Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Cost of Living in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Tamarindo costs approximately $1,100 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,937. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Tamarindo is a city in Costa Rica, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,100 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,937 per month, or $967 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 86 Mbps median download speed, and Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Tamarindo scores 58/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 92°F and winter highs around 90°F, with roughly 290 sunny days a year.

Top for SurfTop for Yoga WellnessTop for BeachDigital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$1,100≈ $37/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,937
Internet86 Mbps
Safety58/100
Avg Temp91°F

Tamarindo Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$10.37
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$61.03
McDonald's Combo Meal$10.37
Cappuccino$4.05
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.80
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.76

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.21
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.45
Eggs (12)$3
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.30
Apples (1 lb)$2.05
Bananas (1 lb)$0.74
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.65
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.11
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.99
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$12.45
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$4.98

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.97
Monthly Transit Pass$58.03
Taxi Start$2.30
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.42
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.43
VW Golf (New)$21,929.08

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$96.33
Mobile Phone Plan$28.84
Broadband Internet$56.05

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$99.66
Cinema Ticket$7.26
Preschool (Monthly)$547.96
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$8,888.30

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$72.06
Nike Running Shoes$114.08

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,937.08
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$966.93
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,649.03
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,377.85
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$498.61
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$299.17

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$906.67
Mortgage Interest Rate9%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Tamarindo

Internet86 Mbps
Safety58/100
Healthcare48/100
Public Transit8/100
Walkability48/100
Nightlife55/100
Food Scene65/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture30/100
Air Quality85/100
Green Spaces82/100
Culture48/100
Beaches92/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing88/100
Coworking Spaces22
US Visa-Free90 days

Tamarindo FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Tamarindo?

A single person should budget around $1,100 per month in Tamarindo, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Tamarindo?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Tamarindo averages $1,937 per month, dropping to about $967 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,649.

Is Tamarindo safe?

Tamarindo scores 58/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 62/100.

How fast is the internet in Tamarindo?

Median download speeds in Tamarindo are around 86 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 22 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Costa Rica offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Tamarindo?

Tamarindo sees summer highs around 92°F and winter highs near 90°F, with about 290 sunny days and 95 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for Costa Rica

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