Costa Rica Digital Nomads & Remote Workers Guide

Last Updated on January 28, 2024

Why Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has become an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers and there are many good reasons why!

The attraction of this country for remote working includes because of its:

• tropical climate
• abundant wildlife
• proximity to the US (hence why it’s popular with many American digital nomads)
• affordability
• good food
• beaches and outdoor lifestyle

1. Wildlife and Natural Beauty

First and foremost, Costa Rica is renowned for its natural beauty.

With miles of beaches, lush rainforests, and stunning volcanoes, Costa Rica truly captures the imagination.

Whether you’re a beach lover, an adventure seeker, or just looking to explore a new country, Costa Rica has something for everyone.

2. Affordability

Even though Costa Rica has become a bit more expensive in the last five years, it is still quite cheap compared to other countries in Europe, the USA, Canada, and Australia.

As a digital nomad, you will find that your money goes quite far here and it is sustainable to live quite well as a nomad here.

3. The People and Culture

Costa Rica benefits from a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Its people are renowned for their hospitality, and you will likely find that it is easy to make friends in this beautiful country!

With its natural beauty, cost of living, and welcoming atmosphere, you can begin to appreciate why so many remote workers are flocking to experience the benefits of working in this tropical paradise!

Whether you’re looking for a permanent home or just a place to spend some time, Costa Rica is an excellent choice for living as a digital nomad.

Costa Rica Digital Nomads Visa

Many digital nomads visit for one, two, or three months and work as they travel on a tourist visa. This is the most common way that remote workers come to Costa Rica and work.

In recent years though, the Costa Rican government has introduced what appropriately is named the “Digital Nomads Visa” and this is another option, especially for staying longer term.

If you have not already visited our page on countries with digital nomads visas and seen the information on Costa Rica, let me briefly summarize again the requirements and what’s on offer.

• You need to be earning the equivalent of more than USD$3000 a month and be able to prove it (USD$4000 if planning to bring dependents)
• The money should be earned from outside of Costa Rica
• You must submit a completed application form and pay a USD$100 submission fee
• Forms and documents must be officially translated into Spanish
• The name of the visa is the ‘Stancia Visa for Remote Workers’ and you can get full details here.

5 Best Places for Digital Nomads in Costa Rica

There are several areas of Costa Rica that are worth considering and each has something slightly different to offer. These are my five favorite places below.

1. Puerto Viejo

Located on the Caribbean coast (so on the eastern seaboard of Costa Rica), Puerto Viejo offers a unique combination of stunning beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.

The area is known for its laid-back vibes, amazing surf spots, stunning rainforest preserves, and vibrant nightlife.

Furthermore, it is also home to a thriving digital nomad community, with many people choosing to stay in Puerto Viejo for extended periods of time.

You can find excellent WiFi speeds in most cafes and coworking places in the town that can keep up with digital nomads’ needs.

In terms of accommodation, you can also find plenty of places to rent, including budget-friendly hostels, apartments, and even private homes.

2. Tamarindo

Tamarindo, located on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a fantastic option if you want to be on the coast.

Tamarindo is also quite a lively town that has a number of coffee shops and bars that you can enjoy working from.

When not working, you can also find plenty of attractions, including a national park, golf courses, and numerous cultural sites.

With a number of stunning white sandy beaches and clear waters, it’s a particularly great choice if you enjoy water sports (such as snorkeling, and surfing) or if you enjoy fishing.

Overall, this is a great location for getting work done whilst also unwinding and enjoying the great outdoors and nature.

Tamarindo is also conveniently located close to Liberia International Airport, making it easy to get to Tamarindo from anywhere in the world.

3. Jaco

Jaco is a little like Marmite in that you will probably either really love it or really hate it.

It is quite a built-up area and is considered by many to be a party town.

So, if you are planning to come to Costa Rica to work and live in the wilderness, then Jaco might disappoint you.

If, on the other hand, you are a remote worker who is looking for the following then it might be for you:

• Quite lively (including a quite robust nightlife)
• With the Costa Rican climate
• A sizeable beach
• Quite close to San Jose airport
• A good range of accommodation options

Jaco is only 80 miles west of the capital San Jose and it’s a town with a long history of hospitality, hence you can expect to see plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars located along its main street.

The beachfront is particularly attractive to remote workers, offering a tranquil setting to work and relax at the same time.

For working from Jaco, there are:

• several co-working spaces (including a Selina, and Pacific CoWork Jaco)
• there are numerous cafes with decent WiFi near the beach area
• you can rent an apartment or beachfront cabin relatively cheaply and work from there and explore in the evenings

The cost of living in Jaco is relatively low compared to other beachfront locations, making it a great option for you as a digital nomad on a budget.

It is also close to many other popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, such as Manuel Antonio National Park, which offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration.

With its warm climate and convenient amenities, Jaco is certainly worth considering.

4. Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, is another ideal destination for you as a remote worker.

With beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and a variety of activities to do, it’s the perfect place to combine work and pleasure.

In Manuel Antonio, there is an abundance of amenities for remote workers such as co-working spaces, plenty of restaurants and cafes to work in, and a number of hotels that offer private rooms.

Because the region is so popular with tourists, there are also lots of activities to do after you have finished working for the day.

You can go surfing, scuba diving, hiking, or even ziplining through the jungle.

The climate in Manuel Antonio is tropical and warm all year round, with temperatures usually ranging between 22 and 29 degrees Celsius.

This makes it an ideal destination for remote workers who are looking to escape cold weather.

5. Santa Teresa

Located in the Nicoya Peninsula, 150km west of the capital, and lying on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Santa Teresa offers a tropical paradise with its pristine beaches, lush jungle canopy, and sunshine all year round.

It also has excellent infrastructure including restaurants, cafes, shops, and transportation links to nearby towns.

Santa Teresa is a mecca for outdoor activities such as surfing, swimming, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more.

You can explore the Caribbean or Pacific sides of the peninsula with its many beaches and coves that are perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.

With its rich biodiversity, Santa Teresa is an ideal place for wildlife spotting and birdwatching too.

As a digital nomad or remote worker, there are plenty of cafes where you can work in comfortable settings while enjoying the spectacular views of the coast.

There are also plenty of cultural events and activities that are available all year round, such as the annual Santa Teresa Carnival.

Santa Teresa is considered by some to be one of the best places for remote workers to experience a different way of living.

Cost of Living

Costa Rica is becoming an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads, with many people taking advantage of the country’s low cost of living and excellent quality of life to make their dreams of working remotely from paradise come true.

When it comes to the cost of living in Costa Rica, there is a wide range of different prices depending on what you are looking for.

The overall cost of living in the country can be quite low compared to cities like San Francisco, London, Amsterdam, and New York, with many people reporting that they have been able to cut their expenses by more than half.

Prices for a one-bedroom apartment in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, start around $675 USD per month.

If you are willing to live in more rural areas outside of the city, prices drop even further; you could find a furnished one-bedroom apartment for as low as $400 USD per month.

Food can also be very affordable in Costa Rica; you could get a meal at a local restaurant for around $6-$10 USD, and groceries from the supermarket cost an average of around $125 USD per week.

Transportation costs are also relatively low; buses cost an average of $0.75 USD per ride, and taxis are quite affordable as well.

Overall, the cost of living in Costa Rica is quite low which makes it very attractive for digital nomads who want to enjoy a high quality of life while still keeping their expenses manageable.

Weather and When to Visit Costa Rica

With an average annual temperature of 25°C and over 270 days of sunshine per year, the weather in this tropical paradise is generally very pleasant.

During winter, temperatures are milder and range between 15°C and 26°C in most parts of the country.

The rain starts to decrease during this time, making it an ideal period for visitors who want to enjoy the beautiful outdoors without getting drenched.

On the Caribbean coast, temperatures are generally warmer than in other parts of Costa Rica, with an average of 27°C during the summer months.

The mountainous regions experience cooler temperatures, with an average annual temperature of 18-20°C.

Between December and April, it gets much drier and many people consider this the best time of year to visit Costa Rica. The attraction of warm and sunny days is understandably a draw for visitors

The rainy season, which lasts from May to November, is still a great time for travelers who don’t mind a bit of rain.

Overall, the weather in Costa Rica is generally mild year-round and suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Having visited Costa Rica both in the dry and wet seasons, we feel overall that whenever you come here, it is a great country and you will have a great experience.

It is so much cheaper and less crowded in the wet season that this provides benefits with the cheaper accommodation etc.

In the dry season, spending time on the beach though can of course also be fantastic.

5 Coworking Spaces We Like in Costa Rica

With an increase in digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and remote workers gravitating toward Costa Rica as a longer-term destination, a number of decent coworking spaces have developed.

You can use these coworking spaces below to get work done, connect with like-minded individuals, and to get inspired. Here are 5 coworking spaces in Costa Rica that we have tried and enjoyed.

1. WeWork Espacios, San José

Whilst San José does not tend to be a long-term location that digital nomads stay in, in Costa Rica, it can be a great place to get over jet lag when first arriving, or for relaxing before a long flight home.

In San José, ‘WeWork’ is a popular coworking choice, given they offer a modern office working space that is well-managed and offers all the facilities you are likely to need.

>> More on WeWork San José here

2. Sand and Surf Coworking, Tamarindo

This is quite a small coworking space but if you are planning to visit or stay in Tamarindo, then you will find this a decent option.

Vernessa & Tremont who run the coworking are extremely helpful and friendly and the WiFi speeds were great when we were there.

>> More on Sand and Surf here.

3. LoCoworking Costa Rica, Sámara

Also on the North-Western coastline of Costa Rica, and located in the town of Sámara by the coast, is the LoCoworking space.

This is a great space for meeting other digital nomads and you can expect a decent wifi connection there.

The beach is also really close to the coworking space and you are also provided free coffee as you work, and it’s available 24/7 (important if you work during European or Asian business hours).

>> Learn about LoCoworking here

4. Selina, Puerto Viejo

Selina is a brand that you might already be familiar with, given that they have coworking/hostels in several locations globally.

They are a strange brand in some respects in that they are kind of a combination of a backpackers hostel, combined with coworking space, whilst also providing things such as:

• daily yoga lessons
• a pool
• evening entertainment (such as live music)
• a bar

and they market themselves as being for digital nomads.

In Puerto Viejo, there is plenty of space to work outdoors (lots of tables) and decent WiFi.

You are also literally right beside the beach and the lively town center is only a 5 to 10 minutes walk.

>> More on Selina, Puerto Viejo

5. Selina Jaco

We also had a great time in Selina Jaco.

This is a great place for socializing and meeting and learning about what other digital nomads and remote workers are up to as they travel around Costa Rica.

You can get work done here and enjoy a good vibe at the same time.

>> More on Selina Jaco here

Internet Speed

The internet infrastructure of Costa Rica has seen significant improvements in recent years, with access to stable and reliable internet becoming more readily available.

Internet speeds range anywhere from 1Mbps to 100Mbps depending on the provider, location, and package purchased.

If you are looking for a more cost-effective internet solution, you will be pleased to know that several providers offer affordable pay-as-you-go packages.

These plans range from basic access of up to 2Mbps to more comprehensive packages with speeds of up to 50Mbps.

If you require faster internet access, you can find providers that offer faster speeds of up to 100Mbps. These packages, however, usually come with a higher price tag.

Food and What to Expect

Costa Rica is renowned for its food, which is comprised of unique flavors and creative recipes.

Traditional dishes include ‘Gallo Pinto‘, which is a combination of rice and beans.

Gallo Pinto is normally served with fresh vegetables and comes also with plantains (these are usually fried) and with corn tortillas.

Given its coastlines on both sides of the country, it won’t surprise you that seafood is also very popular in Costa Rica.

Seafood dishes include ‘Ceviche‘ and a range of seafood soups.

‘Tamal‘ is also quite popular and something we ate several times whilst in the country. Tamal is corn-based food that is usually served with sauces and various other ingredients.

There is also a variety of meat-based food such as chorizo, the traditional sausage of Costa Rica.

Costa Rican food is also known for its sweet and savory desserts, such as tres leches cake and flan.

Fruit is also an important part of Costa Rican food, with pineapple, mangoes, and papaya being some of the most popular fruits.

Overall, the food in Costa Rica is often fresh, flavorful, and varied. No matter what food you choose to sample during your visit, it is sure to be a delicious experience.

Health in Costa Rica

Just like with every country you visit as a remote worker, it is important to be well-informed about the health risks associated with Costa Rica, as well as how to prevent them.

1. Vaccinations

The chances are that you will already have previously had some of these vaccinations so you will NOT likely need to get all of these done.

You will though want to ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

It is worth checking the official advice from your home country, i.e. such as on the

• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – for U.S. travelers
• Gov.UK advice on Costa Rica (for British travelers)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all visitors get vaccinated for hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, and influenza.

It is also recommended that visitors have a tetanus shot if they are planning to hike or do any other outdoor activities in the jungle.

Mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects are common in Costa Rica, so it is important to take preventive measures to protect yourself from insect-borne illnesses.

Tip: I recommend buying insect repellent before leaving for Costa Rica, as it can be much cheaper to buy outside of Costa Rica.

Also, it is a good idea to have available long-sleeved shirts and trousers (pants if you are American).

2. Food and Water Safety

It is important to take precautions to ensure safe food and water consumption when visiting Costa Rica.

• Bottled water is a great idea (I’d avoid tap water)
• Avoid ice cubes in drinks
• If you are cooking, wash the fruit and veg well and cook them well (where appropriate)

3. Healthcare

Costa Rica has good medical services, but you should still make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage.

If you are staying in Costa Rica for an extended period, I strongly recommend ‘Saftey Wing’ travel medical insurance, because it is created with digital nomads in mind.

You might not be aware, for example, of the small print that comes with many travel insurance policies, that exclude you from compensation for medical care, if you stay in one country longer than 30 days.

Getting Around Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a popular destination for tourists looking to explore the Central American country’s stunning landscape, adventure activities, and wildlife.

However, getting around Costa Rica can be daunting if you do not know the transportation options available.

1) Limousine/Mini Bus with Driver

Our 1st preferred option is to just pay for a limousine-style service that takes you door-to-door.

For this reason, we always use Easytoride to take us from A to B, when we are doing a long-distance trip.

This is more expensive than using a local bus but it is a lot faster and more comfortable and you can get picked up from wherever you need to.

2) By Bus or Coach

Traveling around Costa Rica by bus/coach is one of the most popular ways for foreigners given the extremely cheap cost of this form of travel.

It’s a great way to see the scenery of this stunning country (preferably from a window seat) and as long as you book in advance and reserve a seat, it’s not a bad option.

There are also minivans that offer more direct routes than buses, but they do not run on regular schedules.

3) Car Rental Hire

Many digital nomads and tourists though do prefer to rent or hire a car or mini-van, and to enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica at their own pace.

Renting a vehicle will free you up to really appreciate this country.

Also, certain attractions or activities may require a car for access or transport; making sure you have one on hand ensures that you don’t miss out on any of the fun!

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Costa Rica Travel – Recommended Resources

I have been traveling for many years and have come to use a lot of travel sites and resources for booking my trips. They represent the companies that I often use and have served me well and they are the first ones I use when booking new trips.

• Booking.com – they tend to provide very competitive prices and the reviews are easy to view, and they normally have something available wherever in the world I am going to. They also now provide airport transfers, local attractions, and flights.
• Safety Wing Travel Insurance – Safety Wing has become one of the leaders in travel insurance, especially for remote workers and digital nomads as they provide cover that includes for long-term stays.
• Get Your Guide – is the site on which I normally book tours (I love to visit the local sports stadia, aquarium, royal palace, and some cultural attractions). With get Your Guide they have excellent customer support and have a wide range of tours.

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