In comparison to the other countries of Central America, Costa Rica has a high cost of living. In comparison to the US or Europe, the costs are pretty low. Of course, daily expenses depend on the personal lifestyle and on the region you are located. As everywhere on earth, rural places are cheaper than touristic centers.

A few examples:

• Bread (1/2 kg) - $ 2.30
• Tetra pack milk (1l) - $ 1.43
• Lunch (Restaurant) ~ $ 8
• Bus (Downtown) ~ $ 0.50
• Bus (San Jose - Coast) ~ $ 6
• Sports jacket (Puma, Nike) ~ $ 48
• Shoes (leather) ~ $ 45
• Accommodation (comfortable cabanas/per pers.) ~ $ 30
• Electricity (Household, 2 Pers.) ~ $ 9
• Water (Household, 2 pers.) ~ $ 8
• Garbage - depends on municipality
• Home help (24h/7d, charge per month) ~ $ 220
• Charlady (2x per week, charge per month) ~ $ 34
• Cab (20min) ~ $ 11
• Marmalade (250g) ~ $ 2.80
• Bottle of water (1,5l) ~ $ 1.15
• Bottle of beer (Supermarket, 0,7l) ~ $ 1.38
• Bottle of beer (Bar/Restaurant, 0,7l) ~ $ 1.30
• Newspaper (La Nacion) ~ $ 0.50
• Sunday paper (La Nacion) ~ $ 0.70
• Beef-Steak (400g) ~ $ 1.84
• Cornflakes (Kellogg's) ~ $ 5.75 [imported]
• Soap (100g) ~ $ 0.90
• Breakfast ("Gallo Pinto", eggs, natilla, bread, coffee with milk) ~ $ 3.60
• Parking taxes (in parking garages) < $ 2.40
• Bike rental (1 day) ~ $ 6
• Surfboard rental (24h) ~ $ 32
• Internet-Café (1h) ~ $ 2
• DSL-Flat rate (monthly charge, without singular costs, 512kbit/s) ~ $ 35
• Telephone (monthly, 3h) ~ $ 15
• Bed - Queen-size (anti allergenic mattress included) ~ $ 250
• Coffee machine (simple model) ~ $ 18
• Hairdresser (haircut for men) ~ $ 7.50
• 1kg bananas ~ $ 0.30

It has to be mentioned, that every process which is based on human resources and which does not contain material costs can be very very cheap (for example hairdresser, construction worker or dentist). All national goods are cheap as well. Imported goods on the other side are pretty expensive. Hence it's no problem to sell in Costa Rica a half year old computer from the US for the original purchase price. All electricity imports are bonded with high import tariffs (up to 100%). This will change soon, due to the progressing policies concerning the liberation of trade (TLC/CAFTA).