Cost of Living in Samara - Updated Prices & Insights

60.45
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $856 (excluding rent), and $1,782 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,050 (excluding rent), and $4,370 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.03 ₡5,023
$4.01 ₡2,009
$22.06 ₡11K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55 ₡27.5K
$20 ₡10K
$100 ₡50.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.94 ₡3,472
$6.94 ₡3,472
$11.89 ₡5,951
Cappuccino
$2.81 ₡1,408
$2.02 ₡1,013
$7.04 ₡3,525
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 ₡986
$1.52 ₡761
$3.49 ₡1,747
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 ₡683
$1.01 ₡504
$2.03 ₡1,014
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3 ₡1,501
$2 ₡1,002
$5 ₡2,503
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.14 ₡2,071
$2.36 ₡1,182
$5.93 ₡2,966
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ₡978
$1.45 ₡725
$2.9 ₡1,450
White Bread (500g)
$2.86 ₡1,430
$1.25 ₡627
$5.62 ₡2,815
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.2 ₡1,104
$1.8 ₡902
$4.01 ₡2,005
Eggs
$3.04 ₡1,524
$2.05 ₡1,024
$4.09 ₡2,049
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.04 ₡5,028
$4.02 ₡2,011
$20.08 ₡10.1K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.32 ₡4,667
$5.08 ₡2,544
$11.18 ₡5,599
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.08 ₡5,044
$10.08 ₡5,044
$16.11 ₡8,065
Apples (1kg)
$4.63 ₡2,316
$2.86 ₡1,431
$8.18 ₡4,097
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 ₡721
$0.58 ₡292
$2.33 ₡1,165
Oranges (1kg)
$4.19 ₡2,096
$1.96 ₡979
$5.87 ₡2,938
Tomato (1kg)
$3.42 ₡1,713
$1.95 ₡974
$7.78 ₡3,897
Potato (1kg)
$3.57 ₡1,786
$1.96 ₡983
$7.16 ₡3,582
Onion (1kg)
$3.09 ₡1,545
$1.94 ₡970
$4.43 ₡2,217
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97 ₡486
$0.84 ₡422
$1.36 ₡682
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.93 ₡1,467
$2.23 ₡1,115
$3.54 ₡1,772
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.86 ₡2,431
$3.89 ₡1,947
$5.44 ₡2,725
Wine (Bottle)
$17.74 ₡8,881
$13.18 ₡6,600
$30.42 ₡15.2K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.36 ₡1,181
$1.7 ₡850
$3.06 ₡1,533
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 ₡1,112
$2.1 ₡1,051
$5.65 ₡2,829
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.11 ₡553
$0.89 ₡447
$1.28 ₡643
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.88 ₡939
$1.43 ₡713
$2.04 ₡1,021
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.83 ₡917
$1.39 ₡695
$2.39 ₡1,194
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.78 ₡3,894
$6.97 ₡3,489
$8.82 ₡4,417
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.4 ₡703
$1.28 ₡639
$1.56 ₡782
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)
$32K ₡16M
$32K ₡16M
$34.2K ₡17.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$94.4 ₡47.2K
$60 ₡30K
$213 ₡106.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.1 ₡13.1K
$20.03 ₡10K
$80.1 ₡40.1K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.6 ₡29.3K
$39.1 ₡19.6K
$97.7 ₡48.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$70.1 ₡35.1K
$40.05 ₡20.1K
$100 ₡50.1K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.6 ₡11.8K
$7.87 ₡3,940
$23.6 ₡11.8K
Cinema Ticket
$10.02 ₡5,015
$8.01 ₡4,012
$15.02 ₡7,520
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$471 ₡235.6K
$348 ₡174.2K
$920 ₡460.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,917 ₡3M
$5,917 ₡3M
$19.2K ₡9.6M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7 ₡29.4K
$39.16 ₡19.6K
$117 ₡58.8K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51 ₡25.5K
$39.63 ₡19.8K
$69 ₡34.5K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$126 ₡63K
$79.4 ₡39.8K
$179 ₡89.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 ₡54.2K
$50.1 ₡25.1K
$160 ₡80.2K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,531 ₡766.6K
$1,049 ₡525.3K
$2,433 ₡1.2M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$841 ₡420.8K
$733 ₡366.9K
$991 ₡496.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,017 ₡1.5M
$2,008 ₡1M
$4,015 ₡2M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,226 ₡1.1M
$1,616 ₡809.1K
$3,030 ₡1.5M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,061 ₡2.5M
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.17
8
15
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Samara - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Samara, Costa Rica a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads overall?
The Cost of Living in Samara, Costa Rica sits in a comfortable middle ground for the region. You get reliable essentials, fresh produce, affordable casual meals, and reasonable housing options, without the prices of larger coastal cities. The relaxed pace, safety, and accessible nature make it appealing for long stays when you want consistency and a beach lifestyle. It is especially attractive if you prioritize quality of life, proximity to nature, and a friendly local scene over flashy luxury. Housing and coworking can be affordable relative to Western standards, with flexible terms for longer visits. Tip: set a simple, flexible budget and test neighborhoods first.
What does daily life look like in Samara for housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
For daily life, you will notice a practical mix of beach town charm and local markets. Samara, Costa Rica living cost is a rough guide for budgeting groceries and seafood, while dining out near the beachfront tends to be pricier. Housing search happens through local agents, small rental managers, and community groups; look for places within easy walking distance of the main beach to minimize transport. You will find cafes and small coworking spots with reliable Wi-Fi, plus buses, bikes, and taxis for errands and excursions. Tip: tour several neighborhoods at different times of day to sense pace and safety.
How can you maximize quality of life in Samara, balancing seasonality, neighborhood fit, and budgeting?
A practical approach is to match your routine to seasonality and local rhythms. Pick a neighborhood that fits your pace, central beach for easy access to shops and surf, inland hills for quieter mornings, or a family-friendly strip near parks. Build a simple budgeting framework focused on housing, groceries, transport, and activities, with room for occasional splurges like a coastal day trip. Embrace local markets, prepare meals at home, and negotiate longer leases for better terms. Seasonal shifts affect crowds and availability, so adapt your plans, shops, and coworking slots accordingly. Tip: keep a flexible calendar and stay connected with local expat and neighborhood groups.
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