The cost to live in Costa Rica is not set in stone. Depending on ones habits it would be easy to spend many thousands a month in this beautiful country eating out every night and buying all the expensive amenities that one might be used to if they moved from a big city in the US for example. Everything is relative. Perhaps you are thinking of a Costa Rica retirement plan and want to live on a certain budget. The great news is you can live here for less than you can virtually anywhere in the US. But don’t take that to mean that everything costs less here. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some things cost quite a bit more here than they would back in the United States.

To give you a basic overview of how most prices on things here compare to the US I’ve compiled the following guidelines based solely on my own experiences. I have found the cost to live in Costa Rica and eat out is equivalent to the cost of eating out in Los Angeles where I moved from. I don’t think it costs more or less to eat out in Costa Rica so in that category you’ll break about even. I have found that beer costs quite a bit more here on average. In fact, the beer that I enjoy here costs more than Newcastle does (Newcastle is my preferred beer of choice)… Bavaria Negra is the only beer that comes remotely close to Newcastle but it costs more than $10 per 6 pack in some places and that’s in cans for crying out loud. I have found it for as low as $8.40 in a couple of places so that’s where I buy it now.

Buying your basic fruits and vegetables here is extremely cheap however, a few things like mushrooms, a more gourmet item, will cost you more here. Buying processed food is more expensive. Snack foods like potato chips are very expensive. By eating healthy food you can get the most savings. Wow, it’s exactly like it should be! Prepare your own food healthy food and you can save a bundle. What a concept. Grow your own food and you can save even more.

Gasoline costs more here. It is presently $5.60 a gallon as I write this article. I recommend buying a diesel 4 x 4 if you are going to buy a car and live outside the city. The diesel cars and trucks get great mileage and the fuel costs less than gasoline. Public transportation I am told is very good and very cheap so if you can get around by bus you’ll save a bundle there as well. Entertainment is relatively cheap here. You probably won’t spend as much in that area if you decide to go through with your Costa Rica retirement plan.

Farmers markets are cropping up all over the southern area near the sustainable community called Osa Mountain Village. The quality of the foods from them is very good. Residents of Osa Mountain Village will have their own farmers market right on the property and the food will be freely distributed to all residents. It’s a benefit included in the $150 per month HOA fees one pays if they own a villa in phase one of the community.

All in all, the cost to live in Costa Rica is only less if you adopt a more Tico way of living. By doing so you can live pretty cheaply like many citizens of Costa Rica already do. By doing so in the right place you can have your money go even further than you ever thought possible.

If you are looking for a way to utilize money you have in a retirement plan or bank account to relocate to Costa Rica consider purchasing a villa at Osa Mountain Village Phase one. It is a great opportunity because no matter what happens with the economy you win. If the economy continues downhill in the world Osa Mountain Village will be a great place to live an abundant life outside of the chaos engulfing much of the world. The sustainable, food producing community model offers a safe haven amidst it all. And if by good grace the economy improves, Osa Mountain Village Resort is becoming the premier eco resort of the southern zone of Costa Rica. With a good economy comes tourists which will bring income to owners through businesses and the lucrative rental pool program for those that want to use their villa as an income property. Find out more by filling in the form below and a representative will contact you shortly.