Cost of Living in Santa Teresa - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $867 (excluding rent), and $1,530 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,041 (excluding rent), and $3,127 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.09 ₡4,628

$7.06 ₡3,237

$22.19 ₡10.2K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.91 ₡19.7K

$39.92 ₡18.3K

$99.8 ₡45.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.54 ₡4,376

$9.09 ₡4,169

$11.98 ₡5,496

Cappuccino

$3.77 ₡1,728

$1.99 ₡914

$6.94 ₡3,182

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

$1.96 ₡900

$1.51 ₡695

$3.09 ₡1,416

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 ₡732

$1.17 ₡538

$1.96 ₡899

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.01 ₡1,383

$2.01 ₡923

$5.03 ₡2,306

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.69 ₡2,150

$2.99 ₡1,372

$5.99 ₡2,748

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 ₡929

$1.44 ₡661

$2.80 ₡1,284

White Bread (500g)

$2.77 ₡1,268

$1.21 ₡556

$4.28 ₡1,963

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 ₡1,032

$1.84 ₡843

$4.09 ₡1,875

Eggs

$3.04 ₡1,395

$2.04 ₡938

$5.39 ₡2,474

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.16 ₡4,660

$4.06 ₡1,864

$20.31 ₡9,315

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.03 ₡4,143

$4.92 ₡2,257

$12.61 ₡5,782

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.56 ₡6,221

$9.87 ₡4,528

$15.78 ₡7,240

Apples (1kg)

$4.39 ₡2,014

$2.71 ₡1,244

$6.50 ₡2,981

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 ₡660

$0.58 ₡268

$2.32 ₡1,066

Oranges (1kg)

$4.13 ₡1,893

$1.97 ₡901

$5.90 ₡2,704

Tomato (1kg)

$3.10 ₡1,421

$1.95 ₡895

$7.80 ₡3,579

Potato (1kg)

$3.27 ₡1,502

$1.78 ₡815

$6.91 ₡3,167

Onion (1kg)

$2.56 ₡1,172

$1.67 ₡765

$4.49 ₡2,059

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 ₡435

$0.82 ₡378

$1.14 ₡523

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 ₡1,342

$2.02 ₡927

$3.54 ₡1,622

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.00 ₡2,294

$4.00 ₡1,837

$5.60 ₡2,571

Wine (Bottle)

$14.03 ₡6,437

$10.02 ₡4,596

$30.07 ₡13.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.42 ₡1,110

$1.62 ₡744

$3.07 ₡1,409

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.54 ₡1,166

$1.95 ₡897

$5.44 ₡2,497

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.95 ₡437

$0.77 ₡353

$1.34 ₡613

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ₡852

$1.41 ₡647

$2.02 ₡927

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 ₡849

$1.40 ₡644

$2.41 ₡1,105

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.01 ₡3,675

$7.18 ₡3,293

$9.09 ₡4,169

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 ₡673

$1.35 ₡621

$1.64 ₡752

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

$38.4K ₡17.6M

$37.3K ₡17.1M

$40.6K ₡18.6M

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

$32.8K ₡15.0M

$35.0K ₡16.1M

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

$82.4 ₡37.8K

$55.6 ₡25.5K

$128 ₡58.5K

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

$26.05 ₡11.9K

$20.00 ₡9,173

$50.0 ₡22.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.3 ₡23.1K

$39.88 ₡18.3K

$83.7 ₡38.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.2 ₡23.0K

$40.15 ₡18.4K

$60.2 ₡27.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.94 ₡11.0K

$7.98 ₡3,663

$23.94 ₡11.0K

Cinema Ticket

$8.90 ₡4,084

$6.92 ₡3,176

$14.84 ₡6,808

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

$561 ₡257.4K

$393 ₡180.1K

$913 ₡418.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.6K ₡5.8M

$6,437 ₡3.0M

$19.4K ₡8.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 ₡29.1K

$40.43 ₡18.5K

$121 ₡55.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.9 ₡23.3K

$39.55 ₡18.1K

$68.8 ₡31.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$125 ₡57.2K

$88.6 ₡40.6K

$148 ₡67.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 ₡49.3K

$49.80 ₡22.8K

$159 ₡73.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$707 ₡324.4K

$505 ₡231.7K

$1,219 ₡559.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$585 ₡268.3K

$351 ₡161.0K

$780 ₡357.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,439 ₡660.0K

$897 ₡411.5K

$1,999 ₡916.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$955 ₡438.2K

$592 ₡271.4K

$1,190 ₡545.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

Santa Teresa 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 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.