Comparing the Cost of Living : Mexico & Costa Rica

[@qroo]

Pablo's business: International Relocation Partnership www.internationalrelocationpartner.com/

[@sandrabedard7848]

We chose Costa Rica 4 years ago for retirement. We became residents. We buy are all foods at our local farmers Market. Foods are cheaper. We support the local people and businesses. we live simple here and left behind our American lifestyle and STUFF. We have Caja medical and a private supplement insurance. We use both. Our quality of life here outweighs anything else. Its still way more affordable here than it was in USA. Some things are very expensive and some things are cheaper. We immersed ourselves into the people, culture and history and don't live in Gated expat communities or tourist beach towns. We live in the mountains of Heredia. I just had a root canal done in our private dentist and the total was 275.00 usa. Way cheaper than USA. We get cleanings included in our Caja. Our private dentist cleanings are 25,000 colons which is 49.00 USA. Our private hospitals have wonderful doctors and specialists. We love all our local friends and neighbors we are the only Gringos around our area and we love it !!! Mexico was on our list also but CR checked off all our list and we have no regrets. We are here for life 🙌. Pura Vida.

[@BuceriasRodHardy]

I went to Costa Rica and spent 30 days traveling all over the country looking to retire there and ended up deciding it was way too expensive, so I ended up retiring in Mexico 5 years ago. It's been my best decision.

[@lesleymorgan01]

Very good to see Pablo again. I learn so much from your conversations. Thank you!

[@Mexicobeanpole]

Lived in both countries. LOVED them both. But, Mexico won us in the end because we like the many choices in Mexico of styles of living. Plus, Mexico was cheaper (for our needs). Must say though Mexicans and Costa Ricans (Ticos) are phenomenal people.

[@ST52655]

We lived in Costa Rica for 8 years and never felt 💯 welcome. When we retired, we chose Mexico because of how we’re treated. We feel welcomed and accepted here.

[@heidiherrera9169]

As a Costa Rican native that has been living abroad since 2008, Costa Rica is unquestionably more expensive than Mexico. However, it all depends of what's important to you and what you are looking out of life. I've been living in Queretaro, Mexico for the past 2.5 years, and I go to visit my family 3-4 times a year. I do see the difference in prices compare to what I get where I am currently living. With all that being said, Costa Rica can be magical with all its nature and wild life! I am blessed to have been born in there and I might go back in retirement to live someday. For now, I call Queretaro, Mexico home :-)

[@mariwilson803]

That’s where I’m moving, too! 😃

[@horacio7920]

You can't even compare, honestly Mexico is way better over all, the quality of services, infrastructure, medical and life styles. I went to med school in Costa Rica. Never felt welcomed.

[@2GringosOnTheGulf]

We're actually looking into south east Asia for retirement now. Great vid men. 🎉❤ Cheers from La Crucecita Huatulco Oaxaca Mexico. 🇲🇽❤️ PS: Avoid all these big box stores unless its Mexican owned, support local. 🎉😊

[@misterniceguy67]

You don't need to buy anything from supermarkets in Costa Rica. Everything is imported and highly taxed. I never set foot in those supermarkets. Buy locally grown food at the farmer's market. However, Rent has also been rising and the low exchange rate USD and CAD makes things that much more expensive. Also the costa rica government uses tourists as cash cows. I was charged the eq. USD 20 to see a volcano, when my tico friend paid only USD $2 (or mil colones). That is 10x more.

[@alrent2992]

Moral of story. Stay away from tourist traps.

[@jodymooney255]

Thanks Paul for this valuable video!

[@DcArmy9015]

Also CR fuel regular is what in USA and Canada woukd be premium grade 90 octane. And its 1.75 a liter (3.78l per gallon).

[@spencervidal3168]

I spent 15 years in Costa Rica. And the last 3 months in Mexico. Mexico is much lower cost of living. Nicaragua is the least expensive. Guatemala is similar to Mexico..

[@Boots11]

Merida MX hands down, the heat is a drag but when all is factored in Merida checks all the boxes

[@JamesBlazen]

The heat ruins Merida.

[@marioalcebo8653]

Gracias señor Qroo por toda la información

[@ParisianThinker]

Merci. Very interesting. I was thinking about moving to either country.

[@paigepaynter4119]

Thanks. I contacted Green Health. Happy Holidays to you and Linda❤

[@KatKatz11]

So when you have to export your car back to the US after you become a permanent resident of Mexico, what does that mean....does the car have to stay in the US forever? (And you just l sell it there) Or do you just have to take it back to fill out some paperwork and then you can bring it back to Mexico?

[@DJ-ld6um]

Good information. Thanks, guys!

[@MyMusic-mt9gj]

Since you are doing a video on medical. What do you need to do if you are in your 70s and can't get insurance. Just Medicare in the US?

[@Steve8105]

Paul. How is life back in the USA?

[@HermanoSol]

Without doubt México 🇲🇽 is way better.

[@triplel1580]

I visited Costa Rica around right before Covid and we thought It was expensive and I live in Boston which is not cheap. I think the only thing that was not expensive were the Hotels.

[@Kwesi61]

If you use the means deviation the difference is much more than 45%

[@Goodvibes1-10]

Hi I want to go to Cancun for 1 Year (digital Working), is it worth it when you can't speak Spanish (willing to learn in this one year) and have 20.000 Peso in Month to spend?

[@daviddiaz9553]

Pablo takes too long to get to the point. No to Walmart. Too expensive because things are imported there. You didn’t do good homework - go to local markets! You went to touristy towns.

[@RFXZ67966]

$130k for a flat in La Condesa or La Roma sounds too good to be true. Where did you find that?

[@JamesBlazen]

That won't even buy a 50 m2 cockroach infested dump. Maybe a decade ago but certainly not now.

[@Dave-eu3ib]

But u never talk about medical.

[@JamesBlazen]

Medical depends on a many things. Location, your age, pre-existing conditions, type and amount of coverage.

[@misterniceguy67]

I don't know about MX, but I have experienced the CR side of the medical care. I got sick in CR last year and here are some of the costs that I incurred: 1) Doctor visit was about USD $60. That included all the follow ups. 2) CT scan was about $800 - no waiting you can do it same week. 3) Clinic cost (blood, urine...) work was about $300 4) Colonscopy $400 - again no waiting same week appointment My doctor arranged everything and set up all the appointments. The lab even come to my house to take the samples. It was the easiest process, and was worth every penny, Medications are also relatively cheap in Costa Rica and you hardly every need any prescriptions.

[@HAPPYPLANTGAL]

How much for a house and piece of land in Mexico out in the country?

[@JamesBlazen]

It depends on how much land, where it's located and the house . Could be $50k to $2 million or more.

[@Mexicobeanpole]

Too broad a question.

[@alfredbattenberg2626]

Costa Rica is insanely expensive and honestly I found San Jose rather common and ordinary.Costa Rica is overrated in most things. Beaches are just average lacking good infraestrucute. Not as modern most middle sized cities not to mention Mexico City.. I paid so much for most things that werent that good. I didnt like the vibe country had.

[@misterniceguy67]

I agree. I left CR early 2024. I didn't feel that I was getting my money's worth.

[@nynatv1951]

Would be nice if you can explain what you mean when you say dollars, or pesos, or colons...!

[@qroo]

He converted all prices to US dollars for the video.