Essentials
- City
- Escazú, San José Province, Costa Rica
- Population
- Approximately 70,000
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber optic widely available, averaging 100-200 Mbps (Liberty, Telecable)
- Currency & Banking
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC); 1 USD ≈ 515 CRC. US Dollars are widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Generally safe to drink in Escazú, though many expats use filters for taste.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Liberty, Claro, and kōlbi. Prepaid SIMs cost ~$2; 10GB data plans approx. $15.
- Banking for Expats
- BAC Credomatic (best app), Scotiabank, and Banco Nacional. High card acceptance.
- Accommodation
- Luxury condos and gated communities (apartamentos). Airbnb and Encuentra24 are main sources.
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly cashless. Contactless 'Sinpe Móvil' and credit cards accepted almost everywhere.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO offer studios from $1,200/month; Luxury condos at Avenida Escazú start at $2,500.
- Budget Accommodation
- Fauna Luxury Hostel (Studio rooms approx. $45/night) provides a blend of social and work space.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Avenida Escazú or Multiplaza area for shopping, dining, and safety.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Rafael de Escazú for walkability, or Trejos Montealegre for a quieter, residential feel.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- V07 (Escazú Village) - Monthly hot desk approx. $225; WeWork (CBT) - Monthly approx. $250.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bulali (Avenida Escazú) - Excellent WiFi and artisanal food; Starbucks (Los Laureles) - Consistent connection.
- Networking Events
- Monthly 'Expats in Costa Rica' mixers at Sheraton Hotel Rooftop; Tech events via Meetup.com at Texas Tech University (Escazú).
- Social Events for Expats
- San José Expats Facebook Group organized outings; Trivia nights at Tap House (Costa Rica Town Center).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (most reliable) and Didi. Official red taxis (Fecotaxi) are available but pricier.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- OmniBikes (app-based) sporadically available; private rentals like Bike Rental CR in San José.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Hermosa or Jacó (Central Pacific) - approx. 1.5 to 2 hours drive via Route 27.
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (flying out of SJO or Pavas Tobías Bolaños Airport).
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, Copa Airlines, and United Airlines via Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO).
- Highway Access
- Direct access to Route 27 (Autopista del Sol) connecting San José to the Pacific Coast.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- The Incofer Train Station (Pavas/Sabana stop) connects to downtown San José and Heredia.
- Public Transport Passes
- Buses use cash or 'Electronic Payment' cards (rarely used by foreigners); fare Escazú-SJ is ~500 CRC ($1).
- Regional Travel
- Interbus or Tropical Tours Shuttles for tourist routes; Tracopa for southern regional bus travel.
Other Services and Amenities
- Language Classes
- Spanish by the Sea (San Rafael); Coastal Spanish Institute.
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (API service); Aeropost (for importing from USA).
- Tech Repair Services
- iCon (Apple Premium Reseller) in Multiplaza Escazú.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tenis de Mesa Escazú (Local municipal sports committee programs).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Texas Tech University Costa Rica Library (Avenida Escazú).
- Community Centers
- Country Day School community events; Escazú Municipal Gym.
- Gaming Lounges
- Infinity Gaming Center (Avenida Escazú) - high-end PCs and consoles.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino White House (San Rafael de Escazú); Sheraton Casino.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital CIMA Escazú - JCI accredited, world-class private healthcare facility.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Downtown Yoga (Escazú Village) - Classes approx. $15 drop-in; Yoga Mandir (nearby San Pedro/San Rafael).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- MultiSpa (Escazú) - Premium gym with pool, ~$90/month; World Gym (San Rafael) - Large facility, ~$75/month.
- Laundry Services
- DryClean USA (Multiplaza) or Lavendería Escazú (approx. $3 per kilo for wash/dry/fold).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Rappi are the dominant services in Escazú.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto (breakfast) at Soda Tapia; Chifrijo at La Posada de las Brujas.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- LuvBurger (Escazú Village) - Plant-based burgers; Mantras Veggie Café (nearby Rohrmoser).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Moyo (Frozen Yogurt) or Chez Christophe (Pastries/Bakery) in San Rafael.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Feria del Agricultor (Escazú Farmers Market) on Saturdays in the center for fresh produce.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Unimart.com (Domestic Amazon equivalent); Amazon.com imports via Aeropost or JetBox.
- Grocery Delivery
- Auto Mercado (App/Website) - High-end selection; Walmart (available via UberEats).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Avenida Escazú for upscale lounges; Jazz Café (Escazú) for live music.
- Local Brewery
- Costa Rica Beer Factory (Escazú Village) or Treintaycinco (distributed widely).
- Wine Bars
- Bacchus (Santa Ana/Escazú border) - located in a historic building; Vinum Lounge.
- Street Food Stalls
- Occasional food trucks at El Mercadito (Escazú) or stalls at the weekly Farmers Market.
- Popular International Cuisine
- P.F. Chang's (Avenida Escazú), Taj Mahal (Indian - Alto de las Palomas), Filippo (Italian).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The 'Old' Escazú Church (Parroquia San Miguel Arcángel); Cerros de Escazú.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Costa Rican Art (La Sabana) - 10 mins away; Galería 11-12 (Escazú).
- Historical Sites
- The traditional Adobe houses in Escazú Centro; National Theatre (15 mins away in San José).
- Religious Sites
- San Antonio de Escazú Church - offering stunning views of the Central Valley.
- Annual Events
- Día del Boyero (Oxcart Parade) in San Antonio de Escazú (2nd Sunday of March).
- Cultural Districts
- Escazú Centro for folklore; Avenida Escazú for modern urban culture.
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Espressivo (Momentum Pinares - 20 mins away) or National Theatre nearby.
- Local Markets
- Feria del Agricultor de Escazú (Saturdays 6 AM - 1 PM).
- Music Scene
- Jazz Café Escazú (frequent international and local jazz/blues/rock performers).
- Street Art
- Murals depicting 'La Siguanaba' and local myths in the San Antonio district.
- Cooking Classes
- Tico Cooking Classes (custom sessions available via local soda chefs).
- Art Galleries
- Hidden Garden Art Gallery (nearby); Galería Klaus Steinmetz Art Contemporary.
- Historic Buildings
- The Municipal Palacio of Escazú; Bacchus Restaurant (housed in a 100-year-old building).
- Local Heritage
- Known as 'The City of Witches' (La Ciudad de las Brujas) based on local colonial legends.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cerros de Escazú (Hiking trails to ‘Pico Blanco’); Parque la Sabana (The Central Park of CR).
- National Parks Nearby
- Poás Volcano National Park (1.5 hours); Braulio Carrillo National Park (1 hour).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The climb to San Antonio de Escazú is popular with road cyclists.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Tiquicia (Restaurant viewpoint) - best panoramic view of the Central Valley light show at night.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lower slopes of Cerros de Escazú for Motmots and Tanagers.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private mountain rentals in San Antonio upper heights; not allowed in public parks.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $126,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $85,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $169,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,750 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $113,750)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,400 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $216,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $144,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Graduated scale from 5% to 30% depending on gross income (Standard approx. 30%).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% standard rate.
- Tax System
- Territorial Tax System (Income earned outside CR is generally not taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for individuals.
- VAT
- 13% (Value Added Tax / IVA).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No, Costa Rica currently does not have strict CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- Annual 0.25% of the registered property value; Luxury Tax applies to homes over ~$250k.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% Transfer Tax + approx. 1% in legal/notary fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa (Law 10,008): 0% income tax on foreign-sourced income for 1 year (extendable).