Cost of Living in Playa Flamingo - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $946 (excluding rent), and $1,595 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,407 (excluding rent), and $3,201 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.13 ₡5,436

$7.08 ₡3,458

$25.43 ₡12.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.4 ₡29.5K

$40.25 ₡19.7K

$101 ₡49.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.02 ₡4,896

$12.02 ₡5,871

Cappuccino

$3.74 ₡1,826

$1.95 ₡951

$6.78 ₡3,310

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

$2.04 ₡998

$1.58 ₡771

$3.01 ₡1,472

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₡769

$1.16 ₡565

$1.93 ₡945

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.9 ₡1,415

$1.93 ₡945

$5.83 ₡2,850

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.74 ₡2,318

$3.03 ₡1,479

$6.1 ₡2,978

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ₡1,004

$1.52 ₡744

$2.84 ₡1,388

White Bread (500g)

$2.78 ₡1,358

$1.22 ₡595

$4.3 ₡2,102

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 ₡1,096

$1.83 ₡896

$4.08 ₡1,992

Eggs

$2.33 ₡1,140

$1.93 ₡945

$3.87 ₡1,891

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.12 ₡4,943

$4.05 ₡1,977

$22.42 ₡11K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.28 ₡4,534

$5.06 ₡2,471

$11.13 ₡5,439

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.65 ₡6,668

$10.12 ₡4,946

$15.89 ₡7,761

Apples (1kg)

$4.6 ₡2,246

$2.84 ₡1,387

$6.1 ₡2,979

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 ₡708

$0.59 ₡287

$2.34 ₡1,143

Oranges (1kg)

$4.22 ₡2,061

$1.97 ₡963

$5.91 ₡2,888

Tomato (1kg)

$3.46 ₡1,688

$1.96 ₡960

$7.86 ₡3,840

Potato (1kg)

$3.51 ₡1,717

$1.93 ₡945

$7.05 ₡3,444

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 ₡1,508

$1.94 ₡946

$4.43 ₡2,164

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.96 ₡467

$0.83 ₡406

$0.97 ₡472

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.8 ₡1,367

$2.13 ₡1,040

$3.38 ₡1,652

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.91 ₡2,401

$3.91 ₡1,911

$5.47 ₡2,674

Wine (Bottle)

$18.4 ₡8,988

$10.22 ₡4,994

$30.66 ₡15K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.51 ₡1,227

$1.7 ₡830

$3.06 ₡1,496

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 ₡1,379

$2.04 ₡995

$5.48 ₡2,676

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.03 ₡503

$0.83 ₡406

$1.19 ₡584

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ₡875

$1.36 ₡664

$1.95 ₡951

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 ₡904

$1.4 ₡686

$2.41 ₡1,178

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.06 ₡3,938

$7.22 ₡3,528

$9.14 ₡4,467

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ₡715

$1.35 ₡660

$1.52 ₡745

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)

$32K ₡15.6M

$34.2K ₡16.7M

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

$95.6 ₡46.7K

$60.8 ₡29.7K

$132 ₡64.3K

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

$20.24 ₡9,886

$20.12 ₡9,832

$50.3 ₡24.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.1 ₡29.3K

$40.07 ₡19.6K

$84.2 ₡41.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.5 ₡28.1K

$40.23 ₡19.7K

$80.5 ₡39.3K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.25 ₡11.8K

$8.09 ₡3,951

$24.25 ₡11.8K

Cinema Ticket

$10.04 ₡4,903

$8.03 ₡3,923

$15.05 ₡7,353

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

$577 ₡282K

$404 ₡197.3K

$939 ₡458.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,017 ₡4.4M

$19.5K ₡9.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.4 ₡30K

$39.07 ₡19.1K

$117 ₡57.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.1 ₡25K

$39.69 ₡19.4K

$69.1 ₡33.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$124 ₡60.5K

$87.9 ₡43K

$147 ₡71.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 ₡53.3K

$50.5 ₡24.7K

$162 ₡79K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$763 ₡372.9K

$496 ₡242.5K

$1,198 ₡585.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$594 ₡290K

$356 ₡174K

$791 ₡386.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,527 ₡745.8K

$902 ₡440.8K

$1,805 ₡881.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$961 ₡469.7K

$595 ₡290.9K

$1,197 ₡584.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,517 ₡1.7M

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 1, 2025

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Cost of Living in Playa Flamingo - Frequently Asked Questions

Playa Flamingo sits in a mid-range spot among coastal destinations. You’ll find value in flexible housing options, longer leases, and shopping at local markets rather than resort-front stores. The Cost of Living in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica tends to be more predictable than high-season resort hubs, especially if you choose districts a short walk from the beach and lean into household staples from mercados. Dining can range from casual sodas to seafood spots, with service-friendly staff helping keep daily costs reasonable. A bigger luxury villa can spike expenses, while modest apartments keep things affordable. Tip: Plan weeknight meals around local markets to stretch your budget.

Understanding the Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica living cost helps frame housing, meals, and transport decisions. You’ll find a mix of beach-close studios, longer-term apartments, and villas, with prices influenced by proximity to the sand and season. Local mercados and sodas offer affordable produce and meals, while restaurants range up to family-friendly venues with reliable services. Transportation options include car or scooter rental, taxis, and occasional shuttles; many people prefer walking or cycling along the shore when possible. Co-working spaces exist nearby for digital nomads, and steady internet is common in mid-range stays. Tip: start with a 2–4 week trial to test neighborhoods and internet reliability.

Quality of life in Playa Flamingo blends natural beauty with practical budgeting. A simple approach helps you balance comfort and cost: separate fixed housing and utilities from flexible spending on dining, activities, and travel. Expect gentle price swings with the seasons, as peak months bring busier beaches and shorter availability, while the off-season can bring better value. Neighborhood fit matters: quieter sections near the sand suit early-risers, while easy access to shops and co-working spaces suits remote work. Ways to save include cooking at home, buying from local markets, negotiating longer leases, and choosing public transport when possible. Tip: build a monthly buffer for seasonal shifts.