Cost of Living in San Isidro - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $889 (excluding rent), and $1,533 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,176 (excluding rent), and $3,218 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.01 ₡4,964

$7.00 ₡3,472

$22.02 ₡10.9K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.5 ₡26.0K

$40.41 ₡20.0K

$101 ₡50.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.80 ₡4,858

$9.41 ₡4,663

$11.75 ₡5,825

Cappuccino

$3.70 ₡1,836

$1.96 ₡971

$6.82 ₡3,380

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

$2.04 ₡1,013

$1.58 ₡782

$3.22 ₡1,595

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 ₡797

$1.18 ₡586

$1.97 ₡979

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.06 ₡1,517

$2.04 ₡1,013

$5.10 ₡2,529

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.60 ₡2,281

$2.94 ₡1,455

$5.88 ₡2,915

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 ₡1,002

$1.50 ₡743

$2.80 ₡1,386

White Bread (500g)

$2.77 ₡1,372

$1.21 ₡601

$4.47 ₡2,216

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.13 ₡1,056

$1.74 ₡863

$3.87 ₡1,919

Eggs

$2.94 ₡1,457

$1.98 ₡979

$4.73 ₡2,347

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.67 ₡4,793

$3.87 ₡1,917

$19.33 ₡9,581

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.03 ₡4,476

$4.92 ₡2,439

$12.60 ₡6,248

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.57 ₡6,728

$9.88 ₡4,897

$15.79 ₡7,830

Apples (1kg)

$4.43 ₡2,199

$2.74 ₡1,358

$7.45 ₡3,694

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ₡752

$0.61 ₡305

$2.45 ₡1,214

Oranges (1kg)

$4.19 ₡2,076

$1.96 ₡970

$5.87 ₡2,909

Tomato (1kg)

$3.30 ₡1,634

$2.02 ₡1,000

$8.07 ₡4,001

Potato (1kg)

$3.33 ₡1,651

$1.88 ₡933

$6.86 ₡3,400

Onion (1kg)

$3.05 ₡1,510

$2.03 ₡1,005

$4.63 ₡2,297

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.00 ₡497

$0.87 ₡432

$1.41 ₡698

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.95 ₡1,464

$2.04 ₡1,011

$3.57 ₡1,769

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.06 ₡2,509

$4.05 ₡2,009

$5.67 ₡2,812

Wine (Bottle)

$12.37 ₡6,132

$8.83 ₡4,380

$26.49 ₡13.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 ₡1,119

$1.63 ₡806

$2.93 ₡1,452

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.66 ₡1,321

$2.12 ₡1,051

$5.71 ₡2,829

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 ₡480

$0.78 ₡388

$1.12 ₡558

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ₡898

$1.38 ₡682

$1.97 ₡976

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 ₡897

$1.37 ₡680

$2.36 ₡1,168

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.91 ₡3,923

$7.09 ₡3,515

$8.98 ₡4,450

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.39 ₡691

$1.29 ₡638

$1.55 ₡769

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

$38.2K ₡19.0M

$37.1K ₡18.4M

$40.5K ₡20.1M

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

$33.1K ₡16.4M

$35.4K ₡17.5M

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

$92.6 ₡45.9K

$58.9 ₡29.2K

$177 ₡87.6K

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

$25.63 ₡12.7K

$19.68 ₡9,756

$49.20 ₡24.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.5 ₡26.5K

$40.55 ₡20.1K

$85.2 ₡42.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.8 ₡28.7K

$40.47 ₡20.1K

$80.9 ₡40.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.16 ₡12.0K

$8.06 ₡3,995

$24.16 ₡12.0K

Cinema Ticket

$10.19 ₡5,053

$7.13 ₡3,535

$15.28 ₡7,577

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

$523 ₡259.3K

$396 ₡196.3K

$920 ₡456.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.7K ₡6.3M

$6,463 ₡3.2M

$19.5K ₡9.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.4 ₡31.0K

$39.77 ₡19.7K

$119 ₡59.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 ₡25.1K

$39.30 ₡19.5K

$68.4 ₡33.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 ₡62.7K

$89.9 ₡44.6K

$150 ₡74.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 ₡53.4K

$49.87 ₡24.7K

$160 ₡79.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$779 ₡386.4K

$507 ₡251.3K

$1,223 ₡606.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$604 ₡299.3K

$362 ₡179.6K

$805 ₡399.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,495 ₡741.0K

$883 ₡437.9K

$1,767 ₡876.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$981 ₡486.2K

$607 ₡301.1K

$1,221 ₡605.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

San Isidro Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

207

Mbps

162

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in San Isidro - Frequently Asked Questions

For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, Cost of Living in San Isidro, Costa Rica offers a balance between comfort and value. Neighborhood choice drives the majority of your costs: older walk-ups can be thrifty, while newer, central apartments or villas raise the price but reduce commute time. Food markets and casual eateries supply fresh produce at friendly prices, and weekly shopping plans help keep groceries predictable. Transit is practical; buses and ride-hailing are accessible, with some areas needing a short walk. Internet reliability varies by building, so verify before signing a lease. Tip: test a few neighborhoods on weekends to balance access and quiet.

Daily life in San Isidro, Costa Rica is practical and approachable for many budgets. Housing options range from simple apartments to small houses, with neighborhoods offering different balances of quiet, access, and safety. Food choices include fresh markets, affordable street food, and cafés with reliable WiFi for remote work. For transport, buses connect the area well, ride-hailing is common, and biking can be enjoyable in dry periods. Plan errands around market days to maximize freshness and savings, and look for co-working spaces that fit your workflow. San Isidro, Costa Rica living cost varies by area, so compare nearby communities before committing. Tip: start with short-term stays to test commute times and noise levels.

Quality of life in San Isidro is shaped by pace, access to nature, and a sense of community. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, groceries, transportation, and personal expenses, then earmark a predictable portion for flexibility. Off-season travel and shopping can lower costs, while humid months may raise electricity use; plan for that. Neighborhood fit matters: look for areas with shade, sidewalks, reliable internet, and proximity to markets. Seasonal fluctuations in rental demand can affect availability, so try a few weeks of short-term stays before committing. Tip: build a small buffer for surprising costs and keep a list of favorite affordable cafés with good WiFi.