Cost of Living in Montanita - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $503 (excluding rent), and $863 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,200 (excluding rent), and $1,755 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.46 $3.46

$2.47 $2.47

$6.92 $6.92

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.52 $28.52

$20.37 $20.37

$48.9 $48.9

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.42 $7.42

$6.29 $6.29

$10.06 $10.06

Cappuccino

$2.47 $2.47

$1.51 $1.51

$4.82 $4.82

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

$0.9 $0.9

$0.61 $0.61

$2.04 $2.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.63 $0.63

$0.49 $0.49

$0.98 $0.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.37 $1.37

$3.93 $3.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.55 $3.55

$2.43 $2.43

$6.08 $6.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.1 $1.1

$0.79 $0.79

$1.39 $1.39

White Bread (500g)

$1.68 $1.68

$1.01 $1.01

$3.04 $3.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.01 $1.01

$2.82 $2.82

Eggs

$2.12 $2.12

$1.31 $1.31

$3.58 $3.58

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.3 $5.3

$2.91 $2.91

$11.65 $11.65

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.45 $5.45

$2.53 $2.53

$8.72 $8.72

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.44 $6.44

$3.6 $3.6

$12.34 $12.34

Apples (1kg)

$1.99 $1.99

$0.97 $0.97

$4.28 $4.28

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.77 $0.77

$1.54 $1.54

Oranges (1kg)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.61 $0.61

$3.04 $3.04

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.49 $0.49

$1.71 $1.71

Potato (1kg)

$1.45 $1.45

$0.51 $0.51

$3.08 $3.08

Onion (1kg)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.79 $0.79

$1.97 $1.97

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.48 $0.48

$0.29 $0.29

$0.95 $0.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.59 $0.59

$1.48 $1.48

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.87 $5.87

$4.89 $4.89

$7.82 $7.82

Wine (Bottle)

$10.15 $10.15

$5.58 $5.58

$12.18 $12.18

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.02 $1.02

$2.56 $2.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.78 $1.78

$4.07 $4.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 $0.34

$0.43 $0.43

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.53 $1.53

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.73 $0.73

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.02 $10.02

$8.02 $8.02

$15.03 $15.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.63 $0.63

$0.61 $0.61

$0.67 $0.67

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

$24.9K $24.9K

$19.9K $19.9K

$24.9K $24.9K

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

$28.2K $28.2K

$24.6K $24.6K

$29.6K $29.6K

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

$39.84 $39.84

$25.04 $25.04

$56.8 $56.8

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

$13.56 $13.56

$9.9 $9.9

$22.78 $22.78

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.32 $31.32

$24.41 $24.41

$47.81 $47.81

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.54 $29.54

$24.61 $24.61

$34.46 $34.46

Cinema Ticket

$7.49 $7.49

$6.09 $6.09

$10.14 $10.14

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

$254 $254

$184 $184

$333 $333

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,544 $5,544

$2,944 $2,944

$7,899 $7,899

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.5 $56.5

$25.2 $25.2

$90.7 $90.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.9 $43.9

$30.42 $30.42

$60.8 $60.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.2 $98.2

$69.3 $69.3

$139 $139

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.4 $76.4

$30.55 $30.55

$91.7 $91.7

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$348 $348

$255 $255

$611 $611

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$317 $317

$175 $175

$430 $430

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$627 $627

$451 $451

$803 $803

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$497 $497

$379 $379

$599 $599

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,258 $1,258

$355 $355

$1,258 $1,258

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,015 $1,015

$555 $555

$1,015 $1,015

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.5

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in Montanita - Frequently Asked Questions

Montanita offers a sunny balance of affordability and lifestyle that many come for. You’ll find simple guesthouses, shared dorms, and cozy apartments near the beach, with mid-range options offering private rooms and basic kitchens. Seasonal crowds push some prices up, but you can still dine cheaply from street stalls and markets, or cook at home for extra savings. Cost of Living in [location] reflects the beach-town rhythm: it’s flexible, letting you tighten your budget with buses and walking, or stretch funds when you want longer stays and a quieter workspace. Tip: test a week, then decide on a longer stay during shoulder season.

Daily life in Montanita blends beach-town charm with practical routines. Housing ranges from social hostels to longer-term rentals near the sand, with quieter lanes offering more value and kitchen access. Food choices span inexpensive street bites to affordable cafe meals; buy produce at local markets and cook when you can. Transport is simple: walk most days, rent a scooter, or hop a short taxi ride. If you work remotely, look for cafes with reliable Wi-Fi or a small coworking space by the main drag. [location] living cost varies by season and style of living – budget accordingly. Tip: scout several neighborhoods to match your pace and noise preference.

Montanita's vibe is outdoorsy and sociable, with a pace that suits both short visits and longer stays. To optimize your budget, use a simple framework: cover essentials (home, meals, transit), set flexible “fun” allowances (dining out, activities), and reserve a buffer for seasonal swings. Seasonality affects crowds more than prices, so shoulder periods may feel more relaxed and give you easier access to space and wifi. For neighborhood fit, stay near the beach if you want social energy, or choose a hillside stretch for calmer mornings; both are walkable to shops and cafes. Tip: join a short-term stay and explore several blocks before committing.