Atenas, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#924
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to larger Costa Rican cities; daily expenses are reasonable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are lower than San Jose but can vary; options include apartments and houses with good value.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer fresh produce at good prices; imported goods are pricier but overall affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
70%
Weight: 20
Public transportation is cheap but limited; many rely on scooters or cars, which can increase costs.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
63%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment options; local events and nature activities are affordable.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gyms available but fewer than in bigger cities; membership fees are moderate.
💱 Currency Stability
75%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation, but subject to regional economic fluctuations.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-50 Mbps; reliable but occasional outages in rural areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces in Atenas; digital nomads often work from cafes or nearby cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer decent WiFi and comfortable environments for remote work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
67%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but limited compared to larger hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
50%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination; more popular among retirees and expats.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with emphasis on nature and community supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Clean air, lush greenery, and low pollution contribute to excellent environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
76%
Weight: 10
Generally clean town with good waste management; some rural areas less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
53%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English spoken in tourist and expat circles but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Very good air quality due to rural setting and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
73%
Weight: 25
Quiet town with good schools and outdoor activities suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
70%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare facilities available; for specialized care, travel to San Jose is common.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable; private clinics cost more but still reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
74%
Weight: 20
Adequate for minor issues; serious medical needs require travel to larger cities.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
85%
Weight: 80
Warm tropical climate with a dry season; comfortable temperatures year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional heavy rains; low hurricane risk.
🏞️ Green Spaces
91%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, gardens, and proximity to forests and mountains.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Not widespread; many rely on natural ventilation due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
35%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons but little temperature variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
80%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution; peaceful environment conducive to work and relaxation.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich Costa Rican culture with local festivals and strong community traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
42%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and social gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
93%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, birdwatching, and natural parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish schools and informal language exchanges available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Good variety of eco-tours, coffee plantation visits, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
48%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment; some cafes and community centers offer events.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Good local cuisine with fresh ingredients; fewer international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
63%
Weight: 10
A few yoga studios and wellness centers catering to expats and locals.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
58%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms available; limited variety of fitness classes.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables; organic markets present.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
80%
Weight: 20
Central Standard Time (UTC-6) aligns well with North American business hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occasionally organized.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
47%
Weight: 20
Limited local freelance community; growing interest among expats.
🏢 Coworking Quality
52%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; not comparable to major hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
38%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity; more prevalent in San Jose.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Basic banking and payment services available; limited fintech innovation.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; some interest among expats but infrastructure is limited.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport (~40 mins away).
🚇 Public Transit
48%
Weight: 20
Limited local public transit; buses connect to nearby towns but infrequent.
🚶 Walkability
62%
Weight: 20
Town center is walkable; outskirts require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
50%
Weight: 15
Uber operates but coverage is limited compared to larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Some cycling possible but hilly terrain and limited bike lanes reduce appeal.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect to San Jose and other cities; travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
57%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals available; bike rentals less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town; rural areas may have spotty signal.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no known restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
75%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity supply with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and some public spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
72%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; 90-day stay with possible extensions.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Costa Rica has moderate tax rates; digital nomads should consult tax advisors.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
88%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable democracy with low political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires documentation and local residency.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; process can be slow but manageable.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
68%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with reasonable requirements.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
63%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness and infrastructure but still developing compared to top nomad hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
45%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; community is small and informal.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
52%
Weight: 20
Limited online groups focused on Atenas; broader Costa Rica groups more active.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
74%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Safe for women travelers; respectful local culture but some caution advised at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; diverse expat community fosters inclusivity.