Cost of Living in Playa Flamingo - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $878 (excluding rent), and $1,553 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,167 (excluding rent), and $3,278 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11 ₡5,506

$7 ₡3,503

$25.14 ₡12.6K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.5 ₡29.3K

$39.02 ₡19.5K

$97.6 ₡48.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.01 ₡5,011

$12 ₡6,009

Cappuccino

$3.9 ₡1,954

$2.03 ₡1,018

$7.07 ₡3,541

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

$2.03 ₡1,018

$1.57 ₡786

$3 ₡1,502

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 ₡792

$1.16 ₡582

$1.94 ₡973

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.05 ₡1,527

$2.04 ₡1,020

$6.14 ₡3,074

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.65 ₡2,329

$2.97 ₡1,486

$5.98 ₡2,992

Milk (1 liter)

$1.95 ₡979

$1.45 ₡725

$2.7 ₡1,354

White Bread (500g)

$2.78 ₡1,390

$1.22 ₡609

$4.3 ₡2,151

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 ₡1,125

$1.84 ₡920

$4.09 ₡2,045

Eggs

$2.34 ₡1,171

$1.94 ₡971

$3.88 ₡1,942

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.09 ₡5,052

$4.04 ₡2,021

$22.36 ₡11.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.08 ₡4,544

$4.95 ₡2,476

$10.89 ₡5,451

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.86 ₡6,937

$10.28 ₡5,146

$16.13 ₡8,074

Apples (1kg)

$4.61 ₡2,310

$2.85 ₡1,427

$6.12 ₡3,065

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 ₡758

$0.61 ₡307

$2.44 ₡1,224

Oranges (1kg)

$4.29 ₡2,146

$2 ₡1,003

$6.01 ₡3,008

Tomato (1kg)

$3.58 ₡1,790

$2.03 ₡1,018

$8.13 ₡4,071

Potato (1kg)

$3.48 ₡1,744

$1.92 ₡960

$6.99 ₡3,497

Onion (1kg)

$3.11 ₡1,557

$1.95 ₡977

$4.46 ₡2,235

Lettuce (1 head)

$1 ₡503

$0.87 ₡437

$1.01 ₡508

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.81 ₡1,407

$2.14 ₡1,070

$3.4 ₡1,700

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.05 ₡2,530

$4.02 ₡2,014

$5.63 ₡2,819

Wine (Bottle)

$19.84 ₡9,931

$12.9 ₡6,456

$29.76 ₡14.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.42 ₡1,212

$1.64 ₡819

$2.95 ₡1,477

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 ₡1,413

$2.04 ₡1,019

$5.48 ₡2,742

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 ₡492

$0.79 ₡398

$1.14 ₡572

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ₡907

$1.38 ₡689

$1.97 ₡986

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.8 ₡902

$1.37 ₡684

$2.35 ₡1,175

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.72 ₡3,866

$6.92 ₡3,465

$8.76 ₡4,386

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ₡732

$1.35 ₡675

$1.52 ₡762

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)

$32.5K ₡16.2M

$34.7K ₡17.4M

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

$94.3 ₡47.2K

$60 ₡30K

$130 ₡65K

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

$19.74 ₡9,881

$19.63 ₡9,827

$49.08 ₡24.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.4 ₡30.2K

$40.28 ₡20.2K

$84.6 ₡42.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.7 ₡28.4K

$39.73 ₡19.9K

$79.5 ₡39.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.64 ₡11.8K

$7.88 ₡3,947

$23.64 ₡11.8K

Cinema Ticket

$9.78 ₡4,894

$7.82 ₡3,915

$14.66 ₡7,339

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

$562 ₡281.4K

$393 ₡196.9K

$915 ₡457.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,096 ₡4.6M

$19.7K ₡9.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.3 ₡30.7K

$39.04 ₡19.5K

$117 ₡58.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.2 ₡26.1K

$40.59 ₡20.3K

$70.7 ₡35.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$127 ₡63.5K

$90.1 ₡45.1K

$150 ₡75.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 ₡53.8K

$49.76 ₡24.9K

$159 ₡79.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$758 ₡379.5K

$493 ₡246.8K

$1,190 ₡595.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$665 ₡332.8K

$399 ₡199.7K

$886 ₡443.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,536 ₡768.8K

$908 ₡454.4K

$1,816 ₡909K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$952 ₡476.8K

$590 ₡295.2K

$1,186 ₡593.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,602 ₡1.8M

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 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.