Is Costa Rica expensive to live in?

Costa Rica isn’t the cheapest country in Central America, but it’s not outrageous either. Daily life costs less than in most major U.S. cities — especially if you adapt to local food and lifestyle. Where it gets pricey is rent in beach towns, imported goods, and electricity if you blast the A/C all day.

What is the average rent in Costa Rica?

Rent depends on location. In San José, a two-bedroom apartment runs $600–$1,200/month. In popular beach towns or suburbs, expect $800–$1,800/month. Rural areas can be as low as $400/month — but you’ll trade off some conveniences.

How much money do I need to live comfortably in Costa Rica?

A single person can live modestly on $1,200–$1,500/month. For more comfort (A/C, private healthcare, imported snacks), budget $2,000–$3,000/month. Couples usually spend $1,500–$2,500+ depending on lifestyle and location.

What’s the cost of food in Costa Rica?

Local produce, coffee, and seafood are affordable (think avocados for $0.50, pineapples for $1, fresh fish at local markets). Imported items, though, are expensive — a jar of peanut butter can be $8 and wine can sting your wallet. Sticking to the local diet saves money and makes you healthier.

🌴 The Pura Vida Diet: Farmers’ Markets, Fresh Food Culture, and What to Skip at the Grocery Store in Costa Rica

Waymon Hudson
6 days ago
4 min read

A colorful pile of Costa Rican tropical fruits including rambutan, bananas, coconut, and durian, displayed on a wooden table.

If you think “Pura Vida” is just hammocks and sunsets, you’re missing the most delicious part: the food. In Costa Rica, your plate is stacked with fruit so fresh it makes U.S. “organic” aisles look like a crime scene. But before you start Instagramming every papaya, let’s break down Costa Rica food culture — where to shop, what to savor, and what not to waste money on.

1. The Farmers’ Market (Feria) Is Your Church Now

vendor at a Costa Rican farmers’ market with a table full of fresh fruits and vegetables including bananas, carrots, avocados, and rambutan.

The feria is a weekly ritual, not a chore. It’s where you shop, gossip, and taste why Costa Rica consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world. It's also an amazing way to shop local and support your community.

What you’ll find:

Mangoes: mountains of them, for less than your old Starbucks latte.
Avocados: bigger than your hand, buttery perfection.
Plantains: green, yellow, or blackened — they’re not “specialty,” they’re dinner.
Coffee beans: fresh-roasted, shade-grown, and addictive.

💡 Pro tip: Go early for the best produce, late for discounts. Many are cash only.

2. Grocery Stores: Friend, Foe, or Financial Trap?

A traditional Costa Rican gallo pinto breakfast plate with rice and beans, fried eggs, fried plantains, tortillas, and fresh vegetables.

Yes, you’ll still need supermarkets. Just know how to play the game:

Local staples: rice, beans, dairy, eggs, fresh tortillas = cheap and excellent.
Imports: brand-name cereals, fancy cheeses, spices = 2–3x U.S. prices.
The Gringo Tax: $8 Jif peanut butter is your punishment for not switching.

💡 Survival strategy: Fall in love with local brands. Your wallet (and cholesterol) will thank you.

3. The Pura Vida Pantry Staples

Close-up of Lizano Salsa bottles, Costa Rica’s famous condiment made with vegetables and spices, displayed on a store shelf.

Every Costa Rican kitchen has these:

Lizano sauce (sweet + tangy magic)
Warm fresh tortillas
Local honey
Bright, citrusy cilantro
Gallos (tortilla + beans + cheese) — cheap, fast, satisfying

4. Eating Out Without Guilt (or Bankruptcy)

A rustic roadside soda (local restaurant) in Costa Rica with wooden tables outside and people eating inside under a Coca-Cola sign.

Sodas: neighborhood diners where $4–$6 gets you rice, beans, salad, plantains, and protein. Pure comfort. Try a Casado with your choice of protein- they are DELICIOUS and filling!
Upscale: $20–$30 per person in beach towns and San José. Can be higher, so always check the menu ahead of time.
Queer foodie alert: San José has a growing LGBTQ+ dining scene — brunches, pop-ups, craft beer bars. Check Facebook groups for the latest.

Eating local is another great wauy to make sure you're giving back to the community that is welcoming you. You get great food, meet more Ticos, and give back. It's a win-win all the way around!

Hands holding ripe red coffee cherries freshly harvested from a coffee plant in Costa Rica.

5. Coffee: The Real National Treasure

Costa Rica doesn’t just grow coffee; it worships it.

Always choose local roasters over supermarket chains.
Instant? Only in emergencies (or post-surf haze).
Three cups a day? Doctor-approved here.

Quick Takeaway

Eating in Costa Rica is joyful when you embrace the local way. Shop the feria, eat at sodas, stock Lizano and tortillas, and splurge on coffee. Avoid the import aisles unless you really need U.S. peanut butter. Your fridge will sparkle, your wallet will breathe, and your meals will finally taste like “Pura Vida.”

Also check out the rest of the Pura Vida Diaries Series:

FAQ: Costa Rica Food Culture

Is food cheap in Costa Rica?

Local staples like rice, beans, tortillas, eggs, and produce are affordable, especially at farmers’ markets. Imported items like peanut butter, wine, and brand-name snacks can be 2–3x U.S. prices.

What are Costa Rican farmers’ markets like?

Weekly ferias offer fresh produce, local cheese, honey, herbs, and coffee at unbeatable prices. They’re a cultural tradition and the best way to shop like a local.

How much does it cost to eat out in Costa Rica?

At a local soda, meals run $4–$6. Upscale restaurants in tourist towns or San José average $20–$30 per person.

What foods are unique to Costa Rica?

Gallo pinto (rice + beans), plantains, Lizano sauce, fresh tortillas, and locally roasted coffee are staples of Costa Rica food culture.

Is Costa Rican food healthy?

Yes. The diet is heavy on beans, rice, vegetables, fruit, and fish — fresh, affordable, and nutrient-dense compared to processed U.S. diets.

💡 P.S. — this is just the beginning.

Every Wednesday I’ll be dropping a new article in my Pura Vida Diaries series. Think of it as your jungle survival (and thrival) guide.

We’re going to cover it all:

🛂 Residency + visas (aka: how not to get deported)
💸 Living expenses + budgets (yes, you can afford it — even with your avocado toast addiction)
🏥 Healthcare (Caja vs. private, and what it’s really like)
💻 Remote work realities (including jungle Wi-Fi myths)
🥑 Food, culture, & community (the farmers’ market, the friends, the pura vida)
🐕 Pets & rescues (because jungle dogs deserve love too)
🌍 How to Be a Good Immigrant (gentrification, humility, supporting locals — aka don’t be “that” expat)

Basically? If you’ve ever Googled “Can I really move to Costa Rica?” …this series is your sign.

📲 Follow Me

Want more than just the weekly blog drop? Let’s hang out everywhere:

🎥 YouTube → deep-dive videos of each blog (perfect for bingeing with coffee)
📸 Instagram → my daily life here (sunrises, dogs, jungle sweat, and a few shirtless selfies)
🎬 TikTok → the fun, fast, and slightly thirsty version of this expat adventure
👥 Facebook → where community + conversation actually happen
📰 Substack → longer reflections, essays, and behind-the-scenes of this wild queer jungle life