Travel budget and cost of living in Alajuela (Costa Rica) how much does a trip cost?

Alajuela travel budget

Alajuela: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Alajuela

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Alajuela for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Alajuela compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Alajuela in 2025 is 15% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Alajuela in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Alajuela by expense type

Restaurant budget in Alajuela

Lunch

$ 10.1/person
($ 7.1 to $ 32)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 21/person
($ 19 to $ 50)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 9.5/person
($ 9.1 to $ 13)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 2.2 for 500ml
($ 1.7 to $ 5)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 2.6 for 330ml
($ 1 to $ 5.7)

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31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Cappuccino

$ 3.7/cup
($ 2 to $ 7.1)

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31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4

Fizzy drink

$ 2.1/can
($ 1.5 to $ 3.3)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 1.3/bottle
($ 0.9 to $ 2.4)

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37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Alajuela

1-star hotel

$ 54/night
($ 23 to $ 220)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

2-star hotel

$ 81/night
($ 25 to $ 330)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165

3-star hotel

$ 117/night
($ 26 to $ 435)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 243

4-star hotel

$ 222/night
($ 66 to $ 891)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 345

5-star hotel

$ 637/night
($ 374 to $ 1109)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 575

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 63/month
($ 23 to $ 255)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176

Room with kitchen

$ 155/month
($ 24 to $ 1390)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 263

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 163/month
($ 30 to $ 1150)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Cottage or guest house

$ 76/month
($ 36 to $ 185)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 254

Family room

$ 174/month
($ 27 to $ 1346)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 216

Supermarket food budget in Alajuela

Milk

$ 2/litre
($ 1.4 to $ 2.8)

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81% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 2.4/500g
($ 1.2 to $ 4.4)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.4

Rice

$ 2.3/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 4.1)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 2.3/12 eggs
($ 1.2 to $ 4.1)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 8.9/kg
($ 5 to $ 16)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 3.9/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 6.7)

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24% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 2.9/kg
($ 2 to $ 8)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 2.9/kg
($ 2 to $ 7.1)

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1% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 2.6
($ 1 to $ 3.5)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Alajuela

Bus ticket

$ 0.8/ticket
($ 0.7 to $ 1)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.4/km
($ 1.4 to $ 2)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 1.5/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.6)

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61% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.4
($ 1.4 to $ 2)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 60/24hrs
($ 17 to $ 148)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 83

Leisure activity budget in Alajuela

Cinema

$ 9.1/ticket
($ 6 to $ 16)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 46/hr
($ 8 to $ 82)

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102% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Alajuela

Cigarettes

$ 5/pack
($ 4.6 to $ 13)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.1

Levi's jeans

$ 64
($ 47 to $ 102)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 53
($ 41 to $ 82)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 45

Plane ticket budget

London → San José

$ 900
(fair price: $ 802)

Montreal → San José

$ 634
(fair price: $ 497)

New York City → San José

$ 523
(fair price: $ 386)

Toronto → San José

$ 636
(fair price: $ 479)

Los Angeles → San José

$ 544
(fair price: $ 420)

Chicago → San José

$ 524
(fair price: $ 408)