One of the most common questions that I get as a Costa Rica real estate broker here is in regards to the cost of living and how it compares to that of the United States.

At the root of the question is the reality that many tourists and visitors find when vacationing here that they spend a good deal of money while they are here in hotels on their first or secondary visits to the country.

The short answer which I give to most of my clients is that you can spend as much or as little money as you want, but that Costa Rica, like most developed tourism destinations is not 100% cheap across the board.

In the coastal areas especially, restaurants, hotels, tours, drinks, etc. have pricing which, while certainly not as expensive as most options in the USA or more overdeveloped tourism destinations like Mexico, Hawaii and the Carribean charge, are certainly more than what many foreign visitors expect when coming to Central America.

The reality is the following…, if you plan and are smart, Costa Rica is a very affordable place to live, visit and live, but it does take a sensible approach and a realization that you are not going to go out every night to the touristy restaurants which might have been the base of your first visit or experience as a tourist in the country.

Some basic points of where you can and should save money and have a very affordable lifestyle here in paradise.

1. Eat Locally Grown Food: I am not trying to make a point here on globalization, a general strike against Monsanto or other huge agro-powers (which could be the subject of another article or book for that matter), but make the point to my clients and family that you can live and eat amazingly well here for almost nothing, on a diet focused around the seasonal and locally raised fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, pork and cattle.
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   Regardless of your palate, the more you try to globalize your daily menu with imported sauces, prepackaged dishes, chips, mustards, etc. the more expensive you are going to live. This is not a call to eat white rice and beans everyday either. Shop at your local farmer’s market! Every town has one, and you can buy more fruits and vegetables than you and your family can possibly consume in a week for practically nothing. It is a lot of fun, supports local economies and is the freshest and cheapest way to create the basic core of your diet.



2. Ditch the fancy supermarket for anything but the necessities: One of the big revelations I had living here is just how much extra we pay for nice packaging. Just like with generic medicines which serve the same purpose, if you want to live affordably, think about saving the trip to the fancy tourist supermarket which feels more like home and shop at some of the bodegas here for all of the basic components.

   No they will not have Jasmine rice and algae wraps for your sushi, but for rice, beans, bread, meats, basic sauces, paper towels, and other “non-speciality” items, if you are willing to pack your own groceries and potentially shop without air conditioned and organized perfection you can save 50% and more on your groceries.

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3. Monitor you electric use: By far the biggest and most expensive aspect of a full time residence, at least on the coast, is your electric consumption. I for one, love curling up under a down blanket in a cold room, but if you are someone who is so adverse to the heat, this is the tropics, that you want to have your home at 69 degrees all day long, be prepared for a big electric bill on the coast.

   We encourage our clients to pick an area first and if you are going to live at the coast, you can analyze the design of the house, wind flows, etc to insure you will have an energy efficient place. If the heat is something you can’t enjoy, the Central Valley or upper elevation areas on the coast are great options where you will almost never need or want A/C or heating which can be huge money saver.



4. Stop Drinking So Much With Your Visitors! Let me assure you that when you move to Costa Rica you are going to find friends that you never knew existed and a very common fallacy economically speaking. It is great to entertain, show off your new lifestyle and you should. That said, if you want to live economically, don’t think that margaritas and appetizers every night at the local tourist hangout is going to save you money.

   Pick your moments, invite friends to real Costa Rica experiences, picnic on the beach for sunset, grab a bottle of wine and watch from a hilltop. The memories will last much longer and so will your pocket book.

The list could go on and on, but in general recognize one thing. Costa Rica is an incredibly affordable place to live. Healthcare, staff and domestic help, and the costs of fruits, vegetables and fish especially are a fraction of what they would be in the USA, Canada and Europe.

People get burned economically on the sustainability when they try to live in Costa Rica while living like they do in their previous place of residence.

Sure! This is a stunningly beautiful country, but if you want to live just like you do back home, either have the money to afford it, which many do and get the best of both worlds, or commit to making real lifestyle changes which unlike the real value and nature of this paradise.

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If you have ever dreamed of living in the Manuel Antonio area and would like to know more about real estate for sale please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors Daveed Hollander, John Wieland and James Drews by using the simple form below: