Cost of Living in Turrialba - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $883 (excluding rent), and $1,601 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,162 (excluding rent), and $3,217 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.76 ₡5,385
$6.84 ₡3,426
$21.51 ₡10.8K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.3 ₡29.7K
$39.52 ₡19.8K
$98.8 ₡49.5K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.83 ₡4,921
$9.83 ₡4,921
$11.79 ₡5,900
Cappuccino
$3.78 ₡1,891
$1.97 ₡985
$6.85 ₡3,428
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 ₡1,025
$1.58 ₡792
$3.02 ₡1,512
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 ₡793
$1.16 ₡582
$1.95 ₡974
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.99 ₡1,499
$2 ₡1,001
$4.99 ₡2,499
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.72 ₡2,365
$3.01 ₡1,509
$6.04 ₡3,023
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.06 ₡1,032
$1.53 ₡765
$2.85 ₡1,427
White Bread (500g)
$2.82 ₡1,410
$1.23 ₡618
$4.36 ₡2,182
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.17 ₡1,086
$1.77 ₡888
$3.94 ₡1,974
Eggs
$2.98 ₡1,492
$2 ₡1,003
$4.01 ₡2,006
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.09 ₡5,053
$4.04 ₡2,021
$20.18 ₡10.1K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.23 ₡4,620
$5.03 ₡2,518
$11.07 ₡5,542
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.94 ₡6,976
$10.34 ₡5,175
$16.22 ₡8,119
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 ₡2,277
$2.81 ₡1,407
$6.03 ₡3,021
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 ₡720
$0.58 ₡292
$2.32 ₡1,163
Oranges (1kg)
$4.37 ₡2,189
$2.04 ₡1,023
$6.13 ₡3,068
Tomato (1kg)
$3.55 ₡1,775
$2.02 ₡1,009
$8.06 ₡4,037
Potato (1kg)
$3.5 ₡1,750
$1.92 ₡963
$7.01 ₡3,511
Onion (1kg)
$3.1 ₡1,554
$1.95 ₡975
$4.46 ₡2,230
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.95 ₡478
$0.83 ₡415
$0.95 ₡478
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 ₡1,413
$2.15 ₡1,075
$3.41 ₡1,708
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.25 ₡2,628
$3.97 ₡1,985
$5.55 ₡2,778
Wine (Bottle)
$19.86 ₡9,942
$12.91 ₡6,463
$29.79 ₡14.9K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.43 ₡1,215
$1.64 ₡822
$2.96 ₡1,481
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₡1,399
$2.02 ₡1,009
$5.42 ₡2,715
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.03 ₡516
$0.83 ₡417
$1.2 ₡599
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.86 ₡934
$1.42 ₡709
$2.03 ₡1,015
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.79 ₡898
$1.36 ₡681
$2.34 ₡1,169
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.84 ₡3,926
$7.03 ₡3,518
$8.9 ₡4,454
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.46 ₡731
$1.35 ₡675
$1.52 ₡762
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.7K ₡18.9M
$36.7K ₡18.3M
$40K ₡20M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7K ₡16.4M
$32.7K ₡16.4M
$35K ₡17.5M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$92.2 ₡46.2K
$58.7 ₡29.4K
$127 ₡63.6K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.81 ₡12.9K
$19.81 ₡9,918
$49.53 ₡24.8K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.7 ₡30.4K
$40.46 ₡20.3K
$85 ₡42.5K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$63.9 ₡32K
$44.77 ₡22.4K
$89.5 ₡44.8K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.31 ₡12.2K
$8.11 ₡4,058
$24.31 ₡12.2K
Cinema Ticket
$10.04 ₡5,025
$8.03 ₡4,020
$15.05 ₡7,534
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$563 ₡281.7K
$394 ₡197.1K
$915 ₡458.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.9K ₡6.4M
$10.1K ₡5.1M
$19.8K ₡9.9M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.8 ₡30.9K
$39.36 ₡19.7K
$118 ₡59.1K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.9 ₡25.5K
$39.55 ₡19.8K
$68.9 ₡34.5K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$124 ₡62.3K
$88.4 ₡44.3K
$147 ₡73.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 ₡52.9K
$48.94 ₡24.5K
$157 ₡78.4K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$694 ₡347.3K
$451 ₡225.9K
$1,089 ₡545.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$553 ₡277.1K
$332 ₡166.2K
$738 ₡369.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,672 ₡837.1K
$988 ₡494.8K
$1,977 ₡989.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$961 ₡481K
$595 ₡297.9K
$1,197 ₡599.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.17
8
15
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Turrialba - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Turrialba compare for travelers and longer stays, and who tends to get good value?
For many travelers, the Cost of Living in Turrialba, Costa Rica feels approachable compared with bigger hubs or the capital, thanks to a slower pace and simpler services. Expats and long-stay visitors often find housing and daily costs more predictable when you lean on local eateries and markets. Food options, transport, and utilities can be managed on a modest budget if you prioritize local options and flexible routines. Seasonality influences activity more than major price swings. Tip: Build a simple monthly plan that balances groceries, transport, and occasional dining out to keep you nimble.
What does a typical day look like for housing search, food, transport, and errands in Turrialba, and what should you look for in neighborhoods?
On a daily basis, you’ll find a practical rhythm here: affordable local eateries, markets with fresh produce, and a central bus network that keeps errands and commutes simple. Housing options range from compact apartments in the town center to modest homes on the hills, with rents generally lower than big metropolitan hubs when you prioritize local neighborhoods. For co-working, look for shared spaces in the centro or near educational institutes. Turrialba, Costa Rica living cost tends to stay friendly if you shop local and cook at home. Tip: Map two or three neighborhoods you like, visit at different times of day, and test a few grocery runs before deciding.
How can you budget effectively for quality of life in Turrialba, and what neighborhood fit, seasonality, and services should guide your plan?
Quality of life here rewards thoughtful budgeting and flexible planning. Start with a simple framework: fixed essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) + discretionary (eating out, activities) + occasional transport. In Turrialba you can save by choosing local markets, cooking at home, and negotiating longer-term housing leases. Seasonality influences outdoor plans more than prices; you’ll likely find milder demand in shoulder months for longer stays. Neighborhood fit matters: central zones offer walkability and services, while hillside areas bring calmer streets and better views. Tip: try a two-week trial in a couple of neighborhoods before mapping a longer-term stay.
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