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

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.

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

Cost of living in Puntarenas compared to Costa Rica in 2021

On average, the cost of living in Puntarenas in 2021 is 20% 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 2021 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Puntarenas by expense type

Restaurant budget in Puntarenas

Lunch

$ 6.7/person
($ 3.8 to $ 9.6)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

3 course dinner

$ 23/person
($ 9.6 to $ 30)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 28

McDonald's meal

$ 7.6/person
($ 5.5 to $ 9.6)

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2% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.9

Local beer

$ 2.3 for 500ml
($ 1.3 to $ 3.8)

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

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.6 to $ 3.5)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Cappuccino

$ 1.9/cup
($ 1.7 to $ 2.9)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.2

Fizzy drink

$ 1.8/can
($ 1.1 to $ 2.5)

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4% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Water bottle

$ 1.4/bottle
($ 1 to $ 2.3)

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4% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.5

Hotel and accommodation budget in Puntarenas

1-star hotel

$ 34/night
($ 23 to $ 47)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 109

2-star hotel

$ 69/night
($ 48 to $ 95)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 126

3-star hotel

$ 118/night
($ 94 to $ 150)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 180

4-star hotel

$ 285/night
($ 175 to $ 434)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 262

Hotel/Youth Hostel

$ 40/month
($ 22 to $ 78)

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67% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 122

Room with kitchen

$ 146/month
($ 71 to $ 293)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 97/month
($ 60 to $ 145)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165

Cottage or guest house

$ 82/month
($ 47 to $ 171)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Family room

$ 128/month
($ 66 to $ 201)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

Supermarket food budget in Puntarenas

Milk

$ 1.3/litre
($ 1 to $ 1.7)

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51% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.8

Bread

$ 1.7/500g
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Rice

$ 2/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 2.2)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Eggs

$ 3.1/12 eggs
($ 1.7 to $ 4.7)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Cheese

$ 6.9/kg
($ 3.8 to $ 9)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Chicken

$ 6/kg
($ 2.9 to $ 8.6)

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32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 8.9

Apples

$ 4.8/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 5.7)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Oranges

$ 1.2/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.3)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Tomatoes

$ 1.7/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 2.3)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.2

Potatoes

$ 1.9/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 2.3)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Salad

$ 1/salad
($ 0.6 to $ 1)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.6

Water bottle

$ 1.9
($ 1.9 to $ 2.9)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Joint of beef

$ 8.1/kg
($ 5.7 to $ 12)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Public and private transport budget in Puntarenas

Bus ticket

$ 0.8/ticket
( $ 0.8)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Bus pass

$ 53/month
( $ 53)

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24% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 70

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.2/km
($ 1 to $ 1.3)

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24% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.6

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1 to $ 1.3)

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75% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.7

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.3
($ 1.2 to $ 1.3)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Car hire

$ 41/24hrs
($ 41 to $ 41)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 40

Budget for living and housing in Puntarenas

Electricity, water...

$ 84/month
($ 39 to $ 107)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161

Mobile phone

$ 0.1/min.
($ 0 to $ 0.1)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.1

Broadband internet

$ 69/month
($ 22 to $ 116)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 65

Studio flat (city centre)

$ 863/month
( $ 863)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1333

Studio flat (suburbs)

$ 384/month
( $ 384)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1070

Flat (centre)

$ 1247/month
( $ 1247)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2126

Flat (suburbs)

$ 720/month
( $ 720)

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57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1695

Gym

$ 33/month
( $ 33)

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15% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

Private nursery

$ 388/month
($ 183 to $ 645)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 923

Private primary school

$ 8807/yr
($ 4601 to $ 14343)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15597

Leisure activity budget in Puntarenas

Cinema

$ 6.7/ticket
($ 3.8 to $ 9.6)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Tennis

$ 13/hr
( $ 13)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Puntarenas

Cigarettes

$ 4.8/pack
($ 1.7 to $ 5.7)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.9

Levi's jeans

$ 76
($ 35 to $ 88)

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69% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 45

Summer dress

$ 57
($ 12 to $ 78)

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55% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 36

Trainers

$ 114
($ 49 to $ 174)

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51% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 76

Leather shoes

$ 97
($ 59 to $ 145)

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2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 95

Plane ticket budget

London → San Jose

$ 812
(fair price: $ 648)

New York City → San Jose

$ 444
(fair price: $ 339)

Los Angeles → San Jose

$ 481
(fair price: $ 397)

Toronto (Ontario) → San Jose

$ 515
(fair price: $ 438)

Montreal → San Jose

$ 545
(fair price: $ 457)

Manchester → San Jose

$ 906
(fair price: $ 787)

Dublin → San Jose

$ 950
(fair price: $ 863)

Edinburgh → San Jose

$ 944
(fair price: $ 836)

Sydney → San Jose

$ 1599
(fair price: $ 1409)

Auckland → San Jose

$ 1824
(fair price: $ 1573)

Melbourne → San Jose

$ 1771
(fair price: $ 1561)