Cost of Living

Beginning on April 1st Gord and I have tracked every single cordoba we’ve spent through to the end of the month.

To help us with this task we’re using a great little app called iXpenseIt. It’s available on iTunes for $4.99 USD and so far it’s worked great in helping us track our purchases and better manage our money.

Before you ask us why we would bother to take the time to do such a let me explain.

When Gord and I were researching our move to Nicaragua the burning question was,

“How much does it cost to live in Nicaragua?”  

We had difficulty finding the kind of detailed information we were looking for so today’s blog post is dedicated to those of you out there with the same question.

Before jumping right to the numbers we want to share a few important details regarding our lifestyle and the way we chose to live.

  • We are currently renting a brand new studio apartment in Granada, Nicaragua. It is fully furnished and our apartment complex has large saltwater pool, rooftop terrace and too many other amenities to mention.  Although our apartment offers hot water and air conditioning due to the high cost of electricity in Nicaragua we choose to live without.
  • We own a 2001 Hyundai Galloper that we use for the occasional road trip and out of town travel.  Granada is a very walkable, so that’s how we typically get around.
  • We have no children or pets.
  • We prepare and eat most of our meals in house, but enjoy dining out at least a couple of times per week.  We are also big fans of ice cold Toña and Flor de Caña.

Our targeted budget for this month was $1400 USD.  We know some expats who are living on a lot less and others who are living on much more.  We are very pleased that we managed to end the month off at $1404.51, just $4.51 over budget.

Now onto the numbers…

The table below shows a detailed summary of our expenses by category.  Please note that the exchange rate is based on 23 cordobas per $1 USD.

And for those of you that want even more detail just scroll down the page to review every single purchase we made during the month of April.

If you have any questions regarding the Cost of Living in Nicaragua please feel free to drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you!

74 Comments

  3. This is very helpful! I am a single mother and want to bring my son to spend a couple of years in Granada before he heads off to college. This is extremely helpful in gauging costs now I’m looking for some different options for getting him involved in social activities for teens. We are very excited!

    Mandy

  4. You wouldnt be staying at the Vista Mombecho would you? My wife and I got a tour from the developer back in December when it was still under construction. Looked like it was going to be a neat place. He said the rent was going to be $550 a month. Your description sounds like the same place we saw.

    Dustin

  5. As a retired senior in Canada I have been looking at Nicarague as a possible place to spend my retirement years. Do you recommend Granada for a senior from Canada? I so appreciate your detail on expenses as that information is just about impossible to find.
    Thanks again.
    Judy Bradbury

    Judy Bradbury

    1. Hi Judy,

      I would definitely recommend Granada for a retired senior from Canada. In fact, pretty much all of our friends in Granada are retired seniors from either Canada or the US. Granada seems to have a great sense of community among the expats.

      We too found it next to impossible to find detailed expense information when researching our move to Nicaragua and that is what prompted us to do the post.

      Thanks for your interest in In Nica Now! Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any other questions.

      Cheers,
      Elisha

      In Nica Now

  6. Hello and thank you for the information!! I’m living in California now – wondering how much I’d need to spend for a studio apt. / room? I’d like to come down for a couple of months and see how things feel. Best time of year for a visit? I’d like to live on a $1000.00/mo. in Grenada. Possible?

    Thanks!

    helena

    1. There are lots of rentals in Granada in the $200 to $550 price range.

      The nicest we found was Vista Mombacho Apartments. They have a huge pool and rooftop patio.

      There are lots of people that do indeed live on $1000 per month. You need to make good buying decisions, but it can be done.

      In my opinion the only months to avoid are at the end of dry season. April and May are very hot.

      In Nica Now

  7. Howdy, Gord and Elisha!

    I’m very happy to have discovered your blog “InNIcaNow.com”. (I have a blog on WordPress, as well: LindsayEndureFort.com. Drop by, sometime.)

    I read, with GREAT interest, your article, “Reinvented at 37 and Loving Life in Nicaragua”, published in the January 2013 edition of INTERNATIONAL LIVING.

    I appreciate the information that you are sharing on your blog. It is VERY helpful to me.

    I just turned 62. I’m single, with four adult children and seven grandchildren. I love my family, but feel a definite need to change my life and do, at at last, the things that I truly want to do: discover and experience new cultures, write, photograph and “make a new life”. I’m not getting any younger…and there is no better time than NOW, while I enjoy good health and still have a keen sense of adventure.

    How would I go about getting in touch with Glenn (the developer of your apartment complex), or another person, where I could get more information about occupancy and renting there. I’m READY to make the move.

    Thanks again, for all that you have shared!

    Steve Lindsey

    Steve Lindsey

  8. Hello folks Me and my son is in costa Rica now. We are norwegians. We want
    to come to Granada , Nicaragua. I’ve searched the net for rentals but find only very expensive places- Dollars 550 like you pay, is Ok. Can you help ? My e-mail is: Regards and thanks ! Kari

    Kari Sparhell

        1. Hi Todd,

          Aside from a few very special circumstances, foreigners cannot work in Nicaragua. That being said this is the easiest country in Central America to start a business.

          I have many expat friends that are dating or married to Nicaraguans.

          Cheers,
          Gordon

          In Nica Now

  10. Pingback: Granada, Nicaragua, as an expat destination | yucatango

  11. I was skimming your expenses list, so forgive me if I missed it, but I didn’t see anything for internet or phone service. Do you run a blog from cafes with free wireless? Or is it provided in your apartment?

    FYI, I’m another single Canadian (presently, and not happily, living in Southern California) and shooting to “retire” (though I’ll need to be doing on-line work for a few years to do it) in 2014-2015. I read somewhere that the Nicaragua coast is pretty dry and barren (which sounds like the Ecuador coast), but this baffles me since you’re right next door to Costa Rica and there are tons of lush-looking beach towns there. I realize CR is more developed (some would say over-developed) but what is the truth about the Ecuador coastline, because I may love Colonial cities, but much prefer to live near the beach–my lifelong dream?

    Thanks for this blog, by the way, it really helps with the long-distance research!

    Claire Winstone

    1. Hi Claire,

      Hi-speed wifi is included in our rent, as is cable. We use Magic Jack for phone service which gives us a Canadian number and unlimited long distance in North America. We got a deal and paid just over $100 for 5 years, which included the hardware.

      The Pacific side of Nicaragua is nearly identical in rainfall and topography to the Guanacaste Peninsula in Costa Rica. The Pacific side of both countries gets six months with rain and six without.

      Our last rainy season gave us an hour of rain every second day. Usually in the late afternoon. Most days were sunny before and after the rain storm. It does get a little dusty near the end of dry season, but I wouldn’t call it dry and barren.

      We are in the last month of dry season right now and most fruits are coming into their best part of the season. Mangos and avocados are nearly the size of the cantaloupe. The watermelon, cantaloupe and pineapple are super sweet right now as well.

      I don’t know enough about the Ecuadorian coast line to comment, but we sure love San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

      Cheers,
      Gordon

      In Nica Now

  13. Pingback: Where We Go For Help | Getting To Nica

  14. I’ve a friend who has been talking to me about moving to sjds or nearby. What is the income for workers? I fear getting stuck there if I decide its not for me. I’m maybe just paranoid, but all I see is what international living posts. Thanks for your time.

    chris

    1. Hi Chris,

      There really aren’t jobs here for expats. Unemployment and underemployment is a real issue for local Nicaraguans so they need the jobs. Most expats that want to generate an income start their own business.

      Cheers,
      Gordon

      In Nica Now

  16. Thanks for such a splendid, meticulous explanation. Question for me is: What about medical
    insurance costs? I’m 65 & CALIF is getting expensive. Lived on Maui 15 yrs. Been eyeing
    Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica (more costly?), etc. Please assist. Can I live on $1590 to
    2350 US dollars until my IRA’s kick in? God bless you and thanks so much..Stephen &
    Ofelia 805-314-4588

    Stephen Lee Harney

  17. Wow, gracias por esse informacion! I am 45 and no plans to retire soon but I find this all very interesting. I would love however to visit with my 11 year old son sometime in the next few years. I am a former chef and serious “hispanophile”. 20 years in the restaurant business and now I speak better Spanish than French, and French was my major! May I ask what you two do for a living? You suggest there are no real “job” opportunities and that most expats start businesses so I am just wondering how you afford your frugal lifestyle. Anyone looking for a personal chef? Thanks again, y tenga buen verano.

    Pablo

    Paul Gregory

    1. Hi Paul,

      Thanks for your interest in In Nica Now.

      We invested wisely and as a result are able to live a comfortable life here.

      Before packing up and moving to Nicaragua I worked as an Executive Assistant for an Oil & Gas Company and Gordon worked as a Senior Manager for a Telecommunications Company.

      Sadly, we do not know anyone who is looking for a personal chef. Have you thought of posting an ad Craigslist? LOL

      Cheers,
      Elisha

      In Nica Now

  18. Me and my fiancé are getting ready to move from Arkansas, US after we get married in March. I have a buddy telling us that Granada is the cheapest/most beautiful place.

    We want to move somewhere for about 6 months and just experience life and new scenery.

    Is this truly a place worth leaving work and goin to see for half a year and spending all of that money?

    Or do you have a different location that would be better for us. We are 21 and 19 years of age. So I just want some opinions before I pack up and leave everything if its not worth it.

    Thanks,
    Hunter & Paige

    Hunter winston

    1. Hey Guys!

      Based on your ages I think you would enjoy life in San Juan del Sur, more so than Granada.

      Granda is a beautiful city – one that we enjoyed living in – but in our experience the majority of the expats we met there were 20 – 30 years older than us.

      You might find these articles interesting:

      http://innicanow.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/international-living-daily-postcards/
      http://innicanow.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/location-location-location/

      Have you thought about dividing your time in different places?

      Cheers,
      Elisha

      PS. In my opinion Nicaragua is definitely worth packing up for!

      In Nica Now

  19. Hey guys, I´m loving your blog, its very helpful/informative. After living in Europe and North America I´m finally longing to go back to Nicaragua, how are the possibilities finding a job in one of the new hotel projects in the pacific coast? Can´t retire yet (40!!!) Thanks 4 r reply.

    moniquekusee

    1. Finding work in Nicaragua isn’t easy. The unemployment and underemployment rates are very high and most Nicaraguans work for $5 USD per day. The easiest way for a foreigner to legally work in Nicaragua is to open a business. Small businesses are always welcomed!

      In Nica Now

  22. Hi Elisha & Gord,

    I have read parts of your blog, really good job!

    My husband and I are in our mid 50s and just about had enough of British Columbia (Vancouver & South Okanagan) winters and jobs, we are working on researching what kind of business (we both are sales & marketing type people, Steve in the Motorcycle wholesale business, me Commercial Insurance) we could bring/start and live in Nicaragua.

    What are other expats doing that do work? What kind of business (retail/services) might work well there? If you can give any insight or thoughts it would be most appreciative?

    Congratulations to you two for your earlier than later in life insight to living well in a warm climate.

    Steve & Christie

    Christie

  23. Thanks for the awesome info.

    My girlfriend and I are thinking of wintering on Ometepe Island. Do you know if the airport is finished yet? I’m a pilot, we are going to fly down from Canada to Ometepe, depending on the airport being finished. We are thinking of offering scenic flying tours around southern Nic. Do you know of the amount of the tourist flow on Ometepe?

    Thanks again.

    josh

    1. We were on Ometepe two weeks ago and the airport was not open. Opening the business that you are describing may take more time and paperwork than timeline allows.

      innicanow

  24. Pingback: One Month of Living Expenses 2014: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua | In Nica Now

  25. Hello Gordon and Elisha, I am seriously considering to moving to Nicaragua and your blog and information have been very useful to say the least. I am in the process of researching and finding the right spot to relocate to. Thank you very much for your invaluable efforts and assistance to all.

    Vassil Yanco

  26. Thank you so much for all of the great information!! I am bringing my fiancé to Granada and San Juan del Sur in early April for an exploratory visit and vacation. (Yes, I know, hot… but that is worth truly experiencing if I plan to move there!!) I retire in 6 years, but I am considering buying a rental property/vacation home in the meantime. How has the rental market been recently? Any other thoughts/words of wisdom?

    Gracias!!
    Tamara

    Tamara

    1. Hi Tamara,

      The rental market is totally dependent on how well you market and manage your property. You can plan to booked during the busy season with little to no reservations during slow season.

      We’ve heard (and seen) from home owners that it can be difficult to find really good property and rental managers.

      Cheers,
      Elisha

      innicanow

  27. Hi there! My boyfriend and I have spent the last two months in SJDS, and are looking to get away for the month of April. We are thinking of heading to Granada. Any thoughts on where we could start looking for a cheap apartment/ lodging for at least a month? Thanks for your help.

    natasha

  28. I just came across your site; very helpful and unlike others (which shall remain nameless) you are not pitching costly (and unnecessary seminars, etc.) and provide a real and probably realistic expectation of the actual cost of living as opposed to generalizations.

    Presently we live in Vietnam (which has a wide range of life styles and expenses) and is a very interesting place, but my partner and I are thinking about Nica or some select regions of Mexico for “retirement” (whatever that means).

    I have been in Nica and most of Central America and did not enjoy Granada as much as other places (Las Penitas/Leon). There was too much gentrification (rich Westerners rehabbing colonial homes) and poverty/beggars/crime in Granada to feel comfortable – but maybe I am judgmental.

    We are thinking of Matagalpa – Ometepe – Leon as possible part-time retirement locations (but would give Granada a second look).

    Any advice?

    Dr. Roy Nirschel

    1. Hi Roy,

      Thanks for your interest in In Nica Now.

      Have you given any thought to residing in San Juan del Sur?

      When planning our move San Juan wasn’t even on our list, but after spending a year and a bit trying out Poneloya, Leon, Granada and Laguna de Apoyo we eventually made our way here…and love it!

      There is a great mix of expats of all ages from all around the world living here. Our friends come from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Holland, Ireland, Switzerland, the United States and course, Nicaragua.

      If you up for it there are plenty of great non-profit organizations and causes here you can get involved with.

      And another plus…we have beautiful beaches both North and South of us all within a 10 – 20 minute drive, depending which one you want to go.

      My suggestion would be to spend a few months in each of the areas you are considering before buying a property and settling down. That way you are never “stuck” somewhere you don’t want to be.

      Thanks for taking the time to comment!

      Elisha

      PS. We have never been to Matagalpa, but are thinking about taking a trip there for soon!

      innicanow

  30. I have read a lot of the comments and read the blog, so a lot of my questions were answered. However, I did notice that a lot of the people were a bit older. I am 22, and looking to leave home and want to explore the world. Would you say that it would still be just as easy for someone my age to make an adjustment living there for a couple of months?

    z

    1. San Juan del Sur might be a better choice for someone your age. We have lots of youth here running businesses, teaching and surfing. In Granada we were referred to as “the kids” at most of the expat get-togethers that we attended. I’m sure there is a young crowd to be found at the hostels but they will be very transitory.

      innicanow

  31. Hi Gord and Hi Elisha! (or the other way around, with no disrespect…)

    We’ve just donated some “coffee” to your morning endeavor and good will…

    I’m George, 52, and within 2 yrs (max 3 yrs…) I will come there with my wife to join you guys… (or, who knows, maybe there sooner…).
    We live in Ontario Canada.

    We’re fed up and words are useless… I cannot describe the frustration…

    I personally thank you for your time devoted to guiding people towards “beautiful”…
    Your work is priceless!!!

    We are thinking of doing some good on those lands… No, we’re not millionaires, we will come there with a $2000 CAD a month to start with and eventually do some magic…
    I am an artist, teacher (math, physics, chemistry, computer science etc…..) +++ inventor, visionary and humanitarian…

    My idea is to settle, open a business (maybe hospitality – my wife is an executive chef and I also have a few licenses to open ANY hospitality business around the world…).
    I would dedicate part of my spare time to teaching children the REAL “stuff”, FREE OF CHARGE.

    Cheers guys,
    george and carmen

    george m.

    1. George & Carmen,

      Thank you so much for your kind words!

      You should be able to live a very good life in Nicaragua on a monthly budget of $2000 CAD.

      There are many volunteer organizations in Nicaragua looking for people just like you! Sounds like you’ll be able to do some amazing work teaching and inspiring some of the children and making a difference here.

      A couple of organizations we’ve had the pleasure of working with here in San Juan del Sur are The Barrio Planta Project and Comunidad Connect.

      On Saturday Gordon got to spend his morning playing Frisbee Golf with some pretty awesome kids!

      All the best,
      Elisha & Gordon

      innicanow

  32. Kenpal
    Hello and I have enjoyed reading your comments on Nicaragua, I have been living in S.E. Asia for ten years and I am interested in Central America now, I took an immersion course in Spanish in Costa Rica in 1992 but did not keep up with it due to my living in SEA so I have looked on line and from what I have read there are more Spanish schools in Esteli and maybe cheaper than Coastal cities. I would like to spend a month or so immersed in the language as I like speaking the local dialect, Would be interested in what you guys have to say or learned while you lived in Nicaragua. My name is Ken and I will be heading to Nicaragua in the first week of December 2014.
    I am retired and living on only US $900 for another year and a half and then will make $2000 a month.

    Kenneth Pyatte

    1. Hi Kenneth,

      Thanks for your interest in In Nica Now.

      Learning the local language is definitely a great idea. It will make your experience richer and life here easier.

      We have a couple of single friends that live on just over $600 USD per month, so I think you could live fairly well on $900.

      Cheers,
      Elisha

      innicanow

  33. Are u still in Grenada? We live in BKK Thailand and would love to share information about daily cost of living with you. Our site is Bangkok Living Travel and Food. My name is J West Hardin….I am linked to our other contact pages on line.

    J West Hardin

    1. You’re welcome, Michael!

      When we started reaching our move over 5 years ago we weren’t able to find any detailed information on the cost of living in Nicaragua, so when we started the blog we knew detailed expense reports were definitely something we wanted to share.

      Cheers,
      Elisha

      innicanow

  36. Pingback: One Month’s Living Expenses 2015 – San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua | In Nica Now

  37. Hi Gordon and Elisha
    Enjoyed reading this. We are thinking of spending 3-6 ,months per year in Nicaragua. My wife is Colombian (53) and I am a gringo (73). We’ve b een married 15 years and spent 8 of those in Colombia (San Andres Isla in Caribbean…off Nica coast and foothills of Sierra Nevadas in Santa Marta). I loved the experience but finally got tired of Colombian govt requirements of endless paper work, and continued attempts to extort money out of us, so moved back to States. Still have many friends in Colombia. I do not wish to face foreign govt. requirements for residency again….ever. But nearly all Latin American countries allow up to 6 months of visiting per year, no govt. intervention, no Visas. Living abroad we were able to save alot of our retirement income and live much better than we do in States. Maybe we’ll see you some day soon in Nicaragua. If not Nicaragua, we might return to Santa Marta, a lovely place.

    Tom Young

  38. Hi
    Very nice site (and hopefully accurate).

    It seems that you know the area that why I will get to the point.

    I am planning to come mid August for at least 3 months if not much longer.

    Could you suggest please a realtors name in order for me to find a fully furnished apartment to rent? I am willing to pay up to $800 for the right place.

    Thanking you in advance,
    Dimitri Kaizer

    alex panos

    1. Hi Dimitri,

      Real estate agents don’t typically deal with rentals in this price range. They tend to focus on sales and vacation rentals, as this is where they can actually make some money.

      We offer Home Finder & Relocation services and would be happy help you secure a rental for August.

      For information on our services (including pricing) check out our Home Finder & Relocation Services page.

      Cheers,
      Elisha

      innicanow

  39. Pingback: Another Month’s Living Expenses 2015: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua | In Nica Now

  40. Excellent description of all. I travel once a year to the North (Esteli) and sorroundings and spent 1500 to 2000 bucks in two weeks but live like a king. Isnt Granada expensive since its for tourists?

    Luis Rugama

    1. Hi Luis

      Granada and San Juan del Sur certainly do have more tourists and expats than the Northern cities. This equates to more opportunities for dining and shopping and of course spending more money. At the same time if you buy local produce and eat similar foods to Nicaraguans you will not see a marked difference in price. Savvy expats also take advantage of sales and promotions that tourists are rarely aware of. If we spent $2000 in a month we would definitely be living like kings and queens.

      Cheers,
      Gordon

      In Nica Now

  41. My wife,Ulla and I are about to retire on about $2.000 MONTHLY social security. We have sufficient funds buy a place. I do renovations, specifically custom tile work. In the past I have taught and would like to volunteer with kids ( I was a Peace Corps volunteers years ago in Morocco. We visited Granada and San San Juan del Sur a few years ago. Any suggestions in terms of cost of medical and the wisdom of purchasing a home? Cheers, Tom and Ulla

    Tom

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