Cost of Living in Tamarindo - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,025 (excluding rent), and $1,794 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,995 (excluding rent), and $3,213 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.96 ₡5,375

$6.98 ₡3,419

$21.93 ₡10.7K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.6 ₡29.7K

$40.4 ₡19.8K

$102 ₡49.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.37 ₡4,591

$8.92 ₡4,374

$11.76 ₡5,766

Cappuccino

$3.75 ₡1,837

$1.95 ₡957

$6.79 ₡3,330

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

$1.97 ₡964

$1.52 ₡745

$3.49 ₡1,709

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 ₡814

$1.22 ₡598

$2.26 ₡1,110

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.03 ₡1,488

$2.03 ₡993

$7.49 ₡3,669

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.59 ₡2,252

$2.93 ₡1,437

$5.9 ₡2,893

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 ₡992

$1.5 ₡735

$6.04 ₡2,961

White Bread (500g)

$2.78 ₡1,363

$1.22 ₡597

$4.91 ₡2,409

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.13 ₡1,046

$1.74 ₡855

$3.88 ₡1,901

Eggs

$2.94 ₡1,441

$1.98 ₡969

$5.96 ₡2,921

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.65 ₡4,732

$3.86 ₡1,893

$29.1 ₡14.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.37 ₡4,591

$5.1 ₡2,502

$13.35 ₡6,544

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.92 ₡6,822

$9.93 ₡4,866

$20.36 ₡9,981

Apples (1kg)

$4.38 ₡2,149

$2.71 ₡1,328

$7.79 ₡3,821

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 ₡711

$0.59 ₡288

$3.12 ₡1,528

Oranges (1kg)

$3.1 ₡1,521

$1.95 ₡955

$5.84 ₡2,865

Tomato (1kg)

$3.52 ₡1,727

$2 ₡982

$8.01 ₡3,927

Potato (1kg)

$2.33 ₡1,142

$1.55 ₡758

$6.9 ₡3,384

Onion (1kg)

$3.07 ₡1,504

$2.04 ₡1,001

$4.67 ₡2,289

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.96 ₡469

$0.83 ₡407

$1.34 ₡658

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.95 ₡1,446

$1.63 ₡798

$4.1 ₡2,008

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.99 ₡2,445

$4.06 ₡1,990

$5.68 ₡2,786

Wine (Bottle)

$12.15 ₡5,956

$6.07 ₡2,978

$30.37 ₡14.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.5 ₡1,227

$1.61 ₡790

$4.05 ₡1,988

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 ₡1,387

$2.04 ₡1,000

$5.49 ₡2,692

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.91 ₡938

$1.21 ₡591

$2.62 ₡1,286

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$56.6 ₡27.8K

$35.41 ₡17.4K

$77.9 ₡38.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ₡914

$1.42 ₡694

$4.06 ₡1,988

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 ₡886

$1.37 ₡672

$3.92 ₡1,923

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.76 ₡2,825

$5.51 ₡2,702

$9.02 ₡4,421

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ₡707

$1.33 ₡652

$1.8 ₡885

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

$36.6K ₡17.9M

$34.2K ₡16.8M

$40.7K ₡19.9M

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

$33.1K ₡16.2M

$37.7K ₡18.5M

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

$94.8 ₡46.5K

$60.3 ₡29.5K

$172 ₡84.1K

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

$22.26 ₡10.9K

$20.1 ₡9,854

$50.3 ₡24.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.6 ₡25.3K

$39.09 ₡19.2K

$82.1 ₡40.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.3 ₡48.2K

$50.1 ₡24.6K

$125 ₡61.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.99 ₡11.8K

$8 ₡3,922

$23.99 ₡11.8K

Cinema Ticket

$6.79 ₡3,329

$14.56 ₡7,137

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

$520 ₡255.1K

$394 ₡193.2K

$916 ₡449.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,987 ₡4.4M

$6,570 ₡3.2M

$19.8K ₡9.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.2 ₡30.5K

$39.64 ₡19.4K

$119 ₡58.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.46 ₡11.5K

$68.4 ₡33.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 ₡52.7K

$88 ₡43.1K

$147 ₡71.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 ₡52.5K

$49.62 ₡24.3K

$159 ₡77.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,788 ₡876.6K

$1,414 ₡693.3K

$1,975 ₡968.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$790 ₡387K

$580 ₡284.5K

$999 ₡489.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,023 ₡1.5M

$909 ₡445.7K

$3,023 ₡1.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$896 ₡439.2K

$597 ₡292.8K

$1,201 ₡588.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,345 ₡2.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,218 ₡1.6M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$872 ₡427.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: November 22, 2025

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Cost of Living in Tamarindo - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Tamarindo offers a workable balance of value and lifestyle for short stays and longer moves. It is more affordable than top resort towns but not as cheap as inland towns. You will find budget-friendly guesthouses, mid-range apartments, and higher-end rentals depending on location and season. For Cost of Living in Tamarindo, Costa Rica living cost you will notice housing and dining options that cater to nomads and longer-term residents, with prices nudging upward near the beach and during peak season. Utilities and reliable internet help you work, while local markets let you cook to save. Budget tips: share housing, shop at farmers markets, and consider a place a short walk from the beachfront to balance convenience and cost. Tip: time your stay with the seasons to snag deals.

Daily life in Tamarindo blends beach-town ease with enough amenities for work and social life. Housing search tends to start with online listings and local contacts; you will find everything from compact condos to roomy villas, with longer leases often bringing better value. Food options span casual sodas, modern cafes, and international spots, plus a weekly farmers market to stretch your budget. Getting around is flexible: a scooter or bike covers most errands, and rideshares work for longer trips. Co-working spaces are popular, with day passes or small memberships. Tamarindo, Costa Rica living cost adjusts with the season, but there are affordable pockets outside peak weeks. Tip: Map a weekly plan to balance work, beach time, and errands.

Quality of life depends on neighborhood vibe and pace. Central Tamarindo is best for walkable access to shops, but it is busiest during peak season. Langosta offers a quieter, more upscale feel and easier beach access without the crowds. For budgeting, set a simple framework: fixed costs (rent, utilities, phone) plus variable costs (groceries, dining, gas, activities). Seasonality matters: the dry season brings more events and higher demand, while the wet season can lower prices and crowds. Save by cooking at home, negotiating longer leases, and borrowing gear locally for activities. Test a few blocks or streets to see where you feel most comfortable. Tip: keep a 2–week trial in each area before committing.