Escazú, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#1696
,
Nomad Score:
68%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
62%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to other Central American cities; more expensive than rural areas but cheaper than major global cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are higher than average for Costa Rica due to Escazú's upscale reputation, but still affordable compared to North American standards.
🍎 Food & Groceries
65%
Weight: 40
Good availability of local and imported goods; dining out ranges from affordable local eateries to pricier international restaurants.
🚌 Transportation Cost
74%
Weight: 20
Public transportation is inexpensive; taxis and ride-sharing are affordable but can add up for frequent use.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate entertainment costs with options ranging from local events to upscale venues.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
68%
Weight: 10
Gyms are reasonably priced, with several modern facilities available.
💱 Currency Stability
71%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation, but some vulnerability to global economic shifts.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Reliable high-speed internet with fiber-optic connections common in Escazú; suitable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
67%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, though fewer than in larger cities; quality is generally good.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, making it easy to work remotely in comfortable environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
A good number of cafes cater to digital nomads with power outlets and reliable internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
63%
Weight: 100
Growing but still modest digital nomad community compared to San José or Tamarindo.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
81%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on relaxed lifestyle and outdoor activities supports excellent work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
84%
Weight: 15
Clean air and green surroundings with good environmental policies in place.
🧼 Cleanliness
78%
Weight: 10
Generally clean urban environment, especially in residential and commercial areas.
🗨️ Language Barrier
59%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is spoken in tourist and expat areas but less so elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
82%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to green spaces and limited heavy industry.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
64%
Weight: 25
Good schools and family activities but limited international schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
76%
Weight: 20
High-quality private healthcare facilities available; public healthcare is decent but less reliable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to the US and Europe; public healthcare is very low cost.
🏥 Healthcare
73%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is solid with access to modern medical services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
87%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and a distinct dry season; generally pleasant for outdoor activities.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional heavy rains causing floods or landslides.
🏞️ Green Spaces
85%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and natural areas nearby, contributing to a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
❄️ Air Conditioning
72%
Weight: 15
Many accommodations and public places have air conditioning, though not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
31%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variation due to tropical climate; mainly dry and rainy seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter residential areas but some traffic noise in central zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with festivals, arts, and a welcoming community.
🌃 Nightlife
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife options; more subdued compared to larger cities but some bars and clubs available.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to mountains, beaches, and rainforests for hiking, surfing, and other activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish language schools and informal learning opportunities available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78%
Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, cultural experiences, and adventure activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
52%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly focused on dining and small cultural venues.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with local Costa Rican cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
71%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers catering to health-conscious visitors.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
69%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms and fitness centers with modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and health-focused eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
78%
Weight: 20
Central Standard Time (UTC-6) aligns well with North American business hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
62%
Weight: 25
Growing expat and digital nomad community offers networking events but still developing.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55%
Weight: 20
Small but emerging freelance community supported by coworking spaces.
🏢 Coworking Quality
68%
Weight: 30
Good quality coworking spaces with reliable internet and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
53%
Weight: 15
Modest startup ecosystem; more activity in San José but growing interest in Escazú.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Basic digital payment options available; cash still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
47%
Weight: 15
Limited mainstream adoption but some niche interest among tech-savvy expats.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
74%
Weight: 30
Close to Juan Santamaría International Airport with good connectivity to North America and Latin America.
🚇 Public Transit
55%
Weight: 20
Public buses are available but can be slow and infrequent; limited metro options.
🚶 Walkability
58%
Weight: 20
Moderate walkability in central areas; suburban layout limits pedestrian access in some parts.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services operate reliably.
🚲 Cycling
50%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good bus connections to other cities; private shuttles also common.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
53%
Weight: 10
Some rental options available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
76%
Weight: 20
Strong mobile coverage with 4G widely available; 5G rollout in progress.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no significant restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
72%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity supply with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public spaces but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
68%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; digital nomad visa options improving but still limited.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; some benefits for foreign residents but complex regulations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
83%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
57%
Weight: 15
Banking requires documentation and can be bureaucratic; easier with residency.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process is straightforward but can be slow due to paperwork.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
50%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica introduced a digital nomad visa but with strict requirements and limited awareness.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Generally welcoming to nomads with growing infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events; community still developing.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Moderate online presence with active Facebook groups and forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
69%
Weight: 100
Relatively safe with low violent crime but petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; diverse but some social challenges remain.