Cost of Living in San Pedro - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $911 (excluding rent), and $1,591 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,507 (excluding rent), and $3,231 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.92 ₡4,987

$6.95 ₡3,173

$21.83 ₡9,975

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.2 ₡27.0K

$39.45 ₡18.0K

$99.2 ₡45.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.77 ₡4,463

$11.71 ₡5,351

Cappuccino

$3.87 ₡1,768

$2.02 ₡921

$7.05 ₡3,222

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

$2.03 ₡929

$1.57 ₡717

$3.02 ₡1,380

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 ₡760

$1.22 ₡558

$3.08 ₡1,407

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 ₡1,346

$1.97 ₡899

$4.91 ₡2,245

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.70 ₡2,147

$3.00 ₡1,370

$6.01 ₡2,745

Milk (1 liter)

$1.97 ₡900

$1.46 ₡667

$2.73 ₡1,245

White Bread (500g)

$2.80 ₡1,279

$1.23 ₡560

$4.33 ₡1,979

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 ₡984

$1.76 ₡804

$3.92 ₡1,789

Eggs

$2.93 ₡1,337

$1.97 ₡899

$3.94 ₡1,798

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.03 ₡4,580

$4.01 ₡1,832

$20.04 ₡9,155

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.09 ₡4,151

$4.95 ₡2,262

$10.90 ₡4,979

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.88 ₡6,342

$10.30 ₡4,704

$16.16 ₡7,381

Apples (1kg)

$4.57 ₡2,089

$2.82 ₡1,290

$6.07 ₡2,771

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 ₡665

$0.59 ₡270

$2.35 ₡1,074

Oranges (1kg)

$4.36 ₡1,994

$2.04 ₡931

$6.12 ₡2,794

Tomato (1kg)

$3.47 ₡1,583

$1.97 ₡900

$7.88 ₡3,601

Potato (1kg)

$3.44 ₡1,572

$1.89 ₡866

$6.90 ₡3,154

Onion (1kg)

$3.19 ₡1,455

$2.00 ₡914

$4.57 ₡2,089

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ₡470

$0.89 ₡408

$1.03 ₡470

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 ₡1,288

$2.14 ₡979

$3.41 ₡1,556

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.18 ₡2,367

$3.91 ₡1,788

$5.48 ₡2,502

Wine (Bottle)

$21.39 ₡9,770

$10.69 ₡4,885

$32.09 ₡14.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 ₡1,160

$1.72 ₡784

$3.09 ₡1,413

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 ₡1,349

$2.13 ₡973

$5.73 ₡2,618

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 ₡446

$0.79 ₡361

$1.14 ₡519

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.80 ₡824

$1.37 ₡626

$1.96 ₡896

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 ₡815

$1.35 ₡618

$2.32 ₡1,062

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.82 ₡3,571

$7.00 ₡3,200

$8.87 ₡4,051

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ₡646

$1.30 ₡596

$1.47 ₡673

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

$38.2K ₡17.5M

$37.1K ₡17.0M

$40.5K ₡18.5M

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

$32.1K ₡14.7M

$34.3K ₡15.7M

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

$94.7 ₡43.3K

$60.2 ₡27.5K

$131 ₡59.6K

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

$25.46 ₡11.6K

$19.55 ₡8,929

$48.87 ₡22.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.7 ₡27.3K

$39.82 ₡18.2K

$83.6 ₡38.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.4 ₡26.2K

$40.17 ₡18.4K

$80.4 ₡36.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.76 ₡10.9K

$7.92 ₡3,620

$23.76 ₡10.9K

Cinema Ticket

$10.00 ₡4,567

$8.00 ₡3,654

$14.99 ₡6,848

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

$564 ₡257.8K

$395 ₡180.4K

$918 ₡419.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.6K ₡5.8M

$9,945 ₡4.5M

$19.5K ₡8.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.5 ₡28.1K

$39.15 ₡17.9K

$117 ₡53.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.9 ₡23.7K

$40.32 ₡18.4K

$70.2 ₡32.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡58.3K

$90.7 ₡41.5K

$151 ₡69.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 ₡49.2K

$49.88 ₡22.8K

$160 ₡72.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$773 ₡353.2K

$503 ₡229.7K

$1,213 ₡554.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$586 ₡267.6K

$351 ₡160.6K

$781 ₡356.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,507 ₡688.5K

$891 ₡406.9K

$1,782 ₡814.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$977 ₡446.5K

$605 ₡276.5K

$1,217 ₡556.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

San Pedro Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in San Pedro - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in San Pedro, Costa Rica reflects a balance between affordable everyday options and pockets of higher value areas near services. You can find inexpensive street food and fresh produce at markets, while casual cafes and international dining tilt toward mid-range. Utilities stay reasonable if you select a well-insulated place, and rents vary by distance from the university and central hubs. Transportation is manageable with buses and rideshares, and walking is pleasant in many streets. If you target quieter residential lanes, you can stretch a daily budget further without sacrificing access to amenities. Tip: visit several neighborhoods during a short stay to gauge what fits your routine.

Daily life centers on a mix of local markets, casual eateries, and student-friendly spots. For housing, you’ll find a spectrum from shared apartments to newer flats; proximity to services often affects price. Food choices range from vibrant puestos and sodas to supermarkets with international brands; cooking at home tends to stretch your budget versus dining out. Transport is practical through a network of buses and rideshares, with biking and walking routes common in central areas. For errands and coworking, several flexible workspaces offer reliable wifi and short commutes. San Pedro, Costa Rica living cost varies by block, so test a few routes before committing to a lease. Tip: ride the bus during non-peak hours to save.

You can frame your budget around three buckets: housing, daily living (food, utilities, errands), and mobility. Start by identifying two or three neighborhood vibes that suit your pace – near the university for a livelier scene or toward residential rows for quieter days. In dry versus rainy seasons, plan for occasional weather-related costs but prices stay relatively stable; the biggest shifts come from longer stays and local promotions. To save, favor longer leases, buy staples at markets, and use public transit or bikes. A simple weekly check-in helps you spot drift before it grows. Tip: set a cap for dining out and reserve it for weekends.