Cheapest priced cityPuntarenas$768 essentials/mo
Priciest priced cityTamarindo$1,675 essentials/mo
Average 1-bed outside centre$521across 4 priced cities
Tourist stay signalUp to 180 days visa-free for US/Canada/UK/EU citizens on arrival; a dedicated remote-worker visa exempts foreign income from local tax.as of 2026-07
City-by-city monthly costs
Essentials are sourced rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining, and local transport. They are not a full lifestyle budget.
| City | Essentials | 1-bed outside | 1-bed centre | Groceries | Dining | Utilities | Transport | Avg salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puntarenas | $768 | $258 | $363 | $194 | $178 | $96 | $42 | $865 |
| Liberia | $886 | $264 | $330 | $205 | $223 | $139 | $55 | $879 |
| Heredia | $1,370 | $612 | $990 | $314 | $271 | $157 | $16 | $1,354 |
| Tamarindo | $1,675 | $950 | $1,924 | $235 | $247 | $157 | $86 | $938 |
Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.
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