RUGet a Consultation
RULATAM

Grocery Prices in Costa Rica in September 2026

RULATAM city price survey in San José: All 50 prices confirmed. basket total: 157,799.34 CRC / 346.36 USD.

Over the month, the comparable core changed by +0.26% in CRC and +1.01% in USD.

September 2026
Main output

How much did a basic city basket cost in San Jose?

San Jose's RULATAM city price survey. A basket of 50 items went up to 157,799.34 CRC / 346.36 USD.

period:September 2026Costa Rica 50 begins in June 2026
comparison:+0,26%by August 2026, in CRC; USD +1.01%
USD exchange rate:455,60CRC/USD to recalculate the release
Costa Rica 50:157 799,34CRC · 346,36 USD

What the measurement shows

For the month, the comparable core rose 0.26%; the current basket costs 157,799.34 CRC. Prices were checked from September 20 to 27 for everyday retail goods; so the cost of living in Costa Rica is tracked over time, not by anecdotal impressions.

The methodology, categories and full price table are published below.

Prices in Costa Rica in September 2026. All 50 prices are confirmed; the basket total is 157 799,34 CRCor 346,36 USD. Monthly dynamics are calculated for 45 comparable items.

Key Points in This Release

First, the main thing: a comparable basket in Costa Rica has grown by +0,26%. The calculation is made on 45 items, which can be honestly compared with last month. We do not confuse a change in the market with a change in product, packaging or source.

Separately, a glass of cappuccino at Starbucks (Venti), ground beef, 1 kg, chicken eggs, 6 pcs, Ala laundry detergent, 3 kg, Ariel laundry liquid, 3 l got a new base. Their current prices are included in the basket, but we do not present the corrected baseline as inflation.

Release Archive

All published measurements:

What's published

This is the month's current results and a limited comparative sample, and the full basket and the full price register are internal RULATAM data.

How Prices Are Collected

Collection period: From September 20 to 27, 2026, the measurement is in San Jose; it's the city's prices, not the national average.

Sources of release: Walmart Costa Rica, Maxi Palí, Auto Mercado, Masxmenos and other online and offline marketplaces, including delivery services.

First, you look for the same product, brand and packaging, then you look for a cheaper comparable offer, you take into account the minimum public price of one whole unit, you take a brand change, or a product change, or a bad package gets a new base, and you take it out of the monthly dynamics.

Compare Prices in Other Countries
Argentina199,86 USDBrazil212,83 USDPanama211,53 USDUruguay282,03 USDParaguay202,25 USDCosta Rica346,36 USD

What really changed

Growth: Round tomatoes, 1 kg +37.24%, Matarazzo horns, 500 g +20.73%, Gillette shaving foam, 179 ml +17.58%.

Decline: Apples, 1 kg −31.98%, Diapers, Pampers Baby-Dry P x36 −22.71%, Pork Cut (Bondiola), 1 kg −22.12%.

Fresh products are checked separately as a seasonal category, and the rest of the movements are published only after re-checking the product, brand, packaging and public price of one unit.

History Price Archive Open →

Survey Summary

TOTAL FOR 50 ITEMS 346 USD You need to buy 50 standard goods in Costa Rica
Working hours:88 hoursYou need to work to buy products from the index in Costa Rica
Coffee cup index:44 cupsThe equivalent of the cost of 50 index goods in Costa Rica
Country Publications about life in Costa Rica Open →
RULATAM sign How to read How to Read the Index

We've been monitoring prices in Latin America since 2016, and in 2026 Costa Rica joined the monitoring network, and it's in San Jose, and the standard basket of 50 products is the same for all countries where RULATAM operates, and it helps you quickly compare the cost of living across countries.

The index is checked by the locals, and if you want to participate in the development of a project in your city, fill out the volunteer questionnaire.

Become a Volunteer
RULATAM Get a residence permit and citizenship of Costa Rica Open →

Frequently Asked Questions

In September 2026, the RULATAM basket Costa Rica-50 is worth 157 799,34 CRCor 346,36 USD at an exchange rate of 455,60 CRC/USD It's an index of consumer items, not a full monthly budget for living in Costa Rica.

The index includes 50 comparable goods and services: foods, drinks, meats, vegetables and fruits, groceries, dairy products, household chemicals, hygiene, basic pharmacy goods, gasoline, coffee, cigarettes and Big Mac. The index excludes housing rent, utility payments, medicine, schools, taxes and flights.

For release for September 2026 prices are considered by city San José.

Want to know what these prices mean for your family?

At RULATAM, you can compare Latin American countries based on your income, family comitem, terms, documents and real expenses, not just the basic basket.

Discuss Your Case

Monthly dynamics are calculated on 45 out of 50 items. Starbucks, minced meat, eggs and two items of washing products received new correct bases and excluded from the comparison.