Cost of Living in San Isidro - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $757 (excluding rent), and $1,578 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,990 (excluding rent), and $3,127 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.93 ₡4,850

$6.94 ₡3,393

$21.83 ₡10.7K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.9 ₡25.4K

$39.92 ₡19.5K

$99.8 ₡48.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 ₡4,898

$9.62 ₡4,701

$12.02 ₡5,872

Cappuccino

$3.89 ₡1,899

$2.06 ₡1,005

$7.16 ₡3,496

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

$2.08 ₡1,015

$1.6 ₡784

$3.27 ₡1,597

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 ₡776

$1.17 ₡570

$1.95 ₡953

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.9 ₡1,414

$1.93 ₡945

$4.83 ₡2,359

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.62 ₡2,259

$2.95 ₡1,442

$5.91 ₡2,888

Milk (1 liter)

$2.04 ₡998

$1.51 ₡740

$2.82 ₡1,380

White Bread (500g)

$2.88 ₡1,406

$1.26 ₡616

$4.65 ₡2,271

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 ₡1,051

$1.76 ₡859

$3.91 ₡1,910

Eggs

$2.98 ₡1,457

$2.01 ₡980

$4.81 ₡2,348

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.67 ₡4,725

$3.87 ₡1,890

$19.34 ₡9,446

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.17 ₡4,481

$5 ₡2,442

$12.8 ₡6,254

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.61 ₡6,647

$9.9 ₡4,838

$15.84 ₡7,737

Apples (1kg)

$4.55 ₡2,221

$2.81 ₡1,372

$7.64 ₡3,732

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 ₡733

$0.61 ₡297

$2.42 ₡1,184

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 ₡2,071

$1.98 ₡968

$5.94 ₡2,903

Tomato (1kg)

$3.24 ₡1,582

$1.98 ₡968

$7.93 ₡3,874

Potato (1kg)

$3.32 ₡1,621

$1.87 ₡916

$6.83 ₡3,338

Onion (1kg)

$2.95 ₡1,439

$1.96 ₡958

$4.48 ₡2,190

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ₡502

$0.89 ₡436

$1.44 ₡704

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.87 ₡1,402

$1.98 ₡969

$3.47 ₡1,694

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.86 ₡2,373

$3.89 ₡1,900

$5.44 ₡2,659

Wine (Bottle)

$13.37 ₡6,532

$8.71 ₡4,255

$26.3 ₡12.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 ₡1,158

$1.71 ₡834

$3.08 ₡1,503

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.66 ₡1,301

$2.12 ₡1,036

$5.7 ₡2,787

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.04 ₡508

$0.84 ₡410

$1.21 ₡590

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ₡886

$1.38 ₡673

$1.97 ₡964

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.87 ₡913

$1.42 ₡693

$2.43 ₡1,189

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.87 ₡3,846

$7.05 ₡3,446

$8.93 ₡4,363

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ₡712

$1.34 ₡657

$1.62 ₡791

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

$37.3K ₡18.2M

$36.2K ₡17.7M

$39.5K ₡19.3M

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

$32.4K ₡15.9M

$34.7K ₡16.9M

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

$95.5 ₡46.6K

$60.7 ₡29.7K

$182 ₡89K

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

$25.68 ₡12.5K

$19.71 ₡9,630

$49.28 ₡24.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.3 ₡25.5K

$39.6 ₡19.3K

$83.2 ₡40.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.6 ₡27.6K

$39.61 ₡19.3K

$79.2 ₡38.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.62 ₡11.5K

$7.88 ₡3,848

$23.62 ₡11.5K

Cinema Ticket

$9.85 ₡4,810

$6.89 ₡3,365

$14.76 ₡7,213

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

$533 ₡260.3K

$403 ₡197K

$938 ₡458.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K ₡6.3M

$6,532 ₡3.2M

$19.7K ₡9.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62 ₡30.3K

$39.46 ₡19.3K

$118 ₡57.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.7 ₡24.8K

$39.38 ₡19.2K

$68.5 ₡33.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡62.5K

$91 ₡44.4K

$152 ₡74.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 ₡53.4K

$50.6 ₡24.7K

$162 ₡79K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$756 ₡369.1K

$491 ₡240.1K

$1,186 ₡579.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$587 ₡286.7K

$352 ₡172K

$783 ₡382.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,546 ₡755.3K

$914 ₡446.4K

$1,828 ₡893K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$969 ₡473.4K

$600 ₡293.2K

$1,207 ₡589.5K

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 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.