Cost of Living in San Juan - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $956 (excluding rent), and $1,586 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,484 (excluding rent), and $3,223 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.77 ₡5,260

$6.85 ₡3,346

$21.53 ₡10.5K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.4 ₡29K

$39.61 ₡19.4K

$99 ₡48.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.19 ₡4,979

$12.22 ₡5,970

Cappuccino

$3.72 ₡1,820

$1.94 ₡948

$6.75 ₡3,298

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

$2.08 ₡1,016

$1.61 ₡785

$3.07 ₡1,499

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.6 ₡779

$1.17 ₡572

$1.96 ₡957

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.02 ₡1,477

$2.02 ₡986

$5.04 ₡2,463

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.81 ₡2,348

$3.07 ₡1,498

$6.14 ₡3,002

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ₡956

$1.45 ₡709

$2.71 ₡1,323

White Bread (500g)

$2.91 ₡1,420

$1.27 ₡622

$4.5 ₡2,198

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.2 ₡1,075

$1.8 ₡879

$4 ₡1,953

Eggs

$2.95 ₡1,440

$1.98 ₡968

$3.96 ₡1,937

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.83 ₡4,802

$3.93 ₡1,921

$19.65 ₡9,599

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.26 ₡4,523

$5.05 ₡2,465

$11.11 ₡5,426

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.52 ₡6,603

$10.03 ₡4,898

$15.73 ₡7,686

Apples (1kg)

$4.62 ₡2,256

$2.85 ₡1,394

$6.13 ₡2,993

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ₡741

$0.61 ₡300

$2.45 ₡1,196

Oranges (1kg)

$4.16 ₡2,033

$1.94 ₡950

$5.83 ₡2,850

Tomato (1kg)

$3.4 ₡1,663

$1.94 ₡945

$7.74 ₡3,781

Potato (1kg)

$3.52 ₡1,717

$1.94 ₡945

$7.05 ₡3,445

Onion (1kg)

$3.13 ₡1,529

$1.97 ₡960

$4.49 ₡2,195

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 ₡462

$0.82 ₡402

$0.95 ₡462

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.86 ₡1,399

$2.18 ₡1,064

$3.46 ₡1,690

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.21 ₡2,547

$3.94 ₡1,923

$5.51 ₡2,692

Wine (Bottle)

$18.45 ₡9,016

$10.25 ₡5,009

$30.75 ₡15K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.4 ₡1,174

$1.63 ₡794

$2.93 ₡1,431

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 ₡1,431

$2.11 ₡1,032

$5.69 ₡2,778

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 ₡474

$0.78 ₡383

$1.13 ₡550

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ₡909

$1.41 ₡691

$2.02 ₡989

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 ₡873

$1.36 ₡662

$2.33 ₡1,137

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.82 ₡3,821

$7.01 ₡3,424

$8.87 ₡4,334

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.39 ₡681

$1.29 ₡629

$1.45 ₡710

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

$38.3K ₡18.7M

$37.2K ₡18.2M

$40.5K ₡19.8M

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

$33K ₡16.1M

$35.3K ₡17.2M

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

$94.2 ₡46K

$59.9 ₡29.3K

$130 ₡63.4K

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

$25.75 ₡12.6K

$19.77 ₡9,659

$49.43 ₡24.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.7 ₡28.7K

$39.15 ₡19.1K

$82.2 ₡40.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.3 ₡27.5K

$39.41 ₡19.3K

$78.8 ₡38.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.59 ₡11.5K

$7.87 ₡3,843

$23.59 ₡11.5K

Cinema Ticket

$9.81 ₡4,790

$7.84 ₡3,832

$14.7 ₡7,183

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

$568 ₡277.3K

$397 ₡194K

$923 ₡451.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.1M

$9,837 ₡4.8M

$19.3K ₡9.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.6 ₡30.1K

$39.23 ₡19.2K

$118 ₡57.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.7 ₡24.8K

$39.42 ₡19.3K

$68.6 ₡33.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$127 ₡62K

$90.2 ₡44.1K

$150 ₡73.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 ₡51.9K

$49.15 ₡24K

$157 ₡76.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$756 ₡369.3K

$492 ₡240.1K

$1,186 ₡579.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$603 ₡294.6K

$362 ₡176.8K

$804 ₡392.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,510 ₡737.7K

$893 ₡436K

$1,786 ₡872.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$976 ₡476.9K

$604 ₡295.3K

$1,216 ₡593.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in San Juan - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in San Juan, Costa Rica varies by neighborhood, but the overall vibe balances reasonable prices with quality services. You can find comfortable short-term stays and reliable internet without paying a premium for the most touristy zones. Budget-minded visitors tend to trade beachfront convenience for longer commutes to markets and coworking spaces. Shops, cafes, and public services are typically accessible, and local eateries offer affordable options with flavor. Tip: Map a few neighborhoods and try a week of stay in each to gauge value against your routine.

Daily life centers on a practical mix of conveniences and nature. Housing ranges from compact apartments to newer builds near services; rents and terms depend on location, size, and view. For food, local markets offer fresh produce, and casual eateries provide affordable meals; cooking at home helps reduce costs. Transport leans on reliable buses, shared rides, or bicycles, with walkable town centers making errands short. Co-working spaces and cafés with dependable Wi‑Fi support remote work for many travelers and locals. San Juan, Costa Rica living cost shifts with neighborhood choice and personal routine. Tip: Track a simple weekly budget and test several neighborhoods before deciding where to settle.

Quality of life depends on fit: safety, access to nature, reliable internet, and community. A simple budgeting framework works well: cover needs first (rental, utilities, groceries), set a practical cap for discretionary spend, and reserve a small savings buffer. Use a two-tier housing plan: a short-term base near services, and seasonal adjustments if pricing shifts during peak travel months. Explore neighborhoods by visiting at different times of day, check walkability, transit options, and local markets. Seasonality affects activity costs and crowding, so plan busy periods for experiences you truly value and lean into calmer months for longer stays. Tip: Keep a flexible plan and document monthly expenses to spot savings.