Costa Rica Cost of Living Information:
Costa Rica cost of living expenses are quite
different and cheaper than what we experience here in
the United States. Here are two monthly budgets of native U.S.
citizens that now live in Costa Rica:
FYI: The following costs were given in the
Costa Rica currency of the colon. Exchange rate on date of
posting: ˘546 colónes = $1 USD
Rent: ˘185.000
Water: ˘7.000
Electricity: ˘21.000 [revised]
Internet [high-speed]: ˘20.000
Cable TV: ˘15.000
Phone: ˘4.000
Cell Phones (2 lines): ˘12.000
Groceries: ˘55.000
Bus: ˘10.000
Pharmacy: ˘8.000
House Cleaning: ˘20.000
Entertainment & Restaurants: ˘75.000
[Miscellaneous]: ˘50.000
Sub-total using public transportation: ˘482.000 (approximately
$883.00/month).
Another Costa Rica Living contributor added that Health
Insurance available through the Costa Rica "CAJA" medical system
runs ˘28.000 for 2 people over 55 (CAJA medical insurance
features; No Exclusions due to Pre-existing Conditions, No
Deductibles, No Co-pays, No Out-of-Pocket Expenses and most
Prescribed Medications at No Additional Costs).
Sub-total using public transportation with full medical
coverage: ˘510.000 (approx. $934.00/month)
Owning a car substantially increases your cost of living, for
just the gas alone. Fixed costs for a 2 year old vehicle with
full coverage car insurance were reported at ˘330.000 colónes
for 6 months + the annual "marchamo" registration of ˘308.000
colónes. Current gas costs for light local driving is
approximated at ˘50.000 monthly and oil changes every 3,000
miles go for about ˘16.000 colónes.
Grand Total - Costa Rica "Comfortable" Cost of Living with
automobile & healthcare: ˘646.000 (approx. $1,183.00/month)
"How about ... the upper middle end of middle class in Costa
Rica? ... The budget below is for two people living in a 3 bed
3.5 bath home with a pool and Jacuzzi. I have not included
entertainment outside the home ... I have however included
"Legal expenses" in my budget. It is a fact that if you own
anything in Costa Rica you are going to need a lawyer for
everything... " -The Consul (as posted 07/22/08 on Costa Rica
Living)
House Mortgage: $1,400.00
Condo [Association] Fee: $190.00
Auto Insurance: $125.00
Private Health Insurance: $125.00
INS Insurance: $28.00
Health Maintenance: $150.00
Auto Fuel: $400.00
Auto Maintenance: $75.00
House Keeper [full time]: $293.58
Groceries: $513.77
Gardener: $40.00
House phone: $31.00
Cell Phone: $15.00
Legal: $500.00
Grand Total - Costa Rica "Upper Middle Suburb" Cost of Living:
˘2.118.060,75 (approx. $3,886.35/month)
IN SUMMARY
So there you have it ... some are Costa Rica "middle-class" at
$935/month and some "upper middle end of middle class" at
$1,000/week.
My own experience in Costa Rica closely resembles the
$1,200.00/month example for two people with an automobile and
CAJA health insurance. My costs include private bilingual
primary school for my son but exclude major purchases that are
likely one-time or limited in reoccurrence such as household
items, automobiles, etc.
By William Clanton
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Costa Rica's Monarch Butterfly
Costa Rica's Red Eyed Frog
Monteverde's Hummingbird
Blue Jean Dart Frog with Tadpole
Costa Rica has the most exotic wildlife.
They have such a large variety of breathtaking species!
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