See also: food prices cost of living entertainment costs
Can you eat cheaply in restaurants in Costa Rica? What are the prices in affordable pubs in Costa Rica? How much will I have to spend a day when I only eat in fast food restaurants in Costa Rica?
If we are looking for an affordable place to eat, then in a cheap restaurant we will pay about 9.8 US dollars.
With limited time and to avoid spending too much, you can opt for fast food. The cost of a meal set (sandwich, fries, and a soda) is approximately 9.8 US dollars.
And when we can afford to go to the restaurant, we will pay for a meal consisting of three dishes around 59 US dollars.
And if you want to drink a beer or two, you have to pay extra: 5.9 US dollars (price for 2 bottles)
And if you prefer a Coke, Fanta, Sprite or similar carbonated drink, then you have to pay 2 US dollars for a small bottle.
Below you will find the full price list in Costa Rica, including cheap restaurant, Burger King or a similar bar, Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mirinda, imported beer, or a better restaurant for a couple
See also how prices have changed in previous years: Price changes in previous years in Costa Rica
What currency is used in Costa Rica and what is the conversion rate?
Currency in Costa Rica Costa Rican colón (CRC). For 10 US dollars you can get 5.08 thousand Costa Rican colóns. For 100 US dollars you can get 50.8 thousand Costa Rican colóns. And the other way around: For 100 Costa Rican colóns you can get 0.197 US dollars.
Prices: Alajuela Guadalupe San Jose Santa Ana Cartago Samara Liberia Puntarenas Curridabat Quesada
cheap restaurant
$9.8 ($5.9 - $19.7)
by half less than in United States
local beer
$3 ($1.9 - $5.9)
by half less than in United States
coffee
$3.5 ($2 - $5.9)
32% is less expensive than in United States
bottle of water
$1.6 ($1.2 - $2.6)
22% is less expensive than in United States
Burger King or a similar bar
$9.8 ($8.3 - $9.9)
8.4% is less expensive than in United States
Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mirinda
$2 ($1.5 - $3)
18% is less expensive than in United States
Price changes in Coffee over the years: 2011: $2.2(CRC 1.13K), 2012: $3(CRC 1.54K), 2013: $2.2(CRC 1.12K), 2014: $2.4(CRC 1.22K), 2015: $2.5(CRC 1.29K), 2016: $2.6(CRC 1.31K), 2017: $2.7(CRC 1.37K), and 2018: $3(CRC 1.54K)
Price changes in A Better Restaurant For A Couple over the years: 2011: $38(CRC 19.5K), 2012: $34(CRC 17.1K), 2013: $39(CRC 19.5K), 2014: $39(CRC 20K), 2015: $38(CRC 19.1K), 2016: $37(CRC 18.6K), 2017: $39(CRC 20K), and 2018: $39(CRC 20K)
Do we have to pay more for beer in the restaurant than we used to?
This is what beer prices looked like in 2011: $1.4(CRC 730), 2012: $1.9(CRC 981), 2013: $2(CRC 995), 2014: $2.2(CRC 1.1K), 2015: $2.3(CRC 1.15K), 2016: $2.1(CRC 1.08K), 2017: $3(CRC 1.5K), and 2018: $3(CRC 1.5K).
Do carbonated drinks cost more than they used to in Costa Rica?
On average, a bottle of Cola or Pepsi has cost: 2011: $1.6(CRC 790), 2012: $1.5(CRC 739), 2013: $1.6(CRC 825), 2014: $1.6(CRC 811), 2015: $1.5(CRC 783), 2016: $1.6(CRC 818), 2017: $1.6(CRC 829), and 2018: $1.8(CRC 918) in recent years
Price changes in Bottle Of Water over the years: 2011: $1.5(CRC 754), 2012: $1.3(CRC 657), 2013: $1.5(CRC 777), 2014: $1.2(CRC 622), 2015: $1.4(CRC 724), 2016: $1.4(CRC 693), 2017: $1.4(CRC 709), and 2018: $1.7(CRC 859)