A growing number of British expats are making a new life in Costa Rica, a Central American country known for incredible scenery, a wealth of biodiversity, and a more than affordable cost of living. Learn more about the cost of living in Costa Rica and find out how it compares to the UK.

Make sending money to Costa Rica easy and secure by signing up for a Moneycorp personal account.

The Currency in Costa Rica

The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón (₡). The currency was named in honour of Christopher Columbus, who is known as Cristobal Colón in Spanish. 

The Colón replaced the Peso in 1896. The colourful waterproof banknotes are available in denominations of 1,000 ₡, 2,000 ₡, 5,000 ₡, 10,000 ₡, 20,000 ₡, and 50,000 ₡, while coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 Colones. The currency’s official code, which you will see at Moneycorp, is CRC.

The Colón has a ‘crawling peg’ relationship with the US Dollar. The Central Bank of Costa Rica posts exchange rates which authorised financial institutions use to determine their values independently. It’s important to remember this when answering the question, “What is the cost of living in Costa Rica?” At the time of writing, £1.47 equals approximately 1000.00 ₡ (as of 2 February 2023).

 

Where to Live in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has many bustling cities and towns as well as quiet villages, some of which are surrounded by lush rainforest, while others are close to the country’s pristine beaches. San José, the capital city, ranks as the 139th most expensive city in the world, according to the 2022 Mercer Annual Cost of Living Survey. 

However, coastal areas popular with British expats, such as Tamarindo and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, can be considerably more expensive to immigrate to than the capital.

How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Costa Rica?

The cost of accommodation in Costa Rica varies greatly from location to location and depends on whether you’re looking at renting or purchasing a property. As accommodation costs and property prices can greatly affect your cost of living in Costa Rica you should put much consideration into where you decide to live. 

Unlike many other capital cities around the world, San José is relatively inexpensive whether you rent or buy, while the expat hubs of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Tamarindo are much more expensive due to their Caribbean and Pacific coastline locations. All figures taken from Numbeo.com and exchange rates calculated on 2 February 2023 at 3.30pm.

San José

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£541.55 (369,252.99 ₡)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£341.49 (232,841.26 ₡)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,056.01 (720,036.58 ₡)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£658.54 (449,020.53 ₡)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£1,705.34 (1,162,778.15 ₡)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£1,063.33 (725,024.07 ₡)

 

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£513.31 (350,000 ₡)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£439.98 (300,000 ₡)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£659.97 (450,000 ₡)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£586.64 (400,000 ₡)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	No Data
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	No Data

 

Tamarindo

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,048 (714,576.09 ₡)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£492 (335,466.03 ₡)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,700 (1,159,140.41 ₡)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£730.02 (497,760.10 ₡)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£1,927.12 (1,314,000 ₡)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£1669.29 (1,138,200 ₡)

 

How Much Does Transport Cost in Costa Rica?

While public transport can be limited in some parts of the country, it is inexpensive in the capital and other towns, which helps keep the cost of living in Costa Rica low. Local buses are a popular way of making shorter local journeys, while shared shuttlebuses are popular for cross-country trips. If you are concerned about the reliability of public transport, you may find that owning a vehicle is far more convenient. The table below provides a good idea of transport costs in Costa Rica.

Single bus ticket	£0.73 (500.00 ₡)
Monthly public transport ticket	£29.92 (20,400 ₡)
Petrol (1 litre)	£1.17 (798.73 ₡)
Volkswagen Golf	£21,573.79 (14,710,000 ₡)
Toyota Corolla	£23,005.89 (15,686,475.31 ₡)

 

What is the Cost of Living in Costa Rica Compared to the UK?

In general, the cost of living in Costa Rica compared to the UK is much lower, but the reality of life in this country requires a closer look. While some supermarkets have similar pricing to what you would find in the UK, the cost of eating out is noticeably cheaper, as is the cost of various amenities and utilities. That said, the price of groceries, leisure activities, and diverse other items can fluctuate greatly compared to what you would pay in the UK. The table below provides a good idea of the average cost of living in Costa vs UK.

Milk (1 litre)	£1.30 (889.42 ₡)
Bread (500g loaf)	£1.57 (1,070.28 ₡)
Eggs (12pk)	£2.22 (1,515.75 ₡)
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	£1.76 (1,197.60 ₡)
Chicken Breast (1kg)	£6.39 (4,355.92 ₡)
Cappuccino (regular, in a restaurant)	£2.41 (1,641.74 ₡)
Beer (500ml, in a restaurant/pub)	£2.20 (1,500 ₡)
Cinema ticket	£5.13 (3,500 ₡)
Gym membership (monthly)	£40.44 (27,576.74 ₡)
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)	£304.22 (207,432.93 ₡)
Primary School (yearly)	£6,622.74 (4,515,689.78 ₡)

 

Sign Up for a Personal Account with Moneycorp

Sending money to Costa Rica for a rental or property purchase deposit, to prepare for your move to this beautiful country, or for other reasons is easier with a Moneycorp personal account. Sign up for an account and send money easily and with peace of mind. 

Whether you’re looking at working in the country or spending your golden years soaking up the exotic climate, vibrant culture, and incredible natural beauty, you’ll find that the cost of living in Costa Rica suits expats with budgets of various sizes.