Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025

We live in a rural area outside of Puriscal and our costs in 2024 were as follows in USD per year: (costs tracked in a home finance program)

Daily living expenses (groceries, drinks, etc.) - $10,055

Electricity - $1,747

Internet (200 mbps up and down) - $891

Water - $217

Propane - $57

Two cell phones - $425

Medical, Caja - $733 and Medismart - $397

Car insurance, Marchamo - $1,015 and private - $938

Fuel for 1 vehicle - $2,342

House Insurance - $690

Corporation tax - $136

Property tax - $662

Dining out - $493

4 trips to various hotels in Costa Rica - $5,065

Thank you for sharing this, Terry. I have two observations to share.

First, you have not included anything for the cost of your housing. It's my guess that you own your home outright, as do we, but whether you paid a lump sum at closing or pay on a mortgage by the month, there's still a cost that needs to be accounted for. If you paid cash for your home, you just paid all those expenses up front, but you still paid them.

That's not a criticism.

Second, your list of expenses reveals that there are expenses on which you could spend less or more. That's one of the beauties of living here. Our expenses are much more flexible than in North America where, for instance, we have no option but to heat our homes and in many places we have little option about air conditioning. Here, in many areas, you can get along without neither heat nor air conditioning. Our windows are all open 24/365. Likewise, like us, you've opted to have two cellphones, but you could survive with just one. You could save on groceries (as could we) and still eat well. And there are other places where you could opt to spend more or spend less.

Again, that's not a criticism but just an observation that  here we really do have a range of options even on basic expenses.

We bought a small acreage and built our house.  The cost of the land and house was cash paid out of pocket. (slightly less than $400,000).

Of course we could live on less ......... but did not work for the same company for 38 years only to scrimp on my retirement!  Just going to enjoy my coffee and baileys <g>

@Cheryl

As Dave writes... flexibility is an awesome thing... And, like in many places around the world, how you live and how much you 'do' and or 'are willing' to spend is up to YOU.

I am Single, 3 pets, a large garden, and I own my house.  No Mortage.

I will list my average 'monthlies' with the following caveat;

I live in western San Carlos canton.  It is rural but not remote.  The area is littered, quite generously, with small towns and villages... from hillside towns to villages and towns in the lower valley.  I can walk to 2 neighboring villages from my own (pop: 150) in less than 30-40 minutes... depending on terrain.  There is very little 'local' shopping, aside from the grocery stores and hardware stores, produce stands, and a few small sodas and fried chicken stands.  All other shopping is done in either of two 'nearby' small cities; Quesada and San Ramon.  Quesada is the closest and is considered the 'gateway' to the north central part of Costa Rica.  It is a rich agricultural town.. has many schools, stores, clinics, numerous auto and motorcycle dealerships and all that is connected to those, a large hospital, giant bus terminal, gyms, malls, restaurants, etc.   San Ramon is further south but is a very walkable city and also served by good public transport and all shopping exists.  I go to both, but Quesada is closest and easy to get to via 5 daily buses, or gypsy cabs... or I catch a ride with a friend or neighbor.  La Fortuna is also easy to get to if you want a cheesy tourist day of doing some shopping and varietal eating.  I like it there.

My monthlies:

Groceries:  (including pet food)  can be as low as $350/mo. or as high as $600... depending on produce availability either from my 'own' garden... or the generosity of neighbors (we share and trade).  Example:  right now, after almost 8 months of rain (wettest year by far since I've been here) everything has been waiting for sun... I will have, very soon, more pineapple, plantains, and bananas, avocados, and cas than I can possibly eat.  I also grow normal kitchen veggies for daily consumption.  Who knew that one banana plant can yield up to 150 bananas!!  So I will share, and thus, my neighbors will share yucca, nampi, etc.  I will start Chayote and Passion fruit vines because I eat a lot of chayote (the locals make chiverre from it) and I make Passion fruit jam (easy!!)  One should know that MUCH of what is on grocery store shelves is imported and can cost the same or even MORE than it costs in the states.  So go local if you want to save. 

Electricity: Never over $20/mo.  I use ceiling fans and don't have AC.  I only have hot water in the shower; and I live with no dishwasher and no clothes dryer. 

Water: Never over $10/mo.   BTW... in most of CR, especially if you live in/near mountains... the water is incredibly delicious and thus, no need to buy bottled water; or boil water for 'safe drinking.'

Propane: currently I don't use it... but it is economical here.  You have to go to a grocery store or other to fill your tank... which is heavy.  Rural folks tend to use propane, and electricity and wood stoves.  I plan to get a gas grille.  Some areas have delivery services for the gas.

Internet:  I don't have the Wi-Fi plan that I should have, but it is currently $28/month.

Cable: I don't have TV, thus, no cable.

Property Taxes:  $230/year.   1500 sq. meter lot, concrete house.  Includes Trash pick-up 2x per week !!!  If you pay for the entire year during the first quarter... you get a 5% discount.  3 less 'errands' to run per year.  LOL

Cell phone: Well???   LSS... I bought an Android right after moving here.  I paid a one-time fee to Kolbi; around $80. 

I have never paid anything since... that was 6 years ago.  Occasionally I will put 3-4 dollars on it (you can do this almost anywhere)  for calls that use cell signals.. like to stores, offices, or abroad.  but 99% of the time I use WhatsApp, as do 4-5 Billion other humans.  As long as there is Wi-Fi signal nearby... WhatsApp works and it is free.  Not including the initial fee... my phone cots me around a penny a day... or less.  Most Costa Ricans don't and can't pay for a monthly plan... so why should I???   I'll leave it at that.

Caja (national healthcare system which is mandatory for Residency)... mine is currently $225 per month; depending on the value of the US dollar.  I do not have to pay a monthly fee into the CR pension plan as I opted out of that... but!!! all new Residents MUST pay into the CR pension for a minimum of 10 years... regardless of their pension status in their home country.  So if you notice, above, that Terry's Caja fee is low... he joined long ago when it was possible to opt-out of certain parts.  That no longer is the case. So consider that you'll most likely pay around $350 ??? minimum; give or take, as a new resident.   Far too many people aren't doing their homework and then find themselves crying on this and other forums about their Caja fees.  The only other option is to forego Residency and buy private health insurance.  Without Residency... you will have to leave CR every 180 days (or whatever the entry stamp on your passport tells you); and then return for an updated entry stamp;  and you won't be able to hold a CR identification card (cedula) and thus, may have hurdles to clear here, without one.   Not impossible though.

Dining Out... almost impossible in my immediate area (one Chinese place. actually quite good if you aren't a snob)... except for the local Sodas (cafes)... a meal can be 'had' for under $10.

Taxis... same price as in the states... but Gypsy cabs exist in rural areas... generally 50% cheaper.  The gypsy or 'pirate' ca drivers pass out their business cards... so you'll have their number... they 'could' be your ambulance if and when you need it.   I even use the local TukTuk taxi service.

Bus: Buses ARE the public transportation system in CR.  Not fancy nor luxurious... but they will get you there. They go everywhere... even to Nicaragua.  My 25 mile ride to Quesada is less than 3 dollars each way.  No restroom, and you may need to hold a baby or a box of chicks, or even stand... but ???    From Quesada, there are 3-5 hourly buses to San Jose that stop at the airport.  Same for San Ramon and elsewhere.  Those buses are generally nicer. 

Property upkeep.   I do it myself.  I pay for gasoline and oil 'mix' to run my grass cutter.  My hedge trimmer runs on batteries... i have 125 yards of hedges.  They will be the death of me.  If and when I need help... labor is dirt cheap here...

I try to pay double or more... even then, it is still ridiculously cheap.  Day laborers and jacks-of-all-trades are almost never more than 6-8 dollars an hour... usually less than $3.

Shopping: I rarely go... but Used and 2nd hand clothing is popular everywhere now... and works 'well' in the garden.  Tall garden/farm boots are around $13... sold everywhere. I have the sleeves removed from shirts and convert pants to shorts by a local woman who is really good at it.  New 'items' are generally socks and undergarments, or sneakers.   Furniture and such???   My advice... don't fill your house with furniture until you have lived in it for a year or so... you may find that the 'porch' furniture is used the most; and out of town guests? well... may not 'want' to stay with you if you aren't close to the typical tourist must-dos and other attractions.  That's why God made Hotels.

Mucha paz.

@rainagain

Forgot to add this to my own post...

I purchased my property (3 lots with one small concrete house) on a paved road that was a 5-minute walk to the bus stop, with municipal water and all utilities already in existence;  in 2018, for $54,000 cash USD. 

I put another $45K +/-  into it to gut and rebuild the entire interior, new roof, all new windows and doors, all new ceramic inside and out, add a large bedroom addition, and rebuild and double the size of the back porch; and add a 3rd porch.  I also did a lot of landscaping because it is a sloped lot... thus, lots of stone and concrete retaining walls, steps, trellises etc.   I removed many old and unmanaged fruit trees, as well as dangerously tall coconut palms; and then replaced everything as per my liking.  It is still, and always will be, a work in process.  I'm guessing, to date, that I have around $125K total into it. I did a lot of the work myself and used local labor for the larger and more taxing projects.  Great way to know the locals!!  They are the best resources.  One even took me to a tree farm up in the hills  that I would have never known to exist...

10-12 foot tall, decorative palms were $8 each!!!    I filled their truck, and the delivery was only $10.

  I have no immediate neighbors except cows... as it is rural and lot sizes are big...  dead quiet after 9 p.m.   even on weekends.  Occasional big cat 'visitors' come around from the nearby mountains at night... but they were here first.  I just have to bring the dog in and pray for the neighbor's chickens.

@rainagain

Forgot to add this to my own post...

I purchased my property (3 lots with one small concrete house) on a paved road that was a 5-minute walk to the bus stop, with municipal water and all utilities already in existence;  in 2018, for $54,000 cash USD. 

I put another $45K +/-  into it to gut and rebuild the entire interior, new roof, all new windows and doors, all new ceramic inside and out, add a large bedroom addition, and rebuild and double the size of the back porch; and add a 3rd porch.  I also did a lot of landscaping because it is a sloped lot... thus, lots of stone and concrete retaining walls, steps, trellises etc.   I removed many old and unmanaged fruit trees, as well as dangerously tall coconut palms; and then replaced everything as per my liking.  It is still, and always will be, a work in process.  I'm guessing, to date, that I have around $125K total into it. I did a lot of the work myself and used local labor for the larger and more taxing projects.  Great way to know the locals!!  They are the best resources.  One even took me to a tree farm up in the hills  that I would have never known to exist...

10-12 foot tall, decorative palms were $8 each!!!    I filled their truck, and the delivery was only $10.

  I have no immediate neighbors except cows... as it is rural and lot sizes are big...  dead quiet after 9 p.m.   even on weekends.  Occasional big cat 'visitors' come around from the nearby mountains at night... but they were here first.  I just have to bring the dog in and pray for the neighbor's chickens.

This has nothing to do with the cost of living in Costa Rica (or anywhere else), but I am once again blocked from participating because my email address doesn't make this environment happy. This is not, a first.

Is there any way to directly contact the moderators of the Forum without contaminating one of the topics? I've looked everywhere.

@daveandmarcia

Very strange Dave.

Have you tried clicking on the word 'Report' that is to the right of your Name on YOUR posts??