Let's start with the most important things:
Bebidas
Mike said he can buy Imperial( Costa Rican made beer) cheaper in the states than here. A 6 pack here costs $7.75, which boils down to $1.25/beer from the grocery store or $2 at the bar.
Yes, we've stooped to buying wine in the box. Since my tolerance for alcohol has decreased, a liter of wine lasts us about a week or so. This box costs $5 and we usually purchase it in San Jose because we aren't supposed to be seen buying alcohol in our site, esp. not me. Culturally, women are looked down upon for drinking; but the men can party to their heart's content! We've only been to the bar twice since we've been here, both were to watch the Superbowl game, and this year, we actually had a reason to celebrate!
TRAVEL
Travel is another high priority in our budget. Buses are our main mode of transportation out of town, and it's really very cheap to get around.
It's definitely a bonus for travelers visiting CR, especially if they want to travel Peace Corps style, por bus o de pie (by bus or on foot)! It costs us $4 to get to San Jose, a 2 hr. bus ride away, which is where we usually have to go to get to other parts of CR. For example, from San Jose to the Caribbean coast, it costs another $8.
The entrance fee at Cahuita National Park, which is one of our favorite destinations, is donation only, but the other, more popular parks cost $16/pp.
It would cost us $1.50 to take a taxi up the hill to our house from the center of town, but we've only taken that once, the day we arrived w/ our luggage. Generally taxis are pretty inexpensive, once you get to know the taxistas and they don't charge you "gringo" rates.
 |
| C,F, Mike and Karen, on the Caribe Coast, in Manzanilla |
We saw this baby nightingale in a nest right alongside the trail in the park.
 |
| No charge to see this fabulous sloth, hanging from a bush right outside our cabin in Cahuita. |
A very basic hostel room in San Jose, with a private bathroom, costs $30/nt. That's usually the price we like to look for when going away for a few days. But a cabin with a kitchen will run you $50-60/nt.
As you can see, we travel pretty cheap and have managed, so far, to stay within our PC budget overall. In addition, PC also pays its volunteers $25/month in vacation pay. While we do take advantage of our time allowed Out of Community, needless to say, you won't be seeing us at the Hilton Resort!
RENT
Our little apartment costs us $138/month, which includes all utilities, ie. an
 |
| They call these hot water units "widow makers", but I've never heard of anyone having any problems with them. I got over the scary wiring, but obviously, this would never pass code in the states. |
 |
| This is our kitchen/living room/dining room (before we made it all homey-like. |
 We have a washing machine available to us, |
| With this washing machine, you have to take the clothes out of the washer side and put them into the spinner side. |
and of course, a dryer!
I saw a billboard in San Jose the other day, for new houses, with this price tag:
 We asked our first host family how much it costs to build a house in Costa Rica. Just outside of San Jose, Marvin and Giselle built their house for $40,000 on a small lot: cinderblock home w/ 3 small bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and one bathroom.  COMMUNICATION |
Unlimited internet (with sketchy power at times), + 60 minutes of telephone use, costs me $20/mo. Francis has a pay-as-you-go phone plan which costs him about $5/month for a little over an hour of phone time.
It costs $1.20 to mail a letter to the states and the cost of mailing packages either direction is outrageous. For that reason we have learned how to make a bar of chocolate and package of nuts that have made their way to us, last a really long time!
It costs $1.20 to mail a letter to the states and the cost of mailing packages either direction is outrageous. For that reason we have learned how to make a bar of chocolate and package of nuts that have made their way to us, last a really long time!
ROPA (clothes)
Vilma said brand name shoes here cost a fortune, so during a big Macy's sale in the states, Vilma ordered 3 pairs of Keds for her daughters, and with shipping it cost her $120. Doesn't sound like a bargain to me, but EVERYbody likes their favorite brands!
I've never bought new clothes here (luckily have friends and family transporting our goods from REI or Prana) But I have bought used clothes, as Ropa Americana stores are very popular here. You can buy a used pair of pants, shirt or a sweatshirt for $2.
COMIDA
 |
| A loaf of italian bread which Francis likes to use for tostada en la mañana, costs $1.75 |
When eating out, a breakfast or lunch would cost $4-5, (more in a touristy spot like Cahuita), and "comida typica" , as seen here, costs $5-6 at a SODA(small restaurant).
 |
| We buy our apples at the Farmers Market from Carlos, His farm is 45 minutes from S.Marcos in Copey. The apples are ~1.20/lb; and they are delicious! |
 |
| This bag of blackberries cost $1.85, they are great on pancakes or French toast! |
Pablo sells vegetables at these prices, marked in colones. Today $1 = 534 colones.
So a large pineapple would cost ~$1.40.
Cabbage and zuchini are 40 cents/lb.
Chicken breast is $4/lb and fresh trout (from a stocked pond) is $2.50/lb. We consider trout our salmon because: (a) you can't buy salmon in San Marcos and (b) if you could it would probably be out of our price range.
What's a meal of beans and rice without Salsa Lizano: it's a MUST HAVE salsa, that can only be bought in Costa Rica.
Lately we've been eating some kind of meat or fish everyday since Francis has turned into Mr. Skinny and we are trying to fatten him up a little so you all can recognize him when we return. We enjoy eating the food that Vilma prepares as well. We take turns cooking dinner and share a meal together every evening.
SUNDRIES:
 |
| Cost: $5.00 |
Lately we've been eating some kind of meat or fish everyday since Francis has turned into Mr. Skinny and we are trying to fatten him up a little so you all can recognize him when we return. We enjoy eating the food that Vilma prepares as well. We take turns cooking dinner and share a meal together every evening.
SUNDRIES:
Haircut: $5.50, including wash and style . I have gotten my hair cut professionally 1x since we've been here. At our host family's home during Pre-Service Training, Giselle cut my hair twice. Since then, I have been cutting my own hair with a little help from Francis.
Francis gets his hair cut every 3-4 wks. by the same person who has been doing it for FREE for the last 40 years. It takes less and less time every cut!
I'm getting a pair of bifocals replaced, and if PC doesn't cover it, it will cost me $50.
Peace Corps buys all meds, including vitamins, glucosamine and fish oil capsules. I think we're the only PCVs in Costa Rica with the need for these joint lubricants! PC also covers sunscreen, insect repellent as well as dental floss.
Basically, we get paid the equivalent of "minimal wage" here, which boils down to $15.50/day. Most people in CR work in either the tourist industry or on a farm, both are minimum wage type jobs. For that reason, it is very difficult for a typical Costa Rican family to get ahead, for ex., to buy a car or take a trip.
We are very lucky to have absolutely everything we need available to us. Compared to Francis' first stint in the PC, in Nepal, we are super healthy. Maybe Costa Rica was chosen for us due to it's health status for us "older volunteers". It's wonderful to have these fresh fruits and vegetables grown nearby (most for a 'buck') and the availability of easy access to recreation.
Due to a recent Cost of Living Survey that all volunteers in country had to fill out, listing what we pay for everything from toilet paper to tortillas; PC Washington decided to give us a little raise. With that increase, Francis and I can afford a little upgrade. Let's see, what shall it be? Bottled wine or a microbrew?
Saludos a todos y mucho amor,
Chris
