The digital nomad lifestyle is perfect for people who love slow travel and exploring a place in-depth
Costa Rica is a great place for digital nomads to live and work remotely. Located in Central America, it’s not too far from the United States.
And it’s quite affordable compared to many major cities in the US.
So you might be wondering where in Costa Rica will I find other digital nomads? Well we have put the top spots below for you!
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Why Do Digital Nomads Love Costa Rica?
Digital nomads love Costa Rica for many reasons.
It is close to North America.
And the country is full of beautiful beaches and scenery to explore!
The internet scene is strong, which is perfect for people who work online.
With a Digital Nomad Visa, you don’t have to worry about frequently updating your visa. You can just enjoy life without dealing with bureaucracy.
Another perk for digital nomads is the tax exemption for up to 12 months.
Also, it’s really easy to make friends! If you need a little bit of help getting situated, join some Facebook groups.
This is a resource that will help you plug yourself into the community!
What Is the Cost of Living in Costa Rica?
From our research we found that Costa Ricans spend between $1,500 USD to $2,600 each month.
The price varies based on location and lifestyle.
The cost of living in Costa Rica is relativity cheap if you want to reduce your costs to zero you can trying house sitting in Costa Rica, see the steps for starting out as a house sitter, these steps will ensure you get your foot in the door quickly.
While it is way cheaper to live in other parts of Central America, Costa Rica is cheaper than many US cities.
Rent usually costs over a thousand US dollars each month.
The average internet cost each month is USD 50.
Eating out can get expensive, especially if you take advantage of the nightlife. Fortunately, you can cut your food bill by eating at home.
6 Best Places for Digital Nomads in Costa Rica
When considering Costa Rica, you should look at the cost of living and internet situation.
We’ve compiled a list of the 6 best places to fit these criteria as well as the pros and cons of living in Costa Rica.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a popular vacation spot for tourists.
Since Tamarindo caters to tourists, they have perks you won’t find elsewhere. You may have to deal with tourists, but the benefits are great!
The cost of living is extremely low during the off-season.
Since tourists aren’t renting rooms from May through November, you can snag a room for a great price!
However, prices skyrocket from December to April.
There is also a lot of entertainment.
Beach lovers especially can take advantage of services offered to the tourists.
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica.
It has everything you could ever dream of!
Since it is so far from the coast, you’ll have to take day trips to visit the beach. You also will have to get out of town to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
However, you get all the perks of living in a city!
You can find public transportation, reliable Wi-Fi, and local culture in San Jose!
This bustling city has a rich heritage and you can easily learn all about its history. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the local culture and meet people at the many events.
It’s also pretty centrally located. This means it will be easy to visit many of the popular attractions throughout the country!
Samara
Samara is a laid-back beach town beloved by yogis and surfers.
With many vegan and organic food options, the crunchy hippie type will love it here!
This is one of the best towns for beach lovers. Many people here frequently snorkel, fish, and scuba dive.
Since Samara is so small, it is easy to get around. It’s also easy to immerse yourself in the community!
You’ll make new friends very quickly here.
They also have daily buses to San Jose. This helps a lot if you need to run to the city for any reason at all.
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa, located on the Nicoya Peninsula, is a surfing town with a large community of foreigners.
While it is easy to find housing in Santa Teresa, it is quite rural.
It’s far from hospitals, the international airport, and most attractions.
Santa Teresa, in the Nicoya Peninsula, is a surfing town with a large community of foreigners.
While it is easy to find housing in Santa Teresa, it is quite rural. It’s far from hospitals, the international airport, and most attractions.
This is great for nature enthusiasts who want to enjoy Costa Rica’s beauty!
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is a city with a lot to offer. Although, you won’t see any skyscrapers or too much traffic!
People here enjoy the perks of city life without actually living in the city.
It’s a party town so there’s always something to do.
You’ll be able to make loads of new friends here!
While many foreigners live here, you’ll also interact with many of the locals.
Puerto Viejo is a relaxed beach town. You won’t bump into many tourists because there aren’t many attractions in the area.
You might also have slower internet speeds.
This will encourage you to slow down and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle!
For any fans of wildlife, Puerto Viejo is a great place to live.
You’ll see toucans, sloths, monkeys, and more hanging around the area!
Liberia
Liberia is a quiet little beach town.
It’s not very big at all, which means that the cost of living is low.
You’ll be able to learn about local culture. You’ll also be able to explore without running into tourists.
Internet coverage can be spotty, but that’s what mobile data plans are for!
Ambitious people will love that there are few distractions here. It will make it easy to reach your goals!
What Is the Internet Like in Costa Rica?
The internet scene in Costa Rica has grown quickly.
There are many quality internet providers to choose from.
This means you’ll have a decent internet connection at an affordable price!
Anyone renting an apartment will probably have to install the internet. Fortunately, it is quite affordable.
You can also find public wifi in many places. If you want to meet other remote workers, definitely go to a coworking space!
However, you won’t likely see many people in a cafe with their laptops.
That is because co-working spaces exist to provide better working environments.
What Should You Know Before Going to Costa Rica?
Cell phone coverage is pretty affordable in Costa Rica. However, the coverage isn’t strong throughout the entire country.
Costa Rica has a long rainy season and humid weather. This can destroy some of your electronics. It is important to properly care for them.
Bring extra battery packs and chargers. The electricity often goes out in Costa Rica so it is nice to have a backup!
While it’s not hard to find housing, you have to know where to look. You can drive around and find “For Rent” signs. Or you can look online.
Many websites will help you find good deals on housing.
If you want to use your connections to find a great home, join some Facebook groups. This is one of the most popular ways to find housing in Costa Rica.
You can easily visit the neighbouring countries or check out white sand beaches.
Which place in Cost Rica would you like to try living it?
Author: Britt
I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past seven years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, one turtle, and one rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.
The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.
I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures, and meet new people.
Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.
I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so please reach out if you have any questions! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!
You can read more about Jay and me here!
Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house-sitting community on Facebook.
