'Food price tends' Prices

Malvin (63.176.159.172) -

What have the trends been in food prices over the past 3 years in Costa Rica?

Comment #1 Garfunkle (63.176.159.109) -

I can't say for sure what the exact trends have been, but it seems that the cost of food has been on the rise.

Comment #2 Louie (63.176.159.45) -

espite having one of the highest standards of living and being one of the most expensive countries in Latin America, purchasing power is greater in Costa Rica than in the United States or Canada. The country is really a bargain compared to most places.

San José's prices are the second lowest of any city's in the Americas; the cost of goods and services is among the lowest of any city's in the world. Corporate Resource Consulting firm that compares costs of goods and services rates San José among the least expensive cost-of -living cities in the world and second to Quito, Ecuador in the Americas. San Jose's cost of living, ranks close to the middle when compared to 118 cities worldwide. The cost of living in Guatemala City or Pamama City is about 14% higher than in San José.

Read more on the link below.

• www.infocostarica.com/retirement/costtolive.html

Comment #3 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) -

The U.S. Embassy doesn't allow its employees to stay overnight in a hotel in San Jose. What does that tell you?

Comment #4 Tiko (63.176.159.224) -

Living in Costa Rica gives you the freedom to spend almost as little or much as you choose; while many things are inexpensive, North American-style luxuries can add up. Despite this fact, life in Costa Rica is generally less expensive than an equivalent lifestyle in the United States, Canada or Europe, as many expatriates will happily attest.

Those expats interested in simple living should budget $1500 or less monthly. Rents in rural areas and select urban areas hover around $300-$600 for a well-furnished apartment or small home. At this price, renters can expect Costa Rican-style amenities, which may include line-drying laundry and bathrooms equipped with electric shower heads. Generally, this budget allows for bus rides and the occasional taxi, big trips to the farmer’s market and a few restaurant meals each month.

• www.costarica.com/retirement/cost-of-living/

Comment #5 Richard (63.176.159.238) -

There seems to be a wide consensus that the cost of living in Costa Rica is among the lowest in the region. There is some info on the issues. Regards.

• Cost of living in Costa Rica

Comment #6 pale_o (63.176.159.248) -

I am amazed at the claim of Costa Rica having a higher purchasing power that her neighbors. There has been a rise is food and commodity prices the world over so I doubt if that is only unique to Costa Rica.

It might not be easy telling why the U.S cautions the citizens against staying at San Jose. What is the possible reason then? A security threat perhaps?

Comment #7 moy (63.176.159.212) -

I would say that the net would be your best lead and bet. It is pretty easy to source for all kinds of information especially when you really know what you are looking for. It seems then that no such websites exist and that just confirms my fears. Have you ever been to these auctions before? You could well ask the next time you are there. Who knows, the neighbor in question may have leads

Comment #8 Olivia (63.176.159.37) -

I do not know any idea but still i would have to suggest trying to contact or have the information directly on some expats who have been there, or settling in there. You can also try reading personal blogs that tackles on this matter. There are lots in the net now. As of my idea i think that info from those who are in there are much better info.. Ciao..

Comment #9 cwemoy (63.176.159.27) -

The fact of the matter is that commodity prices(especially food and agricultural produce)seem to have a fluctuating trend. It is often easy to come across updated information regarding these fluctuations.

I tend to think there are many uncertainties and pre-disposing factors and that is why it is pretty hard sometimes to be sure which range a particular commodity price will range within.

Perhaps the idea to study this within some period of time is wise..

Comment #10 Chiqui (63.176.159.83) -

Before anything else and befor ethinking of the prices, i think we fisrt orient our selves with the kinds of foods we will be eating there.

Here are some tidbits of the matter

Simplicity is key when dealing with food in Costa Rica. Rice and beans are the primary ingredients in nearly every meal, from breakfast to dinner. If they've been fried in oil and mixed with onions, then you know it's breakfast time - this traditional plate is called gallo pinto and is one of the common and popular foods in Costa Rica. Nothing much changes for lunch and dinner - gallo pinto is now served along side fried plantains, a cut of meat and a small salad. Though you would have to be pretty liberal with what defines a salad, as this version is 90% cabbage, with a couple tomatoes thrown in if you're lucky.

More on the link below

• www.destination360.com/central-america/costa-rica/dining

Comment #11 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) -

Yeah gallo pinto.. yesterdays left over rice and beans spiced up a bit with salt and oil.

Too bad they don't use brown rice and then you'd have some kind of nutrition... instead just carbs.

Comment #12 Sean (63.176.159.246) -

In any country to go, you should expect price fluctuations, not just in Costa Rica but with other countries.

You have to check out some articles regarding this matter and you will see. There are baselines, this are always provided but still the actual price can be learned when you are in the market in actual shopping, that is when you will now the real score.

In case you have to know the price list, go for those updated sites.

Comment #13 Oswald (63.176.159.173) -

That is the problem i am now facing Sean, i have some difficulties on finding a very good site to provide me an updated list of market price. Can somebody help me out and provide some very useful link that can give atleast a hint on the 'current' prices of food in costa rica?

I am about to go there for a visit and i would like to know this info.. thanks..

Comment #14 Geoff (63.176.159.119) -

Why are people so bothered about the current prices of food in Costa Rica? Can we just read some articles, blog reviews and hear some from the expats who had been there in Costa Rica that hopefully manages to go around and shop.

But according to some articles that i had just read, costa rican prices is not that high at all, that is the reason why there are lots of expats who chose to retire in CR.

Comment #15 Eve (63.176.159.208) - 11/12/09 13:16

Food prices in Costa Rica are surely reasonable, I would imagine, because the prices in the Caribbean, compared to other places in the world is usually smaller than what a first world country may provide for their first class citizens. Still, in the Caribbean, though food is low, it is as hard as it is for anyone else in the world that is currently feeling the effects of the recession.

Comment #16 Chiqui (63.176.159.247) - 11/17/09 10:16

San Jose can be expensive and cheap depending on where you go and how you spend your money. There are nice neighborhood markets and small groceries that have very reasonable prices. It´s the same for everything, it´s just the level that one aspires to.

However the general price situation in Costa Rica is relatively low, compared to its neighbors.

Good luck to all!

Comment #17 Eve (63.176.159.22) - 12/02/09 13:21

Mainly, anywhere in the world that one is looking to go for a visit, they will find that in many a location, they would be able get things that are priced between cheap and expensive, depending upon the location in which the customer intends to purchase their item of choice.

Comment #18 Snowie (63.176.159.64) - 12/07/09 23:40

Hi to all forum buffs.

I am about to move in Costa Rica, my husband will be working there so we need to move as soon as possible. I am a budget conscious mom. I want my money used only to those items that are needed. Most especially during this times of financial difficulties.

Can anyone here please give me an overview of the current prices in Costa Rica? thanks a lot.

Comment #19 Eve (63.176.159.155) - 12/14/09 13:10

An overview of the current Costa Rican prices would be great to have as I, indeed. Where in the world wide wed would one find such information lurking?

Comment #20 adam (63.176.159.129) - 12/28/09 11:34

Why it is that prices are rising all over the place. It is getting harder for the poor man to cope.

Comment #21 Lupe (63.176.159.87) - 01/16/10 20:18

That is one of the major problems in the world nowadays adam. People most especially those who are less fortunate finds it really hard to cope in such situation where prices of their daily needs are rising and that they cannot do anything about it. It is sad to know that lots of people are greatly affected with such increase prices, good thing that there are still ways to continue living.

Comment #22 Lisa (63.176.159.3) - 02/10/10 15:50

In the last three years there have been many negative turns in the global economy and one of the hardest hit are the food prices. Basic food items prices have sky rocketed and the downturn is now upon us in 2010 things seem to be looking up.

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