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Costa Rica on a Tight Budget

by Jeanne in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers, retirees, and ex-pats. Forbes’ Lifestyle and Travel ranked Costa Rica #2 in The World’s Most Welcoming Retirement Havens in 2022.

With its tropical climate, beaches, stunning forests, and vibrant culture, it's no surprise that people are drawn to the country. Planning and ensuring you have a solid budget for your move is essential to make your life easier.

From finding affordable housing to learning how to cook local dishes, there are plenty of ways to make ends meet while still enjoying this unique country's beauty.

Here are some tips on living in Costa Rica on a tight budget to have the best of both worlds!

Keeping Expenses Down – Where to Live

Costa Rica continues to be a popular ex-pat destination. Besides the country's beauty, there are economic reasons many choose to live here. Single people can live on $1,500 monthly, and couples can live on $2,000 monthly.

Depending on your chosen location, whether you rent or buy, and how you like to live can affect your final monthly costs. Some choices to keep your cost of living low are the following:

• Choose a location where living expenses are low

• Learn where and how to eat

• If you don’t have a car, select a place where there is public transportation.

• Buy a home so you don’t have a mortgage (a serious option for retirees or soon-to-be retirees)

Different Locations, Different Costs

To live on a very tight budget, you should consider spending $1,100-$1,400 monthly. You will spend this money the more inland you go (away from the beach).

These inland towns include:

Cartago in the Central Valley

Limon on the Caribbean side

Heredia in Central Costa Rica

Your budget will look something like this:

Table from alittledrift.com

*NOTE — Remember, you can easily live on more. The more attention you put on living simply without the frills, the less expensive your life in Costa Rica will be.

Learn to Cook Tico Style

Eat at local restaurants called “sodas”. These are small restaurants sprinkled through neighborhoods throughout Costa Rica. They serve local foods, and the most popular dish is Casado which typically includes protein, rice, beans, salad, and can include plantains. You can buy a Casado and drink for $5.00.

Other items on a soda’s menu include “platos tradicionales” (traditional food) and arroz con pollo, camarones, calamares or mariscos. This means rice with chicken, shrimp, calamari, or seafood. Any of these dishes will fill you up for very little money.

Another way to keep your food budget down is to learn to cook Tico style. Tico-style cooking uses beans, rice and includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and small portions of meat. These ingredients can be picked up inexpensively at local fruit and vegetable stands and farmer’s markets.

Gallo Pinto is a typical and filling dish you can learn to cook at home. It is a staple recipe using easy, low-cost ingredients. You can eat it as a whole meal or as a side to any dish at any time. For more traditional Costa Rican recipes that you can prepare at home to keep costs down and enjoy the flavors of Costa Rica, click here.

Entertainment

Costa Rica is a country where outdoor living is the norm. There is always something to do no matter where you are, and it doesn’t have to cost much. For example, depending on where you live, the beach, hiking, picnics, farmer’s markets, and traveling shows are happening.

Another great form of entertainment is getting together with friends and watching the sunset, whether from a mountaintop or the beach. Again, it doesn’t cost a cent. Consider visiting the national parks, taking a hike, visiting museums, and visiting waterfalls. All of these activities are free or very inexpensive.

There is plenty of entertainment to keep yourself busy, to learn about the country, or to take an adventure with friends.

A Final Thought

Costa Rica is an excellent place to start if you live on a tight budget. If you're willing to do creative budgeting, you can live a comfortable and sustainable life in Costa Rica without breaking the bank.

Choosing your living location wisely, cooking Tico style or visiting local sodas, and taking in all the activities and entertainment Costa Rica offers will give you much enjoyment at a low cost.

Because of the natural beauty of this country, you can live a no-frills lifestyle, and if this level of simplicity is what you’re looking for, Costa Rica is a beautiful place to do it.

Pura Vida! 🌺