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

Tilaran travel budget

Tilaran: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Tilaran

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

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

Cost of living in Tilaran compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Tilaran in 2025 is 13% 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 Tilaran in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Tilaran by expense type

Restaurant budget in Tilaran

Lunch

$ 6.8/person
($ 5.2 to $ 8.3)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 25/person
($ 16 to $ 32)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 8.3/person
($ 8.3 to $ 8.3)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 2.4 for 500ml
($ 2.4 to $ 2.4)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 2.7 for 330ml
($ 2.7 to $ 2.7)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Cappuccino

$ 2.8/cup
($ 2.6 to $ 2.9)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 1.6/can
($ 1.6 to $ 1.6)

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

Water bottle

$ 1.5/bottle
($ 1.5 to $ 1.5)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Tilaran

1-star hotel

$ 56/night
($ 32 to $ 172)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

2-star hotel

$ 106/night
($ 27 to $ 599)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

3-star hotel

$ 158/night
($ 27 to $ 746)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 246

4-star hotel

$ 363/night
($ 58 to $ 1217)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 346

5-star hotel

$ 833/night
($ 277 to $ 1536)

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48% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 565

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 80/month
($ 31 to $ 268)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178

Room with kitchen

$ 154/month
($ 24 to $ 789)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 264

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 233/month
($ 39 to $ 1331)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

Cottage or guest house

$ 90/month
($ 46 to $ 182)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 254

Family room

$ 229/month
($ 27 to $ 1286)

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

Supermarket food budget in Tilaran

Milk

$ 2.9/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 4.2)

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156% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 2.4/500g
($ 0.9 to $ 4)

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37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 3.1)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 2.9/12 eggs
($ 2.4 to $ 3.5)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 15/kg
($ 15 to $ 15)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 4.2/kg
($ 4.2 to $ 4.2)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 2.1/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 2.1)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 2.4/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 2.4)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 2.9
($ 2.9 to $ 2.9)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Tilaran

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.2/km
($ 1.2 to $ 1.2)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.5/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 1.5)

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41% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.2
($ 1.2 to $ 1.2)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Leisure activity budget in Tilaran

Cinema

$ 14/ticket
($ 14 to $ 14)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Tilaran

Cigarettes

$ 6.3/pack
($ 6.3 to $ 6.3)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 84
($ 84 to $ 84)

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46% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 84
($ 84 to $ 84)

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79% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → San José

$ 920
(fair price: $ 822)

Montreal → San José

$ 661
(fair price: $ 527)

New York City → San José

$ 543
(fair price: $ 400)

Toronto → San José

$ 663
(fair price: $ 507)

Chicago → San José

$ 537
(fair price: $ 426)

Los Angeles → San José

$ 550
(fair price: $ 428)