Cost of Living in San Rafael - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $905 (excluding rent), and $1,610 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,221 (excluding rent), and $3,287 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11 ₡5,505

$7 ₡3,502

$21.99 ₡11K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.8 ₡30.4K

$40.53 ₡20.3K

$101 ₡50.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.17 ₡5,091

$12.19 ₡6,104

Cappuccino

$3.92 ₡1,960

$2.04 ₡1,021

$7.1 ₡3,552

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

$2 ₡999

$1.54 ₡772

$2.95 ₡1,474

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 ₡833

$1.22 ₡612

$2.04 ₡1,023

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.02 ₡1,512

$2.02 ₡1,010

$5.04 ₡2,521

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.69 ₡2,349

$2.99 ₡1,499

$6 ₡3,002

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ₡1,026

$1.52 ₡761

$2.84 ₡1,419

White Bread (500g)

$2.9 ₡1,452

$1.27 ₡636

$4.49 ₡2,248

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 ₡1,121

$1.83 ₡917

$4.07 ₡2,038

Eggs

$2.89 ₡1,448

$1.94 ₡973

$3.89 ₡1,947

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.78 ₡4,897

$3.91 ₡1,959

$19.55 ₡9,789

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.94 ₡4,474

$4.87 ₡2,438

$10.72 ₡5,367

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.85 ₡6,933

$10.27 ₡5,143

$16.12 ₡8,069

Apples (1kg)

$4.47 ₡2,238

$2.76 ₡1,383

$5.93 ₡2,969

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 ₡753

$0.61 ₡305

$2.43 ₡1,216

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 ₡2,092

$1.95 ₡977

$5.86 ₡2,932

Tomato (1kg)

$3.59 ₡1,795

$2.04 ₡1,021

$8.15 ₡4,082

Potato (1kg)

$3.52 ₡1,762

$1.94 ₡970

$7.06 ₡3,535

Onion (1kg)

$3.2 ₡1,603

$2.01 ₡1,006

$4.6 ₡2,301

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.97 ₡485

$0.84 ₡421

$0.97 ₡485

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.8 ₡1,403

$2.13 ₡1,067

$3.39 ₡1,695

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.22 ₡2,615

$3.94 ₡1,975

$5.52 ₡2,764

Wine (Bottle)

$19.79 ₡9,909

$12.87 ₡6,441

$29.69 ₡14.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.52 ₡1,263

$1.71 ₡854

$3.08 ₡1,540

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 ₡1,446

$2.08 ₡1,043

$5.6 ₡2,806

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 ₡482

$0.78 ₡389

$1.12 ₡559

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ₡909

$1.38 ₡690

$1.97 ₡988

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.8 ₡903

$1.37 ₡685

$2.35 ₡1,176

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.05 ₡4,028

$7.21 ₡3,609

$9.13 ₡4,569

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ₡730

$1.35 ₡674

$1.52 ₡761

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

$37.7K ₡18.9M

$36.6K ₡18.3M

$39.9K ₡20M

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

$33.2K ₡16.6M

$35.5K ₡17.8M

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

$94.8 ₡47.4K

$60.3 ₡30.2K

$131 ₡65.4K

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

$25.73 ₡12.9K

$19.75 ₡9,889

$49.39 ₡24.7K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.7 ₡29.4K

$39.13 ₡19.6K

$82.2 ₡41.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.02 ₡24.5K

$34.32 ₡17.2K

$68.7 ₡34.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.07 ₡10.5K

$7.03 ₡3,518

$21.07 ₡10.5K

Cinema Ticket

$9.88 ₡4,947

$7.91 ₡3,958

$14.82 ₡7,418

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

$559 ₡279.8K

$391 ₡195.8K

$909 ₡455.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.6K ₡6.3M

$9,902 ₡5M

$19.4K ₡9.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.7 ₡31.4K

$39.94 ₡20K

$120 ₡60K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 ₡25.6K

$39.77 ₡19.9K

$69.2 ₡34.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$127 ₡63.4K

$90.1 ₡45.1K

$150 ₡75.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 ₡53.5K

$49.48 ₡24.8K

$158 ₡79.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$652 ₡326.2K

$424 ₡212.1K

$1,023 ₡511.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$659 ₡329.8K

$395 ₡197.9K

$878 ₡439.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,633 ₡817.4K

$965 ₡483.1K

$1,931 ₡966.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,040 ₡520.6K

$644 ₡322.4K

$1,295 ₡648.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

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Cost of Living in San Rafael - Frequently Asked Questions

San Rafael, Costa Rica offers a balanced mix of affordability and quality of life, especially if you value a quieter pace and access to nature. You may find housing options that are more flexible and neighborhood-driven than in bigger cities, with a range of rental styles from apartments to small houses. Local markets and casual eateries help keep daily costs reasonable, while you’ll find that imported goods and certain services cost more. Cost of Living in San Rafael, Costa Rica can be approachable for many budgets, especially if you choose longer leases and cook at home. Tip: Start with a short stay in a neighborhood you like, then extend if you enjoy it.

You search for housing through a mix of local agents, Facebook groups, and strolls through neighborhoods you like; short-term rentals help test fit before committing to a longer lease. For meals, you’ll find plenty of fresh produce at mercados, with inexpensive sodas (small local eateries) offering reliable daily options. Public transport is practical, with frequent buses and rideshares for longer trips; many digital nomads choose a bike or scooter for short hops. Co-working spaces or cafe Wi‑Fi spots provide working setups, but consistency varies by area. The San Rafael, Costa Rica living cost balances value with lifestyle, making it practical to work and explore. Tip: Build a flexible routine to adapt to rain or sun.

Quality of life hinges on choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace and access needs. A practical approach is to prioritize stable housing first, then food and transport, while leaving room for occasional experiences. Seasonal shifts influence outdoor plans, with rainier months bringing lush scenery and cooler breezes in higher spots. Look for neighborhoods near markets, parks, and reliable Wi‑Fi spots to support work life. Try a few routes on foot or by bike to gauge daily convenience before settling in a long-term rental. Tip: Use local markets for fresh produce and test different cafe and workspace environments to find your fit.