• Luxury ocean front villas
  • Seaview infinity pools
  • Up to 15 guests
  • Low Maintenance
  • 24/7 security
  • 5 star guest rating
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Cost of living in Nicaragua / Cost of living in San Juan del Sur

For a variety of reasons, people relocate to Nicaragua. Nicaragua boasts endless beaches, rivers, waterfalls, volcanoes, and a large variety of birds and flora for those who prefer to live in nature. They’re tired of being stuck in traffic, racing around trying to keep up with the Joneses, and struggling to pay their bills every month. As a matter of fact, Nicaragua’s economic life is probably the most compelling justification for migrating here.

Although Nicaragua has a cheaper cost of living than the United States or Canada, it does not mean you have to forgo the quality of life you are accustomed to. But, because the costs are so low, you’ll probably be capable of living in Nicaragua with even more amenities than you’re used to. Many couples can get by on $1,500 a month, or $1,200 for a single person, and still be happy and content.

The cost of living in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, is relatively inexpensive for expats. In a lovely country with an excellent standard of living, you can enjoy the beach life. Retirees will love San Juan del Sur. Nicaragua’s property and rental rates are among the lowest in the region because it is a relatively new retirement destination.

If you’re looking to make a low-cost investment or enjoy a cheap cost of living, Nicaragua offers you plenty of alternatives. As well as Nicaragua’s accessibility to North America and Europe, it also has outstanding healthcare alternatives. Great internet connections, alignment with US time zones, a gorgeous surrounding habitat, and a low cost of living are just a few of the advantages you can enjoy both personally and professionally when working from your beachfront home.

As for families, there is no better place for you. When your children attend English-based schools that are globally approved, they will receive a top-notch education. Plus, they will be exposed to a second language and a diverse cultural environment. Yet your home will look like it came straight out of a catalogue and for half of the cost. Here is a guide to the different monthly prices and expenses you should expect when relocating to Nicaragua.

The Cost of Living in Nicaragua

The cost of living in Nicaragua is the lowest in Central America and offers the highest level of public safety. Therefore, it is known as a hidden jewel. Indeed, International Living named the country one of the top ten finest destinations in the world to retire, and for a good reason!

A couple that owns a home in Nicaragua might expect monthly expenses to range from USD 1,000 to USD 2,500. A single person should expect to pay less than $1,000 each month. A family of four with a home in Nicaragua can spend between USD 2,000 and USD 5,000 per month.

Of course, it varies based on the variables below and the type of lifestyle you want to lead.

Property Costs

Costs of Owning a House

Investing in Nicaraguan real estate is a hot topic right now. Prices will start to rise once the new Costanero border crossing connecting all of the Pacific Coast beaches from Costa Rica to Las Salinas beach opens. As of now, the process has already begun. If you act quickly, you can still find a modest home or condo with beach views for less than $100,000. Prices might go as high as you wish, depending on the amenities that you choose to purchase. Restaurants, gyms, and small plazas are among the new apartment and townhouse developments that are popping up. It’s still possible to get a great deal on a home with beach views for between $150,000 and $260,000 in this area.

Owning your outright home benefits your living costs in San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua. In light of the size of your home and your overall utility use, your monthly expenses will be subject to variation.

An average of 20-200 USD a month is spent on electricity. Energy efficiency varies depending on the size and construction of your home. You will have to spend more money on a house with air conditioning in every room, regardless of its size.

Having energy-using devices, such as a pool pump, washer and dryer machines, and a hot water pump, all have the same impact on your energy bill. Using it more will increase your monthly fee. In addition to installing solar-powered pool pumps and water heaters, and gas dryer machines, many homeowners have battery-powered pool pumps and water heaters and gas dryer machines to save money on electrical expenditures.

The average monthly cost of water ranges from 20 to 50 USD. With a private development, the price per cubic metre of water is higher than with a city water connection. There is no monthly charge for water if you have a dedicated well on your property.

It costs an average of USD 25 to USD 100 per month to subscribe to a cable/internet service. The price of your service will vary depending on the service provider. Compared to satellite or standard cable internet, hard-line fibre will be more expensive.

Even though you own your home in San Juan del Sur, you only spend time there when you are on vacation. It’s not an issue! average monthly rental and property management expenses might range from $150 to $300, depending on location.

There are various companies that provide residential property management services. Property managers vary greatly based on location, the number of rooms, size of the garden, pool, etc. Many property management and rental service firms charge $150 to $300 per month to pay your bills, supervise upkeep, and ensure your residence is left in the exact condition you found it.

In order to manage the rental part of your property, the vast majority of these firms charge 20-30 per cent of the rental revenue. This includes advertising, checking in/checking out guests, communicating with guests, cleaning, and other services. Each attribute is customised on a case-by-case basis, and there are no standard packages.

The typical monthly wage for a caretaker, gardener, or maintenance worker is between $40 and $300.

When it comes to maintaining your home, having a caretaker can be really advantageous. Pool cleaning, yard maintenance, and home repairs are all examples of what you might be expected to do. Each of these services costs approximately $10 per day on average.

Costs for Rental

If you’re looking for a furnished single-bedroom house or apartment in Nicaragua, you can locate one for $300 to $400 a month. This is typically located within a few blocks of a beach or with a breath-taking mountain view. This house does not have air conditioning, but it does have fans to keep it cool. There was no pool, but the apartment was clean, well-located, and in a safe neighbourhood for families. A double-bedroom house or apartment with a pool with beach views might cost $800 to $1,000 per month, but that’s still less than the amount you’d have to spend in your own country.

proprty cost in malibu

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Utility Bills

You will likely spend anywhere between $50 to $75 on your power and water bills and nearly $45 on your high-speed internet expenses. The monthly fee for cable TV is roughly $45. Many individuals prefer to use fans over air conditioning, and heating is not necessary.

Groceries

Frequent purchases of locally grown fruits and vegetables keep food expenditures down. For example, food costs go up if you buy foreign products, tinned food, and pre-packaged foodstuffs.

Each month, a single person should expect to pay between $75 and $100. A couple will spend between $100 and $300 each month on food. The amount a family of four can spend in a month will range between $200 and $400.

La Colonia in Rivas and Pricesmart in Managua may be more expensive, but they provide a wide selection of everyday things.

Personal Costs

A haircut with a blow-dry will cost you about $10, and a one-hour massage will cost you approximately $30. In terms of taking care of yourself, Nicaragua’s prices are really reasonable.

It costs $25 for a full-body massage at Gaby’s Spa and $120 for an athletic therapeutic massage at The Spa at El Bosque at Rancho Santana.

Ten courses at Zen Yoga Studio cost $60, or you can hire a personal trainer at Fight Club Gym for $40 per week. Your monthly leisure expenses can range from $40 to $200 a month, depending on what you enjoy doing.

Transportation

In Nicaragua, buying a vehicle is an excellent investment. Depending on your vehicle, fuelling up your tank might cost anywhere from $45 to $80. If you want to explore the local beaches, we recommend a diesel vehicle, such as a Toyota Hilux. You can get an older model with less mileage for about $10,000 or $15,000.

You can rent motorcycles and ATVs for as little as $15 a month. Based on the mileage and the brand, you can buy a motorcycle for between $800 and $2,000. The cost of hiring a personal driver ranges from $10 to $30 a day.

Entertainment

Many entertainment options are available in San Juan del Sur and Tola. Monthly entertainment costs might range from $120 to $550, depending on what you do.

Enjoying gourmet cuisine and drinks for half the cost of eating in any major US city is an option for the day while staying at Tree Casa Resort beside the pools.

Don’t forget to visit the beach at Playa Santana, which offers unrivalled beauty while riding a horse. Instead, spend the day enjoying 9-hole golf at Hacienda Iguanas, where you’ll meet and socialise with your neighbours and friends. A golf session at the Hacienda Iguana costs $20 per person. The golf cart is available for $25 per day, while the club rental is $10 per day. You do not need to pay a green fee if you own the property.

If you are considering buying land in Nicaragua, here are a few things you need to know.
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Eating In

With fruits and vegetables, a month’s worth of groceries for a couple costs less than $300. You can have freshly-caught red snapper for as little as $3 at most local markets. They will even gut, clean, and scale the fish for an additional 50 cents. Frozen red snapper cost $34.95 a pound in New York City. The cost of fresh fruits and vegetables is low, and a single individual may eat well for roughly $10 a week. Chicken, beef, and pork are not only less expensive than in the United States, but they are also not pumped, plumped, or coloured. Nicaragua does not authorise genetically modified organisms. All of the food served here is fresher, tastier, and more nutritious.

Eating Out

Eating out is also cost-effective. An entire supper of rice and beans with chicken, fish, or beef costs only $3 at restaurants in the municipal market. For $1.25, you can order a beer at a restaurant. The cost of living in Nicaragua is progressively increasing as more foreigners relocate to the nation, but it is still far cheaper than in your own country. In ordinary restaurants, Nicaraguan-style meals often cost $3 to $6. Fancy seafood platters can cost up to $20 per person, which is normally served with a glass of wine, beer, or rum.

Nanny/Cleaning Service

Numerous experienced nannies are willing to give caregiving and cleaning services for a monthly fee. The only problem is finding one. A month’s worth of these services might cost anywhere from $100 to $350, based on the number of kids and hours worked. One month’s salary for a full-time nanny working from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, is normally between $250 and $350.

Child Education

Three excellent bilingual schools offer globally approved curricula in the San Juan del Sur area and the Tola area. So, your children can learn at a higher level and transfer their credits to schools in North America.

In San Juan del Sur, a month’s tuition for one child will cost $400. $75 USD-$150 USD a month for one child at Escuela Adelante in San Juan del Sur. Escuela Santa Ana in Tola charges $350-$520 per month for one child.

Health and Medical Care

Even foreigners have access to free public health care in Nicaragua. A general appointment with a doctor will set you back $15. Appointments for complicated conditions may cost between $40 and $50. A cleaning visit with a dentist costs merely $15.

Pet Care

Flea and tick preventive is available locally in San Juan for $52.00 and provides protection for 12 weeks. A 20-pound bag of dog food costs $21.52 at Pricesmart in Managua. A general check-up with a veterinarian will set you back $12.

Tourist Visa Renewal

It is mandatory to renew your tourist visa every 90 days if you live in Nicaragua and do not have a resident permit. This can be done in Costa Rica, which is the easiest and cheapest way to do it. The cost of renewing a tourist visa (through the Costa Rica border) is $24 USD per person, not including transportation.