As you can see from the charts above, overall, groceries and household items are slightly cheaper in Costa Rica. It is worth noting however that depending where you live in the country, these prices may vary greatly. For example, the average person living in the Central Valley areas around San Jose will most certainly have to pay more of a surcharge on their shopping bills simply because of the demographic in which they live. This is of course comparing the prices to the Southern Zone of Costa Rica around Dominical and San Isidro.

Certain items that foreigners have come use to having can be expensive in Costa Rica. Many of the items available in Canada and the US are also available here, however the prices are much higher if they are imported. This includes items like Kraft products, Ocean Spray juices, Angus meat, peanut butter, cheese products etc. As safe bet is to think, if it's imported then it's going to be much higher priced than what you were use to at home. However if you eat locally grown and produced product, you can live a relatively cheap existance in Costa Rica. The amazing part of this is that 9x out of 10 the food products manufactured here in Costa Rica taste better than the more expensive imports.

Remembering that everyone's idea of expensive and/or inexpensive, differs greatly. Therefore what one person might find expensive, another finds quite reasonable. For example. The average electricity bill here is Costa Rica is universally accepted as "expensive". However when you compare it to back home in say the US or Canada, it's not so expensive. An average electricity bill for someone using their washer/dryer, television, computer, electric stove, and the rest of their lighting and appliances, could be around $100/mth when exchange to USD. The electricity bill will most likely be your most expensive monthly expense. Cell phone lines have a base fee starting at less than $12/mth that also includes 1hr talk time. It's worth noting also that when you call on your phone, whether cell phone or land line, YOU get billed instead of the other party you are calling. Not like Canada where you pay a flat fee for your calls excluding long distance rates.