THE TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR BILLIONAIRE

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update:  Gallon of super gasoline-$5

Today we decided to go to Sugar Beach Hotel for lunch.  It’s located on a lovely beach with expansive views of the ocean. Our friendly waiter helped us with our choice; I had the fish fillet sandwich while my husband ordered the curry chicken wrap.  Deciding on saving some money, we both shared one Orange Fanta.

The meals were excellent and the bill (including tax plus tip) came to under $25. We then asked a worker if we could go for a quick dip in their pool.  Of course we wouldn’t pass up that.

Twenty-five dollars is the perfect price for a place with a killer view and an equally killer infinity pool.  I’ve paid more at Macaroni Grill to wait 45 minutes  just to get a table…and I never once wore my bikini.

I may not be a billionaire but love the idea of living like one. That is, with a budget of $25.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:54-04:00 April 28th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: , |14 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

14 Comments

  1. […] can’t wait to drive down to Sugar Beach or Playa Danta for boogie boarding and drinks by the sea. It’s going be a smooth ride […]

  2. DeAnna Warner May 4, 2011 at 2:08 pm - Reply

    I am wistfully longing for the best lunches on earth. Beats the heck out of leftover Chinese takeout and birthday cake while waiting for the bus!

    • admin May 4, 2011 at 7:27 pm - Reply

      I can assure you that I have yet to have any good Chinese food down here.

  3. Tammy May 2, 2011 at 10:27 pm - Reply

    We just booked a trip to Tamarindo the last week of June. I am betting you are living fairly close to there…willing to bring you a care package (ie mustard from your previous posts) if you need one. Although pretty sure the IHOP pancakes would not taste so good if I transported those 🙂

    • admin May 3, 2011 at 4:28 pm - Reply

      LOL. Thanks but my parents just came to visit and they were the mules for most of the things I needed (printer cartridge, king size sheet, books). I just bought a small containter of feta cheese in Tamarindo supermarket and it came to $6. I am thinking that feta cheese will now be on the “special” list. (Those things that I rarely buy, and when I do, treat it like it’s the Holy Grail.)

      Would love to meet you. Let me know when you are in town!!

  4. ronniesabol@yahoo.com April 30, 2011 at 9:21 pm - Reply

    Sweeeeeet.

  5. Sugar Beach April 30, 2011 at 5:00 pm - Reply

    We’re so glad you enjoyed your lunch and swim at Sugar Beach. Love the video. We’ve linked to your site from our blog. Not just because of the shout out; we really like your philosophy.

    Sugar

    • admin April 30, 2011 at 5:24 pm - Reply

      Thanks for the link. We have always loved Hotel Sugar Beach. From the first time we visited almost 6 years ago to today. I like the intimacy of it, the cove, the monkeys, the feeling that you are away from the crowds. It’s truly a special place and always recommend it to our friends.

      That curry chicken really was great. Will be back soon!

  6. Todd | ChannelingMyself April 29, 2011 at 11:31 pm - Reply

    I paid $40 the other day to eat at IHOP with the family, and that is with the kids eating free. Plus, no dip in a pool after dinner. Gas prices are certainly driving up the prices of food here.

    • admin April 30, 2011 at 2:25 pm - Reply

      Gas prices are high here too, and I am sure the cost of fruits and vegetables with increase as well.

      I think $25 is a fair price for lunch at a nice place. I know others might think this is expensive but we don’t do it often and make sure it really is spectacular. We really try to stick to our $1000 to $1200 a month budget, and comparing that to the cost of living in the states, I think it’s cheap.

      Now I’m dreaming about pancakes. What I would do for a trip to IHOP right now.

      • Brian Ussery July 26, 2011 at 1:59 am - Reply

        Pretty nice..if a person is able to have the discipline and not go overboard during the month..you can always go in or near San Jose and find places like Denny’s or Hooters.Over here in Liberia we have plenty of the U.S. franchise joints like Papa Johns,Subway,McDonalds,Churches Chicken,Pizza Hut,and Burger King..when I get the craven for American food

        • admin July 26, 2011 at 7:34 am - Reply

          Even if you can’t go and stay at any of these fancy places, it’s nice to just have lunch there. You can still get that feel of a resort by just spending some time there.

          It’s always nice to have a meal right near the beach. And if you can keep it under $25, it’s something that can make someone’s trip here a little extra special.

  7. william hays April 29, 2011 at 3:06 am - Reply

    I liked both your thinking on that lunch. I like that ideal sharing the orange fanta. I like both of your disciplined mentality in that environment.

    • admin April 30, 2011 at 2:26 pm - Reply

      Saved a little on that soda, probably what we will always do so that the bill comes to under $25. They do charge a lot for soda down here.

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