❗️Think Life in Costa Rica Is Always Cheap?

Here’s What It Really Costs — And How to Make It Work in 2025

Many Canadians move to Costa Rica hoping for a simpler, more affordable life. And it’s true — it can be.

But if you settle into a tourist town, shop at expat-style grocery stores, and live like you’re still in Canada… you might find your budget stretched to the limit.

That was my experience — until I changed everything.

🇨🇦 Melanie’s Story: From Imported Groceries to Local Living

When I first moved here, I was shocked at how much I was spending.

I did what most newcomers do — I shopped at BM and bought the same brands I used in Canada. What I didn’t realize is that most North American food products here come with import taxes as high as 50–70%. It adds up fast.

Worse, I was still cooking Canadian meals. Things like broccoli, cauliflower, certain cheeses or berries are hard to find and expensive off-season.

Everything changed when I started eating like a Tica.

Instead of imported goods, I focused on what grows here — rice, beans, papayas, mangos, yuca, plantains, squash, and fresh eggs. I began trading bananas with a neighbor for avocados, getting milk from a local farmer, and even learning to make my own cheese, yogurt, and tortillas.

Now I preserve what’s in season — I freeze, dry, or can fruits and vegetables while they’re abundant. I’ve reduced my food bill drastically. Most of what I eat comes from my garden or from trading with neighbors. I keep chickens for eggs.

Outside the cities, life is simpler and much cheaper. We don’t have malls pushing advertising or tempting us with endless shopping. People fix their appliances instead of throwing them out. There’s pride in recycling and reusing.

And the savings go beyond food. I pay just $67/month for electricity — and I don’t need air conditioning where I live in the mountains. My internet is $62/month, and it’s fast enough to run web design and social media business.

Hiring help is affordable too:

• $2–3/hour for a cleaning lady

• $4–6/hour for home repairs or gardening

We cook at home, gather with friends, and spend time outdoors — at the beach, rivers, or farms. And I save even more just by line-drying my clothes in the sun, which shines most mornings in dry and rain season.

💰 What It Really Costs to Live in Costa Rica in 2025

Category	Average Monthly Cost (USD)	Notes
Rent (2BR home)	$600 – $1,200	Much higher in tourist towns — stay rural for savings
Utilities	$50 – $100	No heating; A/C not needed in the mountains
Groceries (local)	$200 – $400	Buy seasonal produce; avoid imported brands
Internet	$60 – $70	High-speed available even in remote areas
Dining out	$5–10 (soda), $20–40 (expat resto)	Eating at home saves a lot
Domestic help	$2–3/hour	Cleaning, childcare, cooking
Repairs (labor)	$4–6/hour	Plumbing, electrical, yard work
Transportation	$40 – $100	Gas or public buses
Health Insurance	$75 – $150	Public (Caja) + optional private

🧠 Want to Save More? Get Out of Tourist Zones

One of the best ways to cut your cost of living is simple: Don’t live where everyone vacations.

Tourist towns are designed for visitors — not locals. Rent is inflated. Restaurants are expensive. Even the grocery stores are full of imported goods.

When you choose smaller towns or rural areas:

• You find cheaper rentals

• You live closer to farmers and markets

• You avoid the marketing, pressure, and constant spending cycle

It’s not just cheaper — it’s calmer, more connected, and more human.

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica isn’t always “cheap” — but it can be deeply affordable when you shift your lifestyle. Learn to live like a local, to cook, to fix things and the benefits go way beyond savings.

You’ll feel more rooted, more connected, and more free.

👉 Ready to live better — and spend less — just 25 minutes outside the crowds?

Explore affordable homes away from tourist pricing, discover local residency tips, and start planning your transition with confidence:🔗 arcadiacostaricarealestate.com

—Arcadia Team