.3K

$1,769 ₡876.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$965 ₡478.5K

$598 ₡296.4K

$1,202 ₡596.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Guanacaste Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

176

Mbps

122

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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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.