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 United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Puntarenas in 2024 is 27% 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 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Puntarenas by expense type

Restaurant budget in Puntarenas

Lunch

$ 11/person
($ 7.1 to $ 20)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 32/person
($ 21 to $ 51)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 11/person
($ 9 to $ 11)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 3.5 for 500ml
($ 2 to $ 7.1)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 3 for 330ml
($ 2.1 to $ 5)

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15% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 3.5/cup
($ 2 to $ 6)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 2/can
($ 1.5 to $ 3)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 1.5/bottle
($ 1 to $ 3)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Puntarenas

1-star hotel

$ 82/night
($ 25 to $ 261)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

2-star hotel

$ 83/night
($ 37 to $ 168)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 157

3-star hotel

$ 138/night
($ 37 to $ 344)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 229

4-star hotel

$ 212/night
($ 98 to $ 447)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 306

5-star hotel

$ 215/night
($ 202 to $ 257)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 482

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 86/month
($ 23 to $ 280)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165

Room with kitchen

$ 114/month
($ 31 to $ 296)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 241

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 148/month
($ 39 to $ 496)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 212

Cottage or guest house

$ 98/month
($ 34 to $ 293)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

Family room

$ 184/month
($ 42 to $ 795)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 215

Supermarket food budget in Puntarenas

Milk

$ 2/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 4.4)

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89% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 2.6/500g
($ 1.6 to $ 3.6)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 1.6/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 4.1)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 2.9/12 eggs
($ 1.8 to $ 4.8)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 8/kg
($ 5 to $ 13)

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

Apples

$ 4.6/kg
($ 2.8 to $ 9)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 3.4)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 3)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 2.4
($ 1 to $ 3)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Puntarenas

Bus ticket

$ 1/ticket
( $ 1)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.5/km
($ 1.2 to $ 2)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.7)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.7
($ 1.3 to $ 1.9)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Leisure activity budget in Puntarenas

Cinema

$ 7.1/ticket
($ 7.1 to $ 11)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 11/hr
( $ 11)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Puntarenas

Cigarettes

$ 4.7/pack
($ 4.1 to $ 5.5)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 62
($ 51 to $ 106)

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13% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 55
($ 41 to $ 101)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

New York City → San José

$ 512
(fair price: $ 394)

Los Angeles → San José

$ 486
(fair price: $ 365)

London → San José

$ 756
(fair price: $ 676)

Montreal → San José

$ 668
(fair price: $ 561)

Toronto → San José

$ 652
(fair price: $ 517)

Chicago → San José

$ 514
(fair price: $ 421)