Roger W. Says:
I am single with no dependents and want to know how much I would need to live in Costa Rica. I am 78 so would have to have decent health coverage.
Costa Rica Expat John Michael Arthur Says:
Hola Roger!
This is a great question, but one that is always subject to so many personal choices that it makes it difficult to answer precisely. However, let me see if I can give you some general ideas that will help you decide about your specific situation.
Let’s begin where you ended—healthcare. If you are coming here planning on being a full-time legal resident, part of that process enrolls you in the government social medicine program (affectionately called the CAJA.) You would have full coverage, with no exclusion for pre-existing conditions. Think of it being sort of like the Veterans Administration medical system in the US. Cost varies as a percentage based on your reported pension income. (We currently pay about $85 per month.)
There are definitely two camps of expats—those that believe living here is more costly than the US and those of us who find that we live on much less. What’s the difference? Primarily it comes down to two main choices.
The first is where to live. Just like in the States, some areas of the country are much more costly to live in than others. As you might expect, tourist areas and beach areas are much more expensive than the mountain areas. And the rural areas are even more economical. For example, the rental price for a similar apartment on the beach versus a mountain area just outside the urban zones could find a difference of $1000+ per month in contrast to $300 per month.
The second is adapting to the culture and buying local. Many expats of the “costs more” group only buy products that they already are familiar with—in other words, the products they used in the States. Those all carry a high import tax. Why buy laundry detergent made in and imported from the US when there are similar Central America products that cost less?
I can tell you that we and many of our friends all report living on less than half (closer to a third) of what we did in the States.
You can find more information about the cost of living in Costa Rica on the International Living website right here.
I hope these general ideas will give you a better idea of what it would cost you to live in Costa Rica.
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