Cost of Living in Jaco Beach - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $759 (excluding rent), and $1,343 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,778 (excluding rent), and $2,893 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.05 ₡3,530

$5.88 ₡2,943

$21.55 ₡10.8K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.49 ₡19.8K

$98.7 ₡49.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.83 ₡4,422

$11.78 ₡5,895

Cappuccino

$3.74 ₡1,874

$1.95 ₡976

$6.78 ₡3,396

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

$1.59 ₡798

$3.06 ₡1,533

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.98 ₡489

$2.04 ₡1,023

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.96 ₡1,480

$1.97 ₡988

$4.93 ₡2,468

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 ₡1,458

$5.83 ₡2,921

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 ₡696

$2.7 ₡1,352

White Bread (500g)

$2.02 ₡1,011

$1.23 ₡615

$4.34 ₡2,172

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 ₡1,119

$1.83 ₡915

$4.06 ₡2,033

Eggs

$2.41 ₡1,207

$2.01 ₡1,005

$4.01 ₡2,010

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.19 ₡5,100

$4.08 ₡2,040

$20.37 ₡10.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.36 ₡4,184

$5.09 ₡2,549

$11.21 ₡5,610

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.09 ₡5,552

$10.28 ₡5,146

$16.13 ₡8,074

Apples (1kg)

$4.57 ₡2,290

$2.83 ₡1,415

$6.07 ₡3,038

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 ₡730

$0.59 ₡296

$2.35 ₡1,179

Oranges (1kg)

$4.08 ₡2,042

$1.94 ₡972

$5.82 ₡2,916

Tomato (1kg)

$3.22 ₡1,610

$2.02 ₡1,014

$8.1 ₡4,054

Potato (1kg)

$1.41 ₡704

$7.14 ₡3,576

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 ₡665

$4.62 ₡2,311

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.92 ₡461

$0.9 ₡451

$1.04 ₡519

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 ₡921

$3.57 ₡1,790

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.2 ₡2,606

$3.93 ₡1,968

$5.5 ₡2,754

Wine (Bottle)

$12.45 ₡6,231

$11.23 ₡5,621

$29.29 ₡14.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 ₡1,159

$1.63 ₡817

$2.94 ₡1,472

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 ₡987

$5.52 ₡2,763

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.1 ₡551

$0.89 ₡445

$1.28 ₡640

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ₡933

$1.42 ₡708

$2.03 ₡1,014

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.8 ₡903

$1.37 ₡685

$2.35 ₡1,176

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.94 ₡3,976

$7.12 ₡3,563

$9.01 ₡4,510

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ₡730

$1.35 ₡674

$1.54 ₡771

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

$37.9K ₡19M

$36.8K ₡18.4M

$40.1K ₡20.1M

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

$33K ₡16.5M

$35.3K ₡17.7M

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

$70.2 ₡35.1K

$48.82 ₡24.4K

$127 ₡63.5K

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

$22.19 ₡11.1K

$20.17 ₡10.1K

$50.4 ₡25.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.97 ₡21K

$39.04 ₡19.5K

$82 ₡41K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.77 ₡23.9K

$45.78 ₡22.9K

$49.76 ₡24.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.8 ₡10.9K

$7.27 ₡3,640

$21.8 ₡10.9K

Cinema Ticket

$10.16 ₡5,086

$8.13 ₡4,069

$15.23 ₡7,626

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

$448 ₡224.3K

$405 ₡202.7K

$941 ₡471.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,574 ₡3.3M

$6,361 ₡3.2M

$19.4K ₡9.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.3 ₡31.7K

$40.3 ₡20.2K

$121 ₡60.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.3 ₡25.7K

$39.83 ₡19.9K

$69.3 ₡34.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡64.1K

$91 ₡45.5K

$152 ₡75.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 ₡53.3K

$49.31 ₡24.7K

$158 ₡79K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$547 ₡273.7K

$362 ₡181.4K

$686 ₡343.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$498 ₡249.3K

$359 ₡179.5K

$797 ₡398.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,891 ₡946.9K

$1,211 ₡606.1K

$2,435 ₡1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,032 ₡516.9K

$901 ₡451K

$1,201 ₡601.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$394 ₡197.1K

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 Jaco Beach - Frequently Asked Questions

Jaco Beach sits in the middle of the Costa Rica spectrum for value. You’ll find options that suit a modest budget and options with more comfort near the beachfront. The Cost of Living in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica varies by season and by neighborhood, with stronger price pressure on lodging and meals during the peak dry season and on weekends. To stretch your budget, consider staying a short drive from the main strip, cooking at home, or choosing smaller, locally owned eateries over tourist spots. For long stays, negotiate monthly rates and look for long-term rental markets; coworking spaces can trim costs if you need space. Tip: Map out a monthly plan focusing on housing, groceries, and transport to gauge value before booking.

Day-to-day life in Jaco Beach is pragmatic and active. When you start, your housing search benefits from checking both beachfront villas and inland rentals, with longer-term leases often available through local agents. For meals, balance oceanfront restaurants with mercados and home cooking to manage the Jaco Beach, Costa Rica living cost. Getting around is easy: scooter or bike rentals, colectivos, or taxi services cover most needs, and walking is pleasant in town. Errands cluster near the center: groceries, pharmacies, and coworking spaces make it simple to stay productive while enjoying the surf town vibe. Tip: Keep a simple packing and shopping list to avoid impulse buys.

Quality of life in Jaco Beach comes from balancing budget with a laid-back lifestyle. You can tailor a practical framework by separating fixed costs, daily needs, and leisure, then tracking how each area shifts with the seasons. The dry season brings more events and busier streets, while the rainy period tends to be quieter and conducive to longer, lower-stress stays. Neighborhood fit matters: central beachfront is lively and convenient for quick errands, whereas inland blocks offer calmer mornings and more space. Save by cooking at home, choosing local markets, and sharing co-working spaces or accommodations with others. Tip: Establish a simple monthly rhythm to review plans and adjust as needed.