HappilyRetired.Com

Live in Costa Rica
The Cost of Living Is Low in Costa Rica

Compliments of International Living

As a general rule, locally grown produce is the best value, while some imported goods can be relatively expensive.

Costa Rica has several excellent supermarket chains, including Auto Mercado and Mega Super, which are now competing with branches of Wal-Mart, Target, and other American retailers.

Here are some recent prices:

* A 5.8-ounce can of tuna fish: $1.09
* 7 ounces of tortillas: 78 cents
* 3.3-pound box of Rinso detergent: $2.74
* 3.5 ounces of Dove soap: 98 cents
* A pound of shrimp: $5.08
* Two bottles of Italian sparkling wine: $7.56 (on sale).

McDonald’s and most other fast-food chains have been in Costa Rica for many years, but the country also has several of its own fast-food restaurants that offer similar food in a local style–and often at bargain prices.

RostiPollos, for instance, sells a $14.32 family meal that includes a whole roast chicken, tortillas, frijoles, chips, and pickled onions. Kentucky Fried Chicken charges $7 for meal for two: four pieces of chicken, potatoes, biscuits, and two soft drinks.

If you occasionally invite a couple over for a first-class home-cooked meal, you’ll probably spend $16 to $20 on the ingredients. It won’t take long before you learn what you can buy for that amount.

Get the full story at:International Living