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

Nicoya travel budget

Nicoya: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Nicoya

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

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

Cost of living in Nicoya compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Nicoya in 2025 is 7% 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 Nicoya in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Nicoya by expense type

Restaurant budget in Nicoya

Lunch

$ 14/person
($ 7.8 to $ 25)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 34/person
($ 24 to $ 56)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 12/person
($ 12 to $ 14)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 3.4 for 500ml
($ 2.2 to $ 5.7)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 3.4 for 330ml
($ 2.3 to $ 6.1)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Cappuccino

$ 4.4/cup
($ 2.4 to $ 7.8)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 2.3/can
($ 1.7 to $ 3.4)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Water bottle

$ 1.7/bottle
($ 1.3 to $ 2.2)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Nicoya

1-star hotel

$ 111/night
($ 57 to $ 287)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 174

2-star hotel

$ 156/night
($ 46 to $ 425)

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6% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

3-star hotel

$ 196/night
($ 71 to $ 700)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 245

4-star hotel

$ 371/night
($ 120 to $ 1047)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 345

5-star hotel

$ 435/night
($ 435 to $ 435)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 563

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 186/month
($ 61 to $ 456)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177

Room with kitchen

$ 220/month
($ 48 to $ 1030)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 262

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 222/month
($ 47 to $ 975)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Cottage or guest house

$ 207/month
($ 97 to $ 466)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 253

Family room

$ 305/month
($ 69 to $ 1359)

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41% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 217

Supermarket food budget in Nicoya

Milk

$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 2.7)

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96% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 2.9/500g
($ 1.4 to $ 4.9)

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24% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 2.3/kg
($ 2 to $ 3.4)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Eggs

$ 3.7/12 eggs
($ 2.2 to $ 6.1)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 10.3/kg
($ 5.6 to $ 12)

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

Apples

$ 4.8/kg
($ 3.1 to $ 6.6)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 3.5/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 4.4)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 3.5/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 4.8)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 3.1
($ 2.2 to $ 3.4)

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31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Nicoya

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.1/km
($ 1.5 to $ 2.7)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.6/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 1.6)

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56% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 2.1
($ 1.5 to $ 2.2)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Leisure activity budget in Nicoya

Cinema

$ 12/ticket
($ 8.8 to $ 12)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Nicoya

Cigarettes

$ 5.9/pack
($ 4.4 to $ 6.1)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 87
($ 57 to $ 116)

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52% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 57

Summer dress

$ 62
($ 56 to $ 78)

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32% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → San José

$ 915
(fair price: $ 818)

Montreal → San José

$ 658
(fair price: $ 524)

New York City → San José

$ 541
(fair price: $ 398)

Toronto → San José

$ 660
(fair price: $ 505)

Chicago → San José

$ 535
(fair price: $ 423)

Los Angeles → San José

$ 547
(fair price: $ 426)