Cost of Living in Costa Rica 💰 🇨🇷 - Groceries
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- How much are groceries in Costa Rica? We head out to our favorite spots here in Samara, Costa Rica to share with you the cost break down on some of the main grocery items. The prices are in Colones (the national currency) so we put the prices in U.S and Canadian dollars. This will help with the question of how to move to Costa Rica. A big thank you (muchas gracias) to the business owners for allowing us to film and share this with you! We hope you enjoy the video! Chao.
Support these videos
PATREON - / thedufresnes
Interested in staying at Sea Casa?
Casa Nautical:
www.airbnb.com...
Casa Tropical:
www.airbnb.com...
www.airbnb.com...
Don't have Airbnb yet? Click our link to get a $40 USD credit when you signup
www.airbnb.com...
VRBO and Homeaway
Casa Nautical:
www.vrbo.com/1...
Casa Tropical:
www.vrbo.com/1...
Thanks for the support!
MERCH - teespring.com/...
COPYRIGHT FREE MUSIC - The best variety:
www.epidemicso...
Follow us: @TheDufresnes
Instagram - / thedufresnes
Facebook - / thedufresnes
Music:
www.epidemicsou...
GEAR
Vlog Camera: Canon G7X Mark II
DSLR: Canon 60D
Canon 50MM Lens (Best lens for the price)
Canon 10-22mm
Mic: Rode VideoMic GO
Dead cat for Rode videoMic
Drone: DJI Mavic
PolarPro ND Filters for Mavic
Go Pro Hero 5
Go Pro Hero 3
Go Pro Gimbal: Feiyu Tech FY-G4S
Laptop: Dell XPS 15
Manfroto Backpack
Jobi Gorilla Pod
Camera Slider
LED Light
Camera Flash
Costa Rica is beautiful, in 2016 my husband asked me to marry him when we were in Bahia Drake aboard his brothers sailboat (they are sailing around the world) and now, 3 years later we are married and preparing to sail around the world on our own boat!
@00- 00 still doing it :)
Very informative video I had seen other videos with similar information and I think this is the best.
Thanks, we really thought it would be best to have the money conversions pop up to give a visual understanding. Glad it's worked out
This is great information! I’m plotting my escape to CR as I watch! Can’t wait
I’m following you guys to find out as much as I can about Samara. I’m planning on coming there next spring for 3 months to wet my feet. I visited there a few years ago for 2 weeks and absolutely fell in love with Samara. I’ll send you an email to arrange a consultation. Thank you so much for your videos. Very informative about real information about Samara. Thank you.
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoy our videos. Definitely send us an email and we can send you the info in regards to setting up a consultation.
Thank you for doing this video!!! Very helpful info!
Thanks for another great video! I am considering stayin in Samara for 7 months in 2021 (as part of an exploratory mission for when I can retire 6 years later), and although I have been there many times before (and have previously lived in Costa Rica) I still get a lot from your videos.
Thanks! That's awesome you're possibly coming back for 7 months. Thanks for watching
Thanks again! And keep up the good work.
I somehow thought stuff would be really cheap there. Some of those prices are blistering. I'm from the UK and it opens my eyes as our stuff is generally super cheap. Even some of our produce prices beat CR. Some of the stuff which we need to import like avocados can be found for cheaper than in CR! I guess I need to get richer to live in CR!
Great video guys! Thanks!
Great video guys! very helpful. keep them coming.
Thanks!
Also, you guys are such an awesome family, you are real true friends, and that's great, God Bless!!
Thank you 🙏
im moving just for the beer! LETS GOOOO!!
I lived in CR between 2002 ~ 2009. In Guanacaste, Bagaces, Coco, Hermosa .. even Cartago. Now ready to retire w/Pensionado. Love the container conversion rentals you've done.
Website is up to date. You may have visited the day the ssl had expired
@@TheDufresnes yes i typed in the wrong site. you're good. removed comment. If i may ask, how much property do you own (hectars) and is your casa on the same rental property?
Ahhh ok, yes we live on the same property it's a third of an acre
I really enjoy all of your videos. You two do a great job. Thanks for being so detailed. I will definitely come stay in one of your rentals when I come to check out Samara. Keep up the good work.
Awesome, thanks glad you like the videos and we would love to be you're hosts here at Sea Casa
👍 Great job and very informative. Thanks for doing all that math! Unfortunately I am now craving an ice cold Bamboo 😂
Haha yes easy to want one when it's hot! And so much math good thing for
Xe app
Thanks for this video. It is so useful to get an idea of what the cost of living really is! Thanks guys :)
Glad it was helpful!
Look just an advice, if you shop on those small stores close to the beach is going to cost you more , same as any beach town in gringo land or Canada, go do your groceries where most ticos by theirs , there in plenty of grocery stores , one of the cheapest is call Pali. And usually if you are in any big town you will have plenty to choose from cheap Pali, maxi , Wal-Mart, price mark , and many more.
Actually the places we went to in this video are similar price to the shops you mentioned. We try to avoid Pali and Walmart because we like to support the small Costa Rican owned shops not the big corporations
@@TheDufresnes I know you are helping the local busses my friend , I just had to put it out there for those that might think that there is no grocery stores on Costa Rica.
Thanks, we've also done videos of Pricesmart and pequeño Mundo 😊
One thing most expats in CR dont know, Dos Pinos company has created government backed import taxes that allow them to sell dairy products at much higher prices than you would normally pay. Bluebell ice cream sells at 1/2 the cost of Dos pinos ice cream at pricesmart. They sell it at this lower price until some government quota is reached. This doesnt last long however. Blue bell is a much higher quality product and tastes much better than Dos Pinos. So basically Dos pinos has eliminated all other foreign brands from the costa rican market.
Wow, we were always wondering why their ice cream was so expensive. Good to know!
TIP FROM FOLKS WHO LIVED 5 YEARS IN C.R. : buy all your vegetables & fruit from the local "farmers' market" - NOT the supermarket ! As for protein: get used to eating CHICKEN, instead of beef. CR beef is generally TOUGH, and needs a lot of marinating. It is also expensive. Also - avoid buying bottled water and soda. If you eat out, ask for "naturales" or "batidos" - shakes made with natural fruit, instead of Coke or other soda. GET USED to CR cuisine - "comida tipica" - learn how to prepare CR dishes like "picadillo", "casado", and "arroz con pollo" !
The veggie market we filmed in is from local farmers, even Pali gets their local fruits from local farmers. Yes Costa Rican chicken is good but if you ask you can usually get Nicaraguan beef, this is what we eat. Also eat more fish. We drink the water from the tap, it's full of vitamins and minerals, when Costa Ricans travel to other countries they are scared to drink the water.
@@TheDufresnes Even Verdulerías are more expensive. I prefer the "Ferias del agricultor", which I think is what Mary was reffering to, although not sure if they have them in Samara.
@@TheDufresnes Do they chlorinate or fluoridate the tap water?
Haha no!
Very informative video. Those dried veggies are expensive in Ontario as well. I dont know from where they come from. Enjoy my country as much as I enjoy yours. Oh one last thing. Touristic places are more expensive than regular ones in Costa Rica. Stay safe during this pandemia.
Thanks for watching. Yes tourist places can be more expensive but if you know where to shop then it can be better pricing, especially when you go to the same place all the time and they give you the local discount.
Excellent comparisons. Thanks for sharing, my new (and fellow Canadian) friends :-)
Thanks! Sorry but do we know you?
Thank you guys merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Thank you for the info. Very helpful
Wow! Groceries are a lot more money than what I pay at Walmart in the states. A lot.I'm surprised.
Exellent video👍🏼
Thanks 👍 not a very cheap store is it? I just went shopping here in Hamilton Ontario. Paid 2 bucks for Ritz crackers, $6.99 for 900 and something gram can of Folgers coffee. 3.77 l.b for boneless chicken breast, 4.27 for 2 litre container of 1% Natral filtered milk, 1.99 for a package of Oreos, 1.50 for a 2 litre bottle of Dr. Pepper pop, 56 cents a pound for bananas, 1,64 for a loaf of bread, 2.64 for a box of Captain Crunch cereal, a 6 pack of tall boy Molsons Canadian beer for 14,86, all prices in Canadian dollars, most above items were sale priced except the beer, milk, bananas and bread. Hamilton Ontario is fortunate to have a multitude of grocery stores providing price competition amounts the regular grocery stores and your discount type such as No Frills, Freshco and Food Basics as well as imdependant markets. Cheers! 👍🍻
Thanks for watching! That's right, Costa Rica is definitely not cheap. A lot of pricing is comparable to Canadian pricing but unlike Canada they do not do the special sales, it pretty much stays the same all the time. Alcohol will go on sale sometimes. It's nice to have the option to go to Pricesmart now to stock up, as they will run different sales.
One thing about constant pricing, you’re going to know what to expect from one shopping trip to the next. Prices here are generally on the increase. Went to a farmers market this morning and prices are definitely up from last summer.
Yes the pandemic can be thanked for that!
Its amazing to see today in Costa Rica with 1000c you cant buy literal nothing then 15 years ago. There really isn't a remarkable difference with the prices here are United states. In regards to fruits and vegetables in Costa Rica the quality is absolutely superior to what comes here in the states. Greetings and a big hug guys!
Yes 15 years ago in North America you could buy a lot more with 2 dollars too. Yes produce, most meats and eggs are sooo much better here in Costa Rica. Thanks for watching!
For the betters prices,you have to go to San Jose..!!!
Really useful video
I would have liked to ask, in your opinion, how much per person is sufficient per month for the cost of living without smoking or drinking any alcohol with one bed housing in a small apartment in San Jose
Good video.
I have been watching another couple out of another country but since they are from the US the translation in prices are not said in CDN not a big deal but they do not eat meat so it makes it a little harder to guesstemate expenses if we were to move abroad for 3, 6, 9 etc months of a year.
Yes our prices are real and for normal people to understand! Thanks for watching 😊
Canada Bread is now Bimbo bread in Langley. Bimbo man is taking over the world! Also, enjoyed the outtakes 😂
omg! there really is a bimbo company? i was buying bread in Wallys (across the street from my apt) and met the bimbo man. my apt complex (AND Walmart) is wrot w gang stalkers who harass you by making fun of what you say (street theater). i call the gang stalkers scumbags & bimbos so i thought the bimbo man was just another gang stalker!
sorry bimbo man!😁
Love u putting Canadian prices
Thanks, because we're from Canada and most of our viewers are from Canada and the USA we felt it should have both
Thank you, very interesting indeed
You're welcome
Another really helpful video! Can you ever do one on hospitals/clinics? For eg., what if someone were living in Samara or Playa Guiones and had, say, a heart attack? The hospitals look like they're a huge distance away on winding roads, and the clinics can't handle major heart attacks, can they? (not that I'm planning on having one). I suppose they can all do (hate to mention this), viper bites?!
I'll just answer that here for you. In town we have Dr Freddie, he's is a great doctor and has a defibrillator. If it's something major and if you have health insurance or the money he can call a helicopter to transport to San Jose. He also has an ambulance and nicoya is only 40 mins away. Here in samara we are going to be getting a new government medical clinic. Not sure about snake bites, haven't asked Freddie yet about that one. I'm sure he does tho.
@@TheDufresnes Yes, Costa Rica seems perfect except for those fer-de-lance snakes (and bushmasters!). Other than THOSE....who like to live near the houses, I hear (or else someone is just trying to scare me, and it's working) all is well. I'm spoiled here with no poisonous snakes. On the other hand, we don't have HEAT either. So Costa Rica looks pretty good to me!!
Foods is cheaper in Florida...did not expect that😧
The states is always cheaper, Toni's being from Canada its comparable
Definitely Pali has the best prices!!!
For certain things Pali does but we've found other places certain things are cheaper or the same as Pali
Hey, love the show. We Canadians need to know. What’s the updated cost of groceries. Could you please do an update?
We are planning to when we have time, let's just say it's not much different then before
you get a thumbs up just for the oreo dunking cut scene. lol
Haha thanks!
This video was great i was taking notes but might have missed something. My secret junk food is Prego spaghetti sauce. I can buy it in Thailand for about $5 USD a jar. Ever see it there? ( Also hahah as you handled all of the vegetables...obviously pre-covid times 555555 hahahah jajjajajajaj! )
Yes they have prego here as well, many different flavors it's close to $5 a jar
hahaha that oreo dunk was on the spot
😂
Wow the Ice cream is very pricey
Yes it is!
I remember how good it was.
Tito Blanco Farm Foods Kelly’s Cornish Ice Cream 🍨 99p a half litre tub at Farm Foods . Aldi a large tub Greek Yogurt 59 p , Celery 45p Aldi . Honeydew Melon 🍈 69 p a whole Melon at Aldi 🇬🇧
What's crazy is a bag of Cheetos like that in the states is around 5 USD right now. Dorritos also, atleast in California they are lol. I wish I saw that butcher before I bought my meat at maxi Pali lol. Next time I guess.
Haha it's in our book! Yes next time you'll have too although pali's meat has gotten better.
Great video, very helpful. I read that there is a farmers market in Samara (Samara Organics) every Tuesday morning and Friday afternoons. Are the prices similar at the market to the fruit and veggies store in the video?
Samara organics is not a farmers market you can order organic fruits and veggies at a premium price.
Ok, thanks for the clarification. Are there any nearby farmers markets in Samara?
@@calleyboucaud1696 no, that's why we shop at Dona Lechuga. They get all of their products from farmers. Even Pali gets there produce from farmers in country. There are also trucks that drive around with loud speakers selling fruits and veggies
Dos Pinos is the best lácteos products in Costa Rica..,for more than 50 years...!!!
Thanks for showing the pet food section, it is often missed. Couldn't make out the brands but are there good quality dog foods available or should we start getting our pets ready for a raw diet now?
We use nutrisource dog food and now Pricemart has their own brand which is good
Canadians coming to visit Samara and having some difficulty finding a rental vehicle. Do you have a company you would recommend?
Love your videos! Very helpful!
- thanks!
Vamos near Liberia airport we've heard is good. Hopefully next time you visit you can stay with us at Sea Casa
We would have loved too but it was all booked up!!!
Thanks so much!
@@katies2013 when are you coming? We have 2 rentals
Hello! Thank you for sharing so much. I have a question re: organic produce and flours. I know that buying from the local farmers already shields you from the general pesticides and they should be 100% natural /organic and just miss the certification for monetary reasons.. But what about flours, milk, other general products - it is hard to find organic?
Our friends own blue mountain farms, they deliver once a week, everything is picked and delivered within 24 hours. They also sell organic flour here is their website. bluemountainfarmscr.com/
very helpful
Thanks! We are actually filming an updated cost of groceries in CR 2023 video this week! Will go out next week so definitely watch for that 💯
@@TheDufresnes oh perfect
Random question, but do you know if you can use your Costco card at Pricesmart since they’re the same company?
I've heard you can but not 100 percent sure
do they have Medjool dates, tahini, and garbanzo beans at the grocery stores?
Tahini and garbanzos yes, not sure about the dates tho
What type of transportation choices between your place to San jose ...Is there public transportation prefer...
Thanks for watching, for public transportation there is a bus service. There is also private shuttles available that we can set up! Pura Vida
More expensive than some cities in Europe. Wow it's expensive 😅
Don't come if you can't afford it. Also don't go to Canada either, it's even more expensive
Can you do a new one with 2023 prices please?
It's on our list of videos to make
Every item is kind of pricey. Aldi's or Wallmart seems slightly cheaper. That is not a cost saver for me. Housing and other stuff yes.
Neat!
Do they sell Peppers in Costa Rica
The peanut butter is actually more expensive than Bermuda....which is known as the most expensive place in the world
Coffees cheap though
Yes and peanut butter is cheaper at pricesmart
🙌
Me gustan sus vídeos pero hagan también en español por fa😉 para los que No hablamos inglés
lo siento, pero no hablamos suficiente español para poder hacer nuestros videos en ambos idiomas. Gracias por ver.
Weird question, but does Amazon deliver there? Expensive?
Yes it can and yes it's expensive
Alot of things you can buy here in either Liberia or San Jose. The malls in San Jose are like North America
You are buying at very expensive places... Try maxi Pali, Pali, super compro, mega super or Walmart. For vegetables and fruit try la feria del agricultor you could cut your expenses by a lot.
No they are very comparable prices, we've lived here for over 2 years and have shopped at a lot of places plus we prefer to support local family run businesses.
@@TheDufresnes that's true
You are saying that the prices are reasonable and doing so with a straight face. Thanx for that. Try traveling to Panama and doing some shopping in their grocery stores. So much cheaper. For even cheaper food prices travel to Columbia. Costa Rica is a beautiful country but it is now way over priced. I will never bother returning for this reason. Costa Rican's travel to Panama to go shopping for clothing and other goods because the prices in Costa Rica are just ridiculous. Now, Panama has its own problems also. But, food prices are not one of them.
Yes prices here are the highest in central America, but we believe you get what you pay for. It's also the most stable country in Central America. There are alot of things that are cheaper like some appliances, some things are the same price as the USA. The prices for us Canadians as far as food goes are the same we paid but we save money in other areas. Thailand is cheaper but it wouldn't be for everyone. It's easy to live and retire here, medical is cheaper and the people are amazing. I wouldn't judge everything on food prices!
@@TheDufresnes I live on a fixed income. Cost of living is one of the reasons I live in Central America. If cost of living is not a problem then Costa Rica might be a good option. However, Panama is right next door. Government is stable in Panama. They use the US dollar. There are some very nice area's in Panama to live also. And, its far cheaper. Use the money you save to do more stuff. Stretch your income.
Why pay 2 dollars for a beer when you can pay 80 cents by travelling a little farther South. There are very few reasons to move to Costa Rica when you do just a little homework.
Ya maybe, can you own your land and business outright or do you need to have a panamanian as part owner?
Oh and a beer is $1.40
@@TheDufresnes Panama allows foreigners to own business and property.
How do locals manage to pay the American/Canadian level prices in Costa Rica? Do they make as much money as americans??
Honestly we are not sure, we think anything like that stuff is a treat or they use credit. Minimum wage is about $2.60 an hour. Locals eat mostly rice and beans and meat, families own farms and everyone helps each other out.
Im a local, and i'm not buying any of that imported stuff or any snacks all the time, for breakfast, we eat bread (a baguette is $0,6 and is enough for 4 people)along with some light protein, like sour cream, butter or paté and of course, coffee, for around $0,2 breakfast per mouth.
For lunch and dinner, we eat rice&beans, plus some protein (eggs, stake, chicken, sausage, mortadella, chorizo, salchichón, fish, tuna, sardines), a salad, and some accompainment, like plantane, vegetables, etc, and that comes around for $0.4 per mouth, for a total of around $120 a month in food for a family of 4.
You normally dont rent a house, you build your own in your parents lot or build a second floor, so you have to pay credit for like 15 years, at $150 a month, so $270 dollars a month in housing and food, and of course, this is assuming you earn the minimum wage of $530 and only 1 person is working, normally, everyone works, and everyone earns more than minimum wage.
@ thank you for sharing the breakdown!
@Đivector Kyané Thank you so much for this information! That would be great to have a chance to talk to you in person )), I will stay in Costa Rica till this Saturday )
The minimum wage is 580 but the average salary is higher, of course out of cities is lower, all depends where you live and your job here some examples
Minimum 580
Office worker or call center around 1000
Teacher 2000
Engineers over 3000
CR isn't a place to work for north Americans but for ticos is ok if you're single, for families is better if both parents work
Speaking of beers, I don't like CORONA.🤤😷I prefer BUDWISER 😅
Ewwww Budweiser is the worst Imo haha
Omar Rodriguez Aldi Baileys Irish Cream £5:99 a bottle
do they add tax on at the till
Good question, all taxes are built into the price you see on the shelf
@@TheDufresnes my wife and i are from lake country BC
Awesome close to our old home!
i dont understand the mental Oreo milk dip lol
It's a joke
Guys we couldn't hear anything from the butcher place
Yes we know
Does anyone sell Pepsi?
wine cheaper in Canada
Not necessarily, depends on the province.
Trapache. lol.
You guys are clearly alcoholics lmfao , or your advertisers for alcohol.
Haha no we aren't but we know most people when they go on vacation drink a lot so we made sure to include info on booze.
We'd like the healthy version of grocery cost, not the North American diet for junk processed food.
Keep watching then, we visit the vegetable store and butcher, we did a price breakdown as the isles went. And people had requested a price comparison on stuff they buy in North American. We did it all
@@TheDufresnes thanks for letting me know!
You're welcome, veggies, fruits and meat are much better here then anywhere
Does anyone sell Pepsi?
Great question, yes there is Pepsi products.
Thanks! Love your info. Visiting Samara, Ojochal and Dominical in Jan! I need my Pepsi (in cans)
@@sharifess9567 You're welcome! That's awesome, we do have our rentals and some dates available still in Jan if you could stay with us we would love to be your hosts.
You’re booked:(. I checked. Hoping to move there soon. Leaning on Samara because paved roads and smaller bugs, thanks to your video! Staying at the Sunset Chill on the beach while there...should be fun!
@@sharifess9567 oh darn, ya our January has filled up pretty quick and we have a few dates left in either one. Not sure where sunset chill is. Yes our bugs here are smaller for sure, pavement and a town center is a plus