Forum
Analytics
Escazú, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#1696
,
Nomad Score:
68%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major cities, but higher than many parts of Costa Rica due to its expat popularity and upscale amenities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
54%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are above average for Costa Rica, especially for furnished apartments and houses in gated communities.
🍎 Food & Groceries
68%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable produce, but imported goods and dining out in Escazú tend to be pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
73%
Weight: 20
Public transport is cheap but limited; many rely on ride-sharing or personal vehicles, which increases costs.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but tend to be mid to high priced, reflecting the area's affluent demographic.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Gyms and fitness centers are available with moderate pricing, often including modern facilities.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation, supported by a stable economy.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
78%
Weight: 100
Good fiber-optic internet widely available with speeds suitable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
62%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but fewer than in larger cities; quality varies.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
74%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer reliable WiFi and comfortable environments for working.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
A growing number of cafes cater to digital nomads with power outlets and good internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Escazú is increasingly popular among digital nomads but less so than San José or Tamarindo.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
81%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on relaxed lifestyle with access to nature and leisure activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Generally good air and water quality with green surroundings.
🧼 Cleanliness
72%
Weight: 10
Clean streets and public areas, especially in residential and commercial zones.
🗨️ Language Barrier
58%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is spoken in tourist and expat areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
77%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to green spaces and low industrial pollution.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Good schools and family amenities, but cost of living may be high for some families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
75%
Weight: 20
High-quality private healthcare facilities available nearby.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to US standards but more expensive than public options.
🏥 Healthcare
73%
Weight: 20
Access to both public and private healthcare with good standards.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
84%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms; generally manageable.
🏞️ Green Spaces
80%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, gardens, and proximity to natural reserves.
❄️ Air Conditioning
71%
Weight: 15
Many accommodations and public places have air conditioning, though not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter in residential areas but busier commercial zones can be noisy.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
76%
Weight: 20
Rich Costa Rican culture with local festivals and a growing international community.
🌃 Nightlife
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife with bars and restaurants; less vibrant than larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, beaches, and natural parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
64%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish language schools and informal learning opportunities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
73%
Weight: 10
Good availability of eco-tours, cultural experiences, and adventure activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options compared to larger urban centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options including local and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
72%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios catering to locals and expats.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
68%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers with modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
83%
Weight: 20
GMT-6 time zone aligns well with North American business hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
60%
Weight: 25
Growing expat and digital nomad community but still limited formal networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55%
Weight: 20
Small but growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces.
🏢 Coworking Quality
63%
Weight: 30
Decent coworking spaces with necessary amenities but fewer options than major hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
48%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but still nascent compared to larger cities.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Standard banking and mobile payment options available but less advanced than in developed countries.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but limited mainstream adoption.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
74%
Weight: 30
Close to Juan Santamaría International Airport with good regional and international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
45%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; mostly buses with infrequent schedules.
🚶 Walkability
58%
Weight: 20
Walkable in some neighborhoods but generally car-dependent.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services widely available.
🚲 Cycling
42%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and hilly terrain reduce cycling practicality.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good bus connections to other cities; domestic flights available.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Some scooter and bike rentals available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
78%
Weight: 20
Reliable 4G coverage with expanding 5G in urban areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with no significant restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
75%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity supply with occasional outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
68%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; digital nomad visa options improving.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; some benefits for foreign residents but complex regulations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
86%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
82%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
57%
Weight: 15
Moderate difficulty; requires local documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process is straightforward but can be slow and paperwork-heavy.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
65%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with reasonable requirements.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Friendly environment with growing infrastructure for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events but less frequent than in larger hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for digital nomads in Costa Rica.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
69%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime but petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Relatively safe and welcoming for female travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance with a diverse expat community.