Cost of Living in San Rafael - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $809 (excluding rent), and $1,601 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,935 (excluding rent), and $3,276 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.80 ₡5,084

$6.87 ₡3,234

$21.60 ₡10.2K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.7 ₡27.6K

$39.10 ₡18.4K

$97.8 ₡46.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.05 ₡4,730

$12.05 ₡5,671

Cappuccino

$3.90 ₡1,838

$2.03 ₡957

$7.08 ₡3,331

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

$1.98 ₡933

$1.53 ₡721

$2.93 ₡1,377

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 ₡753

$1.18 ₡553

$1.97 ₡925

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.03 ₡1,428

$2.03 ₡953

$5.06 ₡2,381

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.74 ₡2,232

$3.03 ₡1,425

$6.06 ₡2,854

Milk (1 liter)

$2.07 ₡974

$1.53 ₡722

$2.86 ₡1,347

White Bread (500g)

$2.85 ₡1,340

$1.25 ₡587

$4.41 ₡2,074

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.22 ₡1,044

$1.81 ₡853

$4.03 ₡1,897

Eggs

$3.02 ₡1,420

$2.03 ₡954

$4.06 ₡1,909

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.12 ₡4,762

$4.05 ₡1,905

$20.23 ₡9,520

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.99 ₡4,232

$4.90 ₡2,306

$10.79 ₡5,076

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.92 ₡6,552

$10.33 ₡4,860

$16.20 ₡7,625

Apples (1kg)

$4.54 ₡2,137

$2.80 ₡1,320

$6.02 ₡2,835

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 ₡689

$0.59 ₡279

$2.36 ₡1,112

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 ₡2,035

$2.02 ₡950

$6.06 ₡2,851

Tomato (1kg)

$3.47 ₡1,634

$1.97 ₡929

$7.89 ₡3,715

Potato (1kg)

$3.57 ₡1,680

$1.96 ₡925

$7.16 ₡3,370

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 ₡1,455

$1.94 ₡913

$4.44 ₡2,088

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ₡487

$0.90 ₡423

$1.03 ₡487

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 ₡1,326

$2.14 ₡1,009

$3.41 ₡1,603

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.13 ₡2,416

$3.88 ₡1,824

$5.42 ₡2,553

Wine (Bottle)

$20.28 ₡9,547

$10.68 ₡5,025

$32.03 ₡15.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.41 ₡1,132

$1.63 ₡766

$2.93 ₡1,380

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.79 ₡1,311

$2.01 ₡946

$5.41 ₡2,545

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.00 ₡473

$0.81 ₡382

$1.17 ₡549

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.87 ₡880

$1.42 ₡668

$2.03 ₡957

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 ₡851

$1.37 ₡645

$2.35 ₡1,108

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.86 ₡3,699

$7.04 ₡3,315

$8.92 ₡4,196

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ₡685

$1.34 ₡632

$1.52 ₡714

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

$37.3K ₡17.6M

$36.3K ₡17.1M

$39.5K ₡18.6M

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

$32.8K ₡15.4M

$35.0K ₡16.5M

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

$94.7 ₡44.6K

$60.2 ₡28.3K

$130 ₡61.4K

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

$26.18 ₡12.3K

$20.10 ₡9,459

$50.3 ₡23.7K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.6 ₡28.0K

$39.72 ₡18.7K

$83.4 ₡39.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.0 ₡26.9K

$39.94 ₡18.8K

$79.9 ₡37.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.33 ₡11.5K

$8.11 ₡3,819

$24.33 ₡11.5K

Cinema Ticket

$9.70 ₡4,565

$7.76 ₡3,652

$14.54 ₡6,845

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

$563 ₡265.0K

$394 ₡185.4K

$916 ₡431.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.9K ₡6.1M

$10.1K ₡4.8M

$19.8K ₡9.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.9 ₡29.6K

$40.05 ₡18.8K

$120 ₡56.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.8 ₡24.4K

$40.27 ₡19.0K

$70.1 ₡33.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 ₡60.4K

$91.2 ₡42.9K

$152 ₡71.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 ₡51.4K

$50.5 ₡23.8K

$162 ₡76.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$751 ₡353.4K

$488 ₡229.8K

$1,178 ₡554.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$599 ₡281.9K

$359 ₡169.2K

$799 ₡375.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,536 ₡723.0K

$908 ₡427.3K

$1,816 ₡854.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$948 ₡446.1K

$587 ₡276.2K

$1,180 ₡555.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

San Rafael Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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 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.