Living costs in Costa Rica... how

Living costs in Costa Rica... "how much can you really save? "

One thing that I have always stressed about Costa Rica has always been the cost of living. It doesn't always mean a great deal if you can't combine it with all of the different good things but it has been suggested which i compare an income of $3000 per 30 days and its commensurate expenditures in the States considering the same amount in Costa Rica. My friend says that he thinks that this on their own will increase my business by 25%... well, I disagree with that section of the equation but here goes: ( and please keep in mind that I am really out of touch with expenditures in the us )

For purposes of simplicity, it is assumed that the budget and expenditures can be for two people living in a home of around 1500 sq. feet... the partners being of social security age and retired... the home is taken care of, there is no debt and the state involving residence is a median:

1 . Utility bills: $350

2 . Insurance... car and homeowners: $250

3. Food: $400-500

4. Medical insurance: $300

5. Healthcare costs... doctor and medicine: $250

6. Homeowner taxes: $200

6. State and federal taxes: $100

8. Garments: $200

9. Entertainment: $200

twelve. Gasoline and car expenses: $400

11. Misc.: $500

Guess I will have stopped... already well over $3000 per month. Obviously the above was Stateside costs.

Here is Costa Rica:

1 . Programs: $100 (this is higher than common but assuming that gringos will not reduce many things. Also includes internet)

2 . Insurance policy: most do not have any insurance but am factoring in $50

3. Foods: $250... this is high but comprises of virtually unlimited fruits, vegetables, species of fish and chicken

4. Medical insurance: $150

5. Medical costs: doctor and even medicine $250... this includes the equivalent physician visits and medication

6. Homeowner fees: $25

7. State and federal taxes: most likely zero

8. Clothing: $100

being unfaithful. Entertainment: same costs but will visit twice as far... $200... a good dinner here will set you back $6-7 each.

10. Gasoline and car charge: approximately the same but you will probably laguna beach homes for rent not really drive as far... mechanics charges are less but gas is somewhat higher. Cars are more expensive but far less to care for. $400 and this quantity will give you enough funds to explore practically weekly.

11. Misc. $250

Overall is under $1800 and there are countless ways to cut back.

Here is also a list of expenditures that are definitely not mandatory but probably will be utilized by most gringos:

-Maid service... clean house once regular for 4-6 hours: $15

-Lawn service/gardner: $18-20 per day... most common resources are machete, weed whacker plus -possibly lawn more.

-Rebuilt beginner for car: $5-10 for crews and cost only for parts (estimated at $25)

-Delivery service via downtown Grecia to house (13-14 short minutes away): $5

-Taxi service to get same: $6

-Bus for same: $. 50

-Bus from here to Manual Antonio, pacific side (3 hr. plus drive... $8)

-Dentist charge for fixing chipped tooth (good as new.. ) $15... cavity... $20

-Dog grooming: $12

-DVD rental: same movies, identical quality $2-3 per two evenings.

-Coffee, whole bean, you make... one kilo (2. 2 pounds) $4. 50

-One pair, men's trifocals (yes, lineless) with examination, top quality frames... $225. Superb program and quality.

-Many items are a similar cost as in the States because they are imported. A six pack of Dr. Pepper, for example is probably about the same cost. On the other hand, good quality beef from -Argentina or local (remember, I mentioned GOOD quality or equivalent) is about half the cost IF you know where to shop.

-Vehicles cost more, primarily because of the customs work and taxes. Figure the same vehicle as in the States or Nova scotia will cost a minimum of 50% more.

-Gas is approximately the equivalent of $5 per gal..

You can have your own furniture designed for the fraction of what a prefab part would cost "back home". If you have pictures of a style you like, take it with you. The country here is not huge on inventories and virtually all is custom made.

Favorite things to do that don't cost much...

Sunday runs (or any other day... hey, you are retired) spend all day driving through several microclimates and topographies that change from (as examples) volcanoes, waterfalls, massive canyons and valleys, cooler pile weather, cloud forests, and gardening land... total distance driven lower than 100 miles... cost with the afternoon meal for two: less than $35

Gardening.. technically you could spend a fair amount of money (still probably less than 20% of what you should spend in the States though) although a lot of that live here make do with cuttings and "borrowings" from neighbors and perhaps a little "midnight gardening". You can almost watch the plants, flowers and even trees grow daily and the distinctions from one season to the next are amazing. We have two trees that (and remember please, we are in the mountain range! ) that have grown literally 8-12 feet in nine months... is a hardwood, the other is undiscovered.

Drive to the ocean... from here for the beach only 1 hours throughout the mountains on one of the most scenic drives in the country. See crocodiles, macaws, birds, monkeys... all in an afternoon. Stop at one or two of the roadside stands and acquire fresh fruit for a song.

When you discover you will discover places that will become the ones you love and you will keep going back... some of our bait are: the topiary at Zarcero (check out guidebooks or single line for details )... Laguna Hule, which is a lake almost in the middle of nowhere fast just outside of Bajos del Astado which is a cloud forest just a few minutes drive from Sarchi. It is a great travel and fantastic place to spend several hours over coffee or snacks and revel in the surroundings... the lake is looked at from above and boats of any sort are not allowed there. Almost like Switzerland... the ferry from Puntarenas to either Playa Naranjo and Pacquera and in between offers literally lots of small, white sand beaches which are generally secluded... find a boat for rent, go snorkeling or fishing... the area is usually stunning and almost deserted. ( you can drive your car onto the ferry and then drive once you reach the particular peninsula). You will quickly make your private favorites and there is literally no way that all of them can be exhausted.

The farmers' markets (the outdoor ones) generally held on Friday or Weekend are always jammed as fresh fruits together with vegetables from all over the area happen to be displayed. Sometimes fish, coffee, lean meats and other treats are available as well.

Rainy season offers superb opportunities to chill out... mainly because not a lot else becomes done outdoors. If you have a metal roof you may have trouble hearing in the sound! Get used to it... because it is part of Costa Rica and the culture. When the rain halts the sounds you hear are the plants and flowers growing.

If you don't think that you can pay for Costa Rica or you think that you may not be able to adapt... think about your alternatives. Designed for Rhonda and I, the alternatives to being here are not acceptable. Should you have reservations or if you don't think you can adapt here... come down and see if you can... or if you can't. Ask questions, keep researching and reading.

For more information on Costa Rica please visit us at

Pura vida,

Rowdy and all of us at CR Home