Cost of Living in Santa Teresa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $839 (excluding rent), and $1,512 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,061 (excluding rent), and $3,056 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.14 ₡4,953

$7.09 ₡3,464

$22.29 ₡10.9K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.24 ₡20.6K

$39.3 ₡19.2K

$98.2 ₡48K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.48 ₡4,632

$9.03 ₡4,412

$11.91 ₡5,817

Cappuccino

$3.73 ₡1,821

$1.97 ₡964

$6.86 ₡3,354

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

$1.97 ₡964

$1.52 ₡744

$3.11 ₡1,517

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 ₡771

$1.16 ₡566

$1.94 ₡947

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.9 ₡1,417

$1.94 ₡946

$4.84 ₡2,363

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.61 ₡2,253

$2.94 ₡1,437

$5.89 ₡2,880

Milk (1 liter)

$1.98 ₡970

$1.41 ₡690

$2.75 ₡1,341

White Bread (500g)

$2.91 ₡1,419

$1.27 ₡622

$4.5 ₡2,197

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 ₡1,055

$1.76 ₡862

$3.92 ₡1,917

Eggs

$2.89 ₡1,414

$1.95 ₡951

$5.13 ₡2,508

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.2 ₡4,982

$4.08 ₡1,993

$20.38 ₡9,958

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.08 ₡4,436

$4.95 ₡2,417

$12.67 ₡6,192

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.7 ₡6,693

$9.97 ₡4,872

$15.95 ₡7,790

Apples (1kg)

$4.44 ₡2,171

$2.74 ₡1,341

$6.58 ₡3,213

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 ₡705

$0.58 ₡286

$2.33 ₡1,138

Oranges (1kg)

$4.13 ₡2,016

$1.96 ₡960

$5.89 ₡2,879

Tomato (1kg)

$3.07 ₡1,500

$1.93 ₡945

$7.73 ₡3,778

Potato (1kg)

$3.35 ₡1,637

$1.82 ₡888

$7.07 ₡3,452

Onion (1kg)

$2.53 ₡1,236

$1.65 ₡807

$4.45 ₡2,172

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ₡501

$0.89 ₡435

$1.23 ₡602

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.8 ₡1,367

$1.93 ₡945

$3.38 ₡1,652

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.09 ₡2,486

$4.07 ₡1,991

$5.7 ₡2,786

Wine (Bottle)

$14.2 ₡6,938

$10.14 ₡4,954

$30.43 ₡14.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.32 ₡1,135

$1.56 ₡761

$2.95 ₡1,441

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 ₡1,250

$1.97 ₡962

$5.48 ₡2,678

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ₡460

$0.76 ₡371

$1.32 ₡645

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.78 ₡868

$1.35 ₡659

$1.93 ₡944

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 ₡876

$1.36 ₡664

$2.33 ₡1,140

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.12 ₡3,969

$7.28 ₡3,556

$9.22 ₡4,502

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.4 ₡682

$1.29 ₡629

$1.56 ₡763

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

$37.5K ₡18.3M

$36.5K ₡17.8M

$39.7K ₡19.4M

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

$32K ₡15.7M

$34.2K ₡16.7M

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

$83.7 ₡40.9K

$56.5 ₡27.6K

$130 ₡63.3K

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

$26.27 ₡12.8K

$20.17 ₡9,854

$50.4 ₡24.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.9 ₡24.9K

$40.35 ₡19.7K

$84.7 ₡41.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.86 ₡24.4K

$39.89 ₡19.5K

$59.8 ₡29.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.65 ₡11.6K

$7.89 ₡3,853

$23.65 ₡11.6K

Cinema Ticket

$8.84 ₡4,317

$6.87 ₡3,357

$14.73 ₡7,197

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

$570 ₡278.3K

$399 ₡194.7K

$927 ₡452.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.9K ₡6.3M

$6,569 ₡3.2M

$19.8K ₡9.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.1 ₡30.8K

$40.17 ₡19.6K

$121 ₡58.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 ₡25.4K

$40.48 ₡19.8K

$70.5 ₡34.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$126 ₡61.5K

$89.5 ₡43.7K

$149 ₡72.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 ₡52K

$49.25 ₡24.1K

$158 ₡77K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$688 ₡336K

$491 ₡240K

$1,186 ₡579.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$591 ₡288.9K

$355 ₡173.3K

$788 ₡385.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,449 ₡708.1K

$904 ₡441.5K

$2,014 ₡983.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$969 ₡473.5K

$600 ₡293.2K

$1,207 ₡589.7K

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 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Santa Teresa - Frequently Asked Questions

For many visitors and remote workers, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica represents a favorable balance between tropical lifestyle and practical budgeting. Cost of Living in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is shaped by beachfront dining and the pace of the town, with choices from casual sodas to boutique eateries. Housing ranges from modest bungalows to modern rental homes, often with garden space and a short walk to the beach, which matters for daily routines. Groceries can be pricier for imported items, while local produce and fish offer value if you shop at markets. Seasonal swings affect crowds and turnover, so you can negotiate longer stays. Tip: Align your housing with your work routine and aim for flexible leases.

Daily life in Santa Teresa balances simple pleasures with practical logistics for longer stays. Housing options cluster around beach paths and the jungle edge, with many rentals offered directly by owners – look for flexible terms and inclusive utilities. For meals, you’ll find inexpensive local eateries and fresh seafood at markets, while imported goods keep prices higher. Transportation relies on scooters, small shuttle services, and occasional taxis; a bike can cover most errands. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica living cost fluctuates with seasons, shaping crowds, availability, and quiet times in different neighborhoods. Tip: choose a central base in Cobano or Mal País to optimize access to beach, groceries, and coworking spots.

Quality of life in Santa Teresa blends natural beauty with a compact, friendly vibe. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs from flexible daily spend, and reserve more for seasonal activities like longer beach days or rainy afternoons. Look for neighborhoods that fit your rhythm – the longer beach stretches tend to be quieter mornings, while the village center brings more coffee shops and errands. Save by cooking at home, buying from local markets, and joining coworking spaces with occasional member deals. Seasonal winds and rains influence how you plan outdoor activities, but the overall pace remains welcoming for long stays. Tip: test a one-month trial in a couple of nearby areas to feel your fit.