Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Cost to fix timing belt on car (got rid of the girly noise) and repair horn (which now sounds like a girly moped beep) -$400
Our friends are here from Pennsylvania and they want to treat us to dinner. We take them to a place we normally go—in the LOW season. Rob orders the specials, waving his hands in the air like he’s conducting a symphony. “We’ll have two orders of the coconut shrimp appetizers.” He convinces our friend to forgo the reasonably priced chicken and rice dish to splurge on the fresh lobster.
Everything is great until the waiter brings over the check. Those delicious shrimp appetizers cost $20 each. And the lobster dinner…it was $40.
So when ordering the specials, make sure you ask the price first. But even with that surprise, it was a memorable evening as we watched the sun set while two people made-out in the ocean in front of us.
They didn’t spend a dime and, apparently, had just as good a time.
Just glancing over the last few posts, the cost of living seems to be not much different than living in the states.
Now that I live in a tourist area, the prices are higher than in the middle of the country, especially during high season. But the car repairs were reasonable, and car insurance and registration is pretty good at $190/year (that’s without any bells and whistles, just the mandatory insurance one needs to drive in this country). Eating out to me has always been a luxury, but we would be able to get a dinner on the beach for a total of $15. Now that the tourists are here, it seems like things are more expensive. I used to eat out twice a month, I probably still will, but will check the menu first and make sure I understand what the prices are.
But the imported products are super expensive and wildly available here. It’s amazing that I am on the farthest end of the country, but do to the tourism, can get more products than I could where I lived previously. It’s so tempting to recreate my crappy diet with all those packaged goods. However, I am still sticking to my diet of fruits, vegetables, beans, and a little bit of chicken and fish. I have some good pics of the prices of other American imported items that I will post soon.
I keep getting kicked out of the supermarkets for taking pictures, so soon you will see me on a wanted poster.
Aha! I recognize that restaurant – Hubby and I had the fish there at your recommendation! It was the. most amazing fish dinner we have had by the ocean. Next time we will order the Shrimp. It looks yummy
I’ll definitely go back, so many of their dishes are so reasonable. I love to sit on the beach, have dinner, and watch the surf roll in. I’m glad you had a good dinner there as well. It is a special place…with special prices!!
Nadine, Which restaurant is this? It sounds good. Which ones would you recommend for authentic food? I’ll be in Tamarindo next week.
It’s the restaurant that sits diagonally across from the Red Snapper in Brasilito. There are a lot of reasonably priced things on their menu that I usually order, but I doubt I will ever order a special without asking. I just read an article in the NY Times about a guy who ordered a special mushroom dish at a restaurant in New York and when he was brought the bill, the cost of the dish was $300. So after that, I didn’t feel so bad!
Wow–$300. I guess that puts your experience into perspective! I will take your advice and always ask the price first. Any good restaurant recommendations for Tamarindo?
If you want to people watch, I like to get nachos at Witches Rock. It’s fun to sit there and watch all the surfers and people on the beach. If you wanted to drive into Flamingo, Mar y Sol is really great, pricey, but a good meal if you are a foodie. A less expensive place named Willy’s is right below , but has just an incredible view as the expensive place.
There is a new little place in Tamarindo, near the circle, but not on the beach side. It is tucked back next to the pottery shop. They have great food and the prices were reasonable.
Next time try telling them you’re locals & get the locals discount (truly, it exists at some places). Hate the ‘2-Tier’ system, but if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
You are right, or I will just not order it. It was really good, cooked to perfection, but just too much for my budget….or should I say…my friend’s budget as well!
That’s pretty funny. Next time maybe slip on some snorkels and fins and have them catch their own dinner? That would be a memorable trip 🙂
I thought about that, they probably got it right out from the ocean in front of me. I often come across fisherman on the beach with a net of fish or lobster selling it for a few bucks. They made quite the profit on us!!
That was funny, and not as likely to happen here in rural Puriscal, where we don’t really have a high and low season, as far as I know.
I will not make that mistake again, but even with the surprise, we all had a great time.