Puntarenas travel budget

Puntarenas: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Puntarenas

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

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 57 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 16 per person
  • $ 4.2 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1337* (676564 CRC)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 129 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 33 per person
  • $ 15 per person
  • $ 12 per person

Total budget:

$ 3430* (1735566 CRC)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 194 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 55 per person
  • $ 35 per person
  • $ 23 per person

Total budget:

$ 5847* (2958620 CRC)

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



Cost of living in Puntarenas compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Puntarenas in 2025 is 31% 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 Puntarenas in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-28%-28%-28%-28%-22%-22%-18%-18%-36%-36%-55%-55%Price variation between Puntarenas and United States (countrywide average) in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-60-50-40-30-20-100



Local prices in Puntarenas by expense type

Restaurant budget in Puntarenas

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Puntarenas is 28% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Puntarenas (compared to United States)2222414112126.56.58.48.4343410.410.43.43.4United StatesPuntarenasLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer02468101214161820222426283032343638404244
Lunch
Lunch
$ 8.4/person
($ 7.9 to $ 26)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 34/person
($ 21 to $ 58)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 10.4/person
($ 9.4 to $ 14)

12% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 3.4 for 500ml
($ 2.2 to $ 7.9)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.7 for 330ml
($ 2.3 to $ 6.3)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 4.4/cup
($ 2.4 to $ 7.9)

21% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.3/can
($ 1.7 to $ 3.4)

15% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.7/bottle
($ 1.2 to $ 3.4)

20% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Puntarenas

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Puntarenas is 28% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Puntarenas (compared to United States)16716724624634634617817825425410110115715723223297979797United StatesPuntarenas2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 75/night
($ 39 to $ 174)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 101/night
($ 41 to $ 266)

39% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 157/night
($ 33 to $ 475)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 246
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 232/night
($ 96 to $ 462)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 346
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 888/night
($ 818 to $ 961)

58% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 565
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 97/month
($ 48 to $ 203)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 132/month
($ 32 to $ 515)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 264
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 193/month
($ 55 to $ 684)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 97/month
($ 42 to $ 245)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 254
Family room
Family room
$ 206/month
($ 37 to $ 780)

5% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218

Supermarket food budget in Puntarenas

On average, the price of supermarket food in Puntarenas is 22% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Puntarenas (compared to United States)4414145.35.33.23.22.62.6991.51.51.71.7United StatesPuntarenasEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes0123456789101112131415
Milk
Milk
$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.7 to $ 2.7)

98% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 3/500g
($ 1.4 to $ 5)

23% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 2.2/kg
($ 2 to $ 3.4)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.6/12 eggs
($ 2.2 to $ 6.3)

37% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Chicken
Chicken
$ 9/kg
($ 5.6 to $ 13)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 4.1/kg
($ 3.1 to $ 6.8)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.5/kg
($ 1.5 to $ 4.5)

71% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.7/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 4.9)

44% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.2
($ 2.2 to $ 3.4)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Puntarenas

On average, the price of transport in Puntarenas is 18% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Puntarenas (compared to United States)2.72.71.91.9118181112.12.11.51.54747United StatesPuntarenasBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075808590
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1/ticket
( $ 1)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 2.1/km
($ 1.6 to $ 2.7)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.5/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 1.7)

47% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 2.1
($ 1.6 to $ 2.2)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 47/24hrs
($ 17 to $ 159)

42% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 81

Leisure activity budget in Puntarenas

On average, budget for leisure activities in Puntarenas is 36% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 12/ticket
($ 9 to $ 12)

26% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 12/hr
( $ 12)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Puntarenas

On average, shopping budget in Puntarenas is 55% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 5.1/pack
($ 4.5 to $ 6.3)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 28
($ 28 to $ 118)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 19
($ 19 to $ 91)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → San José
London → San José
London → San José
$ 920
(fair price: $ 822)
Montreal → San José
Montreal → San José
Montreal → San José
$ 661
(fair price: $ 527)
New York City → San José
New York City → San José
New York City → San José
$ 543
(fair price: $ 400)
Toronto → San José
Toronto → San José
Toronto → San José
$ 663
(fair price: $ 507)
Chicago → San José
Chicago → San José
Chicago → San José
$ 537
(fair price: $ 426)
Los Angeles → San José
Los Angeles  → San José
Los Angeles  → San José
$ 550
(fair price: $ 428)



About this information on the cost of living in Puntarenas

The information about the cost of living in Puntarenas shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Puntarenas was updated on 30-03-2025.

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