Cost of living in Playa del Coco

Playa del Coco, a popular coastal town in Costa Rica, is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant lifestyle. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Playa del Coco, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants
  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15.66 on average, with a range between $8.81 and $15.66.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $68.53, with prices ranging from $50.91 to $86.16.
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) - A domestic beer costs between $2.94 and $3.5.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - Imported beer is priced at $5.87 to $6.
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - A Coke or Pepsi costs between $1.76 and $2.94.
  • Water (0.33 liter bottle) - Bottled water is priced between $1.66 and $2.35.
  • Cappuccino (regular) - A regular cappuccino costs between $5.87 and $9.79, averaging $7.83.
Grocery Prices
  • Milk - Milk is priced at $2.45 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $2.35.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese is priced at $4.9 per kg.
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) - A 1.5 liter bottle of water costs $5.87.
  • Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) - A mid-range bottle of wine costs $24.48.
  • Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) - A domestic beer bottle costs $2.35.
  • Chicken Fillets (1kg) - Chicken fillets are priced at $13.71 per kg.
  • Oranges (1kg) - Oranges cost $1.96 per kg.
  • Potato (1kg) - Potatoes are priced at $2.45 per kg.
  • Tomato (1kg) - Tomatoes cost $2.45 per kg.
  • Beef Round (1kg) - Beef round or equivalent red meat costs $19.58 per kg.
Transportation
  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $0.78.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.45 and $2.08 per liter, averaging $1.99.
  • Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) - Taxi fares start at $2.45, with a range between $1.96 and $2.94.
  • Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) - The cost per kilometer for a taxi is $2.
Housing Costs
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1200.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $650.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1800.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1200.
Utilities
  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $244.76 on average.
  • Internet - Internet services average $68.53.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 9 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$15.66
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$68.53
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.94
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.87
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99
Cappuccino (regular)
$7.83
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$2.45
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.35
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.90
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$5.87
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$24.48
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.71
Oranges (1kg)
$1.96
Potato (1kg)
$2.45
Tomato (1kg)
$2.45
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$19.58
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.78
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.99
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.45
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,200.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$650.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,800.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,200.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$244.76
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$68.53
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$41.33
Worldwide
Costa Rica

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Costa Rica are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Costa Rica, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025
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1
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