www.CostaRicaTicas.com

One of the better posters mentioned in one of these duplicate threads the fallacy of food being cheaper in CR. Can't find it now.

I have a long time friend, Emilio, who owns the family run "Mini Price Store" across from Pali in Quepos. Many of you Quepoans know the place. Sells food, booze, everything (legal I mean). Great place to crack a C-note by the way at a great rate.

He told me once that not a week goes by that a tourist isn't bitching about his high prices. He said he tells them you think everything is supposed to be cheaper in CR but it's not. He's got a consumer price index he downloads and keeps behind the counter that he updates. Compares 3 US cities to SJ. Groceries average only 5-7% lower in CR.

There's a weekly farmer's market on the seawall road. Packed with immigrants.

This seems to be a trend!! First time I ate there was 18 or so years ago and I was taken there by a non pro chica!!!! By the way, it was much cheaper back then!!!!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Uneven reviews on TA on this place: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant ... _Jose.html

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I just read a little of what had been posted in the reviews. The first was a very negative post about the food being bland. Virtually every country has it's own taste buds so to speak. In the US we tend to like and use a lot more spices. In CR just the opposite occurs-most Ticos do not care for hot, spicy food. Thus in the US we have actually developed a whole new type of food we call "TEX-MEX. It certainly is NOT true Mexican food thou many will refer to is as "Mexican". Actually the Mexicans add very little hot spices to food while it is being cooked, to the point it is often bland as is. BUT, on the table will be the hot spicy condiments that they add as they are eating. In CR they tend to reduce the spiciness even more when cooking, and do not add anywhere close to the amount of hot spices to the food at the table that the Mexicans do. As a result us Gringos for the most part, would consider Antojitos food very bland. Where's the chilli powder and picante sauce!!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

The "problem" in Quepos and Jaco is the prices have really gone up - a lot - over the past 2 - 3 years.

In Jaco, for example, its really out of sight - hotels, food - maybe its how high prices have climbed in a short period of time.

Didn't a new highway from SJ open, thus making it easier for yet more daytrippers eager to get head-butted by turds? Or catch them? Doesn't demand drive price?

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Prices for food have gone out of sight everywhere in CR not just in Jaco. 5 years ago bananas were c22 each in AutoMeracado (the most expensive grocery in CR) today in Pali (the cheapest) they are c65 each. a 10oz block of Costa Rican cheddar cheese (will go bad in 2 weeks-almost no ageing) is over $11. Ground beef is $3 to $6 a pound. Chicken is $2 a pound (whole) even in the Tico markets downtown. Shrimp (in the same market area) is close to $15 a lb for medium size. Potatoes are over $1.50 a lb as are tomatoes. Even onions are over a dollar a lb. A 2 litter coke is $3. The cheapest ice cream is over $8 for a half gallon.

The cost of living in CR has doubled in the last 5 years. At my favorite soda, a casado was c2100 including a drink just 2 years ago. Now it is c2900. The American fast food (I ever eat in them) places are 25% higher here than in the states. Last I heard, gas was close to $6 a gallon and the car to put the gas in was 50 to 80 % higher than in the states. The first apartment I rented here (8 years ago) was $450 a month. Today the same apt. rents for $800.

Only thing I have seen cheaper here is TVs and computers in Walmart--Yesterday I saw a 32 in flat panel TV (Frigidaire brand) for about $275. A year ago it would have been $100 more.

Anyone planning to relocate here because it is cheaper better think twice. Yes, you can live cheaper here than in the states, but you will have to give up a lot of the things you have and do in the states for it to be less.

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Good post bang57
Hard info, instead of the usual vague speculation
Thanks

If you are out in the provinces is inflation just as rampant ? Example everything is higher in Manila than on the other islands . Everything is higher in Bangkok than other cities. Everything is higher in Atlanta than other cities in Ga. So what about San Jose. Sort of a hijack on the thread I am the first to say but agree even at the locals places prices in San Jose seem to be jacked up. It is a wonder that the regular wage worker stays afloat.