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.

Moving to Costa Rica: Why I Chose Here Out of Anywhere in the World

Waymon Hudson
2 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Moving Abroad as a Queer Expat & Finding the Pura Vida Life

(aka: Why you might, too)

Swimming under El Pavón waterfall in Costa Rica — jungle plunge pool meets queer joy in the tropics

I looked around at the United States — at a country that didn’t match my morals, didn’t reflect my values, and definitely didn’t make me feel seen or safe.

I looked at the life I was “supposed” to want — ruled by the grind, the climb, and the constant hustle that was somehow meant to *be* my identity. And I hated it.

So I decided to find a place that matched me — my joy, my boundaries, my energy — and gave me the life I both needed and deserved. And I didn’t want to wait until retirement.

1. Costa Rica Chose Peace Instead of War — and Built a Different Future

Back in 1948, Costa Rica looked at its military budget, looked at its people, and said, “You know what? We’d rather have schools.”

They abolished the military — abolished — and put that money into education, healthcare, and social programs. Imagine your country doing that. (I’ll wait.)

That choice still shapes daily life here. Stability, education, and public health are baked into the national identity.

2. LGBTQ Expat Life in Costa Rica: Rights, Safety & Daily Reality

Manuel Antonio Pride in Costa Rica — rainbow flags flying on the beach while a queer expat soaks up pura vida under the LGBTQ-friendly sky. Walking barefoot on Manuel Antonio beach under giant rainbow flags during Costa Rica Pride — proof that queer joy is alive in the jungle.

When I say Costa Rica is the most LGBTQ-friendly country in Central America, I’m not blowing rainbow smoke.

Same-sex marriage? Legal.

Anti-discrimination laws? In place.

Trans rights? Recognized.

And beyond the policies, there’s a “live and let live” attitude that feels lightyears away from the culture wars I left behind.

It’s not utopia, but I can walk hand-in-hand without that constant gut-clench — and that’s priceless.

3. Costa Rica’s Green Promise: Sustainability and Environmentalism

Costa Rica runs on over 98% renewable energy. Water belongs to everyone by law. Over 25% of the country is protected land — national parks, reserves, wildlife refuges.

They guard biodiversity like it’s Beyoncé — because they know it’s the crown jewel.

4. Nature in Costa Rica: Beaches, Volcanoes, Jungles & Mountains

Queer expat enjoying beach life in Costa Rica — living the Pura Vida lifestyle with sun, sand, and ocean views. Costa Rica offers a vibrant LGBTQ-friendly culture, stunning beaches, and a slower pace of life perfect for leaving burnout behind

This isn’t a “pick your one landscape” kind of country.

We’ve got:

- Beaches where you can watch the sunrise on the Caribbean and sunset on the Pacific in one day.

- Volcanoes straight out of a Nat Geo film.

- Jungles that hum with life and drama.

- Mountains shrouded in cloud forests that feel like dream sequences.

And it’s all packed into a country smaller than West Virginia — so weekend adventures aren’t just possible, they’re inevitable.

Expat life in Costa Rica — paragliding high above the jungle and Pacific Ocean near Dominical. Adventure activities like paragliding, surfing, and hiking make Costa Rica a paradise for thrill seekers, digital nomads, and LGBTQ expats chasing the Pura Vida lifestyle

5. Adventure & Relaxation: Things to Do in Costa Rica

Whether you’re a surfer, a diver, a hiker, a birder, or the world’s most dedicated hammock tester, Costa Rica will keep you busy — or blissfully lazy.

You can paraglide over valleys, raft movie-set rivers, or take yoga classes suspended in trees. And yes, I’ve done some of that. And yes, my thighs still hate me for it.

6. Costa Rican Food: Why the Produce, Coffee & Gallo Pinto Deserve a Visa into Your Life

I could write love songs to gallo pinto (the national rice-and-beans breakfast), but the produce here is the real seduction.

Papayas the size of toddlers. Pineapples so sweet they taste like candy. Avocados so creamy they’ll make you cry… and don’t require a mortgage like in the States.

And the coffee? It will ruin you for whatever over-roasted sludge you were tolerating back home.

7. What “Pura Vida” Really Means in Costa Rican Culture

“Pura Vida” isn’t just “pure life” — it’s shorthand for everything’s good, and if it’s not, it will be.

The phrase came from a 1950s Mexican film and stuck because it perfectly fit the Costa Rican worldview.

Someone holds the door? “Pura Vida.” Your bus is late but you’re not stressed? “Pura Vida.” A howler monkey pees off a branch? Still “Pura Vida.”

8. Practical Perks of Living in Costa Rica: Flights, Time Zones & Remote Work

Romance and beauty are great, but so is keeping your job and visiting your family without three layovers and a week of jet lag.

Costa Rica’s location means I can fly to Miami in under three hours, New York in about five. The time zone (CST) makes working remotely for a U.S. company seamless — unlike Europe or Asia, where meetings happen at 2 a.m.

Quick Takeaway

Costa Rica wasn’t my “escape.” It was my alignment. It’s safe, progressive, gorgeous, and grounded in values I actually want to live by.

I came here for a new life — and found a place that proves every day I made the right choice.

💡 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

👉 Come along — because this isn’t just me telling you my story, it’s an invite to imagine what yours could look like too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Costa Rica

Is Costa Rica safe for LGBTQ expats?

Yes — Costa Rica is one of the most progressive countries in Central America. Same-sex marriage is legal, anti-discrimination laws exist, and the “live and let live” vibe makes daily life feel safer than many parts of the U.S. It’s not utopia, but you can hold hands without bracing for drama.

What does “Pura Vida” mean in Costa Rica?

Literally, it means “pure life.” In reality, it’s shorthand for everything’s good, and if it’s not, it will be. It’s a greeting, a goodbye, a vibe, and a reminder not to let life’s nonsense ruin your gallo pinto.

Is Costa Rica a good place for remote workers?

Yes — the time zone (CST, no daylight savings) makes U.S. work hours seamless. Internet can be spotty in some rural areas, but fiber and Starlink are widely available as backups. Bonus: Zoom calls hit different when a toucan is screeching outside your window.

How expensive is it to live in Costa Rica?

It depends on your lifestyle. Fresh fruit, healthcare, and public transportation? Affordable. Imported peanut butter, U.S.-style houses, and Amazon Prime (doesn’t exist here, sorry)? That’ll cost you. Plan smart and you’ll live well — especially if you embrace local markets and pura vida pace.

Why did you personally choose Costa Rica?

Because it aligned with my values: peace over militarism, sustainability over greed, community over chaos. Also — the beaches, the jungle, and the ability to live openly as a queer man. Costa Rica wasn’t my escape — it was my alignment.