Living costs in Costa Rica... how much can

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 price tag on living. It doesn't always mean a whole lot if you can't combine it with all of the other good things but it has been suggested which i compare an income of $3000 each month and its commensurate expenditures in the States aided by the same amount in Costa Rica. My super cool buddy says that he thinks that this alone will increase my business by 25%... well, I disagree with that area of the equation but here goes: ( and please keep in mind that I am definitely out of touch with expenditures in the us )

For purposes of simplicity, the assumption is that the budget and expenditures usually are for two people living in a home of approximately 1500 sq. feet... the several being of social security age and retired... the home is taken care of, there is no debt and the state regarding residence is a median:

1 . Resources: $350

2 . Insurance... car in addition to homeowners: $250

3. Food: $400-500

4. Medical insurance: $300

5. Medical costs... doctor and medicine: 500 usd

6. Homeowner taxes: $200

6. State and federal taxes: $100

8. Garments: $200

9. Entertainment: $200

12. Gasoline and car expenses: $400

11. Misc.: $500

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

Here is Costa Rica:

1 . Tools: $100 (this is higher than usual but assuming that gringos will not minimize many things. Also includes internet)

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

3. Meals: $250... this is high but incorporates virtually unlimited fruits, vegetables, seafood and chicken

4. Medical insurance: $150

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

6. Homeowner income taxes: $25

7. State and federal taxes: very likely zero

8. Clothing: $100

on the lookout for. Entertainment: same costs but will choose twice as far... $200... a good meals here will set you back $6-7 each.

10. Gasoline and car charge: approximately the same but you will probably not necessarily drive property for sale in laguna as far... mechanics bills are less but gas is a little bit higher. Cars are more expensive but a smaller amount to care for. $400 and this volume will give you enough funds to explore almost weekly.

11. Misc. $250

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Taxi service to get same: $6

-Bus for very same: $. 50

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

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

-Dog grooming: $12

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

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

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

-Many items are the same cost as in the States as they are imported. A six pack of Doctor Pepper, for example is probably about the same price. On the other hand, good quality beef from -Argentina or local (remember, I explained 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 automobile as in the States or Canada will cost a minimum of 50% more.

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

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

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

Sunday hard disks (or any other day... hey, you will be retired) spend all day driving through five microclimates and topographies that range from (as examples) volcanoes, waterfalls, large canyons and valleys, cooler pile weather, cloud forests, and gardening land... total distance driven less than 100 miles... cost with lunch for two: less than $35

Gardening.. formally you could spend a fair amount of money (still probably less than 20% of what you would spend in the States though) although most that live here make do with waste and "borrowings" from neighbors and perhaps a little "midnight gardening". You can practically watch the plants, flowers and trees grow daily and the differences from one season to the next are astonishing. We have two trees that (and remember please, we are in the hills! ) that have grown literally 8-12 feet in nine months... some may be a hardwood, the other is unidentified.

Drive to the ocean... from here for the beach only 1 hours throughout the mountains on one of the most scenic forces in the country. See crocodiles, macaws, birds, monkeys... all in an afternoon. Stop at 1 or 2 of the roadside stands and acquire fresh fruit for a song.

When you discover you will discover places that will become your favorites and you will keep going back... some of ours are: the topiary at Zarcero (check out guidebooks or one line for details )... Laguna Goma, which is a lake almost in the middle of no place just outside of Bajos del Tauro which is a cloud forest just a few a few minutes drive from Sarchi. It is a great travel and fantastic place to spend several hours over coffee or snacks and luxuriate in the surroundings... the lake is viewed 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 many small, white sand beaches which are more often than not secluded... find a boat for rent, turn snorkeling or fishing... the area is certainly stunning and almost deserted. ( you are able to drive your car onto the ferry and then drive once you reach the peninsula). You will quickly make your private favorites and there is literally no way that every one of them can be exhausted.

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

Rainy season offers superb opportunities to take it easy... mainly because not a lot else gets done outdoors. If you have a metal roof you may have trouble hearing over the sound! Get used to it... because it is part of Panama and nicaragua, and the culture. When the rain stops the sounds you hear are the plants and flowers growing.

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

For more information on Panama and nicaragua, please visit us at

Pura vida,

Randy and all of us at CR Home