COSTA RICA NEWS – Food is more expensive in Costa Rica than in other Latin America countries. This is the conclusion of a study by the Programa Estado de la Nación (State of the Nation Program), presented on Wednesday.
The study shows that food prices in Costa Rica are on 22% higher of the (regional) average and in some cases, like pasta, up to 44%.
Items like pharmaceuticals, fuel and some services are higher in Costa Rica. Pharmaceuticals for instance on average are 17% higher, while fuel is 9%.
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My Pricesmart Index To High Prices in Costa Rica
[/su_pullquote]The study found services like private health care can cost up to 53% more in Costa Rica, private hospital services 46% and private education 31%.
Even getting a haircut is 28% more expensive in Costa Rica.
In contrast, Costa Rica has low cost telephone services. The difference is a much as 64% below the Latin American average. Electricity costs are 36% below the average, sugar 10% and water 9%.
The information of prices in Costa Rica was developed in conjunction with the Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado (Uccaep) – Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector.
When it come to food shopping, in Costa Rica there are various options: mega stores (Walmart): warehouse retailers (Pricesmart and Belca); major (chain) supermarkects (Masxmenos and Pali – owned and operated by Walmart, Automercado, Megasuper, Perimercados and Jumbo), independents local supermarkets such as Saretto in Escazú; the rising trend to convenience stores such as Am/Pm, Freshway and Vindi (Automercado). The pulperia is an option in many barrios (neighbourhoods).
Please use the comments below to add your favourite (or not shop there) stores.
There is no reason but excess profit for food and fuel to be mosre contrly her than the rest of the Americas. I often argue, other than rent, we could live better in Florida than Costa Rica for less money.
No truer words can be said. It is actually cheaper to live in the US, except for rent. Gas is cheaper, and we buy gas from Venezuela, where it is dirt cheap. The standard of living is better, obviously, in the states. I buy 5 or 6 items in Pali, 10m colones….that’s 20 bucks. 20 bucks buys a hell of a lot more in the states. Don’t tell me, if you don’t like it here, move back. How about the Ticos, they can’t move back, they are getting jambed here and can do nothing about it. Jambed is a nice word for f-cked. CR is getting out of control. Your president needs to roll back taxes that Chinchilla put on everything. That was her answer to problems. Put a tax on it. No matter what it was, put a tax on it. And do away with this snake called the Aduana, you think Chorizo is made in Cinta Azul, think again. The Aduana is nothing but Chorizo. 40% of the cost of things here goes to the Aduana. What the hell do you need this clown for?