The cost of living in Costa Rica shocks many people that are interested in moving here. The natural diversity of the country attracts tourists as well as residents. I can assure you that Costa Rica has a very affordable lifestyle. The minimum cost of living in the country is 1,500 to 2,000 USD per month for a single person.

Cost of health services in Costa Rica

Costa Rica provides high quality but low-cost medical services. Legal residents in Costa Rica are required to be a member of Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). CCSS is a Government owned universal health care service. Its monthly cost is 7%-11% of the resident's monthly income. An alternative option to health care is the private system. Private medical insurance in Costa Rica costs $60– 250 USD per month. It is more expensive than Caja but affordable in comparison to the medical costs in the United States.

Cost of Housing and Utilities in Costa Rica

The cost of housing in Costa Rica varies according to your budget. It costs around $2,000 USD per month for a 3-bedroom apartment in expensive cities such as San Jose. A furnished loft in an upscale neighborhood costs around $1,100 USD. The additional perks include a secure and gated community, pools and tennis court within this price.

However, you can rent a comfortable house for $500 USD a month outside the capital, San Jose. The cost of a rental property is inexpensive once you move farther away from the capital. Also, the rents on housing are usually lower on long-term leases of 6 months to a year than short-term leases.

Among the utilities, both high-speed internet (ADSL) and cable TV cost approximately $25 USD per month. Telephone services cost about $8 – $20 USD per month. The cost of water averages out to $12 USD per month which is quite cheap, and electricity costs $75 - $100 USD per month depending on usage.

Cost of Food in Costa Rica

There are fast food restaurants called "sodas" in Costa Rica that charge around $3 - $7 USD for a plate of food. You will find fresh vegetables, fruits, poultry, seafood, dairy products, coffee, bread and more at the Feria which is a weekly farmer's market. It is a good idea to set aside $200 USD per week for groceries for a family of four.

My recommendation is that you allocate your expenses based on your total monthly income. The cost of living in Costa Rica varies with your lifestyle. However, you will have a comfortable life even on the minimum budget of 1,500 to 2,000 USD for a single person.

Do you have questions about living in Costa Rica? Contact me today at (506) 8414-0420, or Toll Free from US & CA 289-801-2364 or email davislewars@gmail.com.