Cost of Living in Puntarenas - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $636 (excluding rent), and $1,313 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,645 (excluding rent), and $2,641 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.49 ₡3,750

$7.08 ₡3,546

$22.27 ₡11.1K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.5 ₡29.8K

$35.69 ₡17.9K

$99.7 ₡49.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.02 ₡4,517

$8.21 ₡4,108

$11.73 ₡5,870

Cappuccino

$3.79 ₡1,899

$1.98 ₡989

$6.88 ₡3,442

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

$2.05 ₡1,027

$1.58 ₡793

$3.05 ₡1,526

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 ₡825

$1.01 ₡504

$3.05 ₡1,528

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3 ₡1,500

$2 ₡1,002

$7.04 ₡3,523

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.72 ₡2,365

$3.01 ₡1,509

$6.07 ₡3,038

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ₡980

$1.45 ₡726

$2.71 ₡1,355

White Bread (500g)

$2.87 ₡1,439

$1.26 ₡630

$4.45 ₡2,227

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.01 ₡1,005

$1.81 ₡904

$4.01 ₡2,010

Eggs

$2.25 ₡1,126

$2.01 ₡1,005

$4.01 ₡2,010

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.43 ₡1,718

$20.2 ₡10.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.09 ₡4,048

$5.05 ₡2,527

$11.11 ₡5,563

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.92 ₡4,464

$15.85 ₡7,935

Apples (1kg)

$3.67 ₡1,835

$2.85 ₡1,425

$6.11 ₡3,060

Banana (1kg)

$0.92 ₡463

$0.57 ₡286

$2.28 ₡1,140

Oranges (1kg)

$1.18 ₡588

$5.9 ₡2,952

Tomato (1kg)

$1.32 ₡661

$7.73 ₡3,870

Potato (1kg)

$1.62 ₡810

$7.13 ₡3,568

Onion (1kg)

$1.6 ₡801

$4.58 ₡2,292

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.78 ₡393

$0.97 ₡486

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.92 ₡963

$3.43 ₡1,719

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ₡2,294

$3.99 ₡1,998

$5.59 ₡2,796

Wine (Bottle)

$7.16 ₡3,584

$29.03 ₡14.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 ₡856

$3.08 ₡1,543

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 ₡1,148

$2.04 ₡1,020

$5.48 ₡2,744

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 ₡486

$0.79 ₡393

$1.13 ₡565

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.85 ₡928

$1.41 ₡705

$2.02 ₡1,009

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.8 ₡899

$1.36 ₡682

$2.34 ₡1,171

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.77 ₡3,890

$6.96 ₡3,486

$8.82 ₡4,413

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 ₡677

$1.33 ₡667

$1.5 ₡753

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

$37.3K ₡18.7M

$36.2K ₡18.1M

$39.5K ₡19.8M

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

$17K ₡8.5M

$35K ₡17.5M

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

$48.95 ₡24.5K

$127 ₡63.7K

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

$20.22 ₡10.1K

$50.6 ₡25.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.49 ₡11.8K

$82.2 ₡41.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.4 ₡31.2K

$43.7 ₡21.9K

$87.4 ₡43.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$25.96 ₡13K

$8.66 ₡4,334

$25.96 ₡13K

Cinema Ticket

$10.14 ₡5,076

$8.11 ₡4,061

$15.2 ₡7,611

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

$577 ₡288.6K

$403 ₡202K

$938 ₡469.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.3M

$9,832 ₡4.9M

$19.2K ₡9.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$23.44 ₡11.7K

$117 ₡58.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.89 ₡7,956

$69.5 ₡34.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡63.9K

$90.7 ₡45.4K

$151 ₡75.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.16 ₡23.6K

$157 ₡78.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$776 ₡388.6K

$505 ₡252.7K

$1,218 ₡609.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$588 ₡294.5K

$353 ₡176.7K

$784 ₡392.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,509 ₡755.4K

$892 ₡446.5K

$1,784 ₡893.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$973 ₡487K

$602 ₡301.6K

$1,212 ₡606.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$916 ₡458.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$604 ₡302.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$875 ₡438.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

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Cost of Living in Puntarenas - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with larger urban centers and well-known beach hotspots, Puntarenas generally feels approachable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who value laid-back living and ocean access. You’ll find a mix of simple apartments, shared houses, and longer-term rentals that can be more adaptable than in pricier neighborhoods. The Cost of Living in Puntarenas, Costa Rica shifts with the season, so you can often negotiate longer leases or lower rates during quieter months. Local markets help you stretch a budget when cooking at home, and casual eateries offer affordable meals without sacrificing freshness. Tip: explore neighborhoods near the waterfront or toward quieter bays to balance value and vibe.

Finding a place in Puntarenas often starts with local listings, word of mouth, and quick in-person viewings to verify terms and safety. For groceries, mercados offer fresh produce, fish, and staples you can cook with at home, which keeps costs predictable. Transport is practical: buses run core routes, scooters are common, and many people walk to harbor-side spots. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi support longer work sessions, especially during the dry season. Puntarenas, Costa Rica living cost remains approachable when you mix market meals with planned time for beach breaks. Tip: when searching, pair in-person visits with a few neighborhood walks at different times to gauge safety and vibe.

Quality of life in Puntarenas blends a relaxed pace with access to nature, culture, and seafood, so your budgeting becomes flexible. Start with a simple framework: a monthly baseline for housing, groceries, and utilities, plus a buffer for outings and occasional trips to nearby beaches. Seasonal shifts influence activity and prices, with busier periods bringing more options and calmer months offering negotiation leverage for leases. Neighborhood fit matters – seek a calm bay for quieter days or a lively center for networking and nightlife. Tip: test several neighborhoods at different times of day to gauge safety, access, and street ambience.