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Jacó, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#1908
,
Nomad Score:
69%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major cities, though slightly higher than rural Costa Rica due to tourism.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
64%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but can spike during high tourist seasons.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; imported goods are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
79%
Weight: 20
Public buses are cheap; taxis and ride-shares moderately priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
67%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are varied but can be costly in tourist hotspots.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
62%
Weight: 10
Gyms available but membership fees are above average for the region.
💱 Currency Stability
75%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation rates.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
73%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-50 Mbps; fiber available in some areas but not widespread.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
60%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist, mostly small and concentrated in central Jacó.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
74%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent connectivity.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but limited compared to larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination for digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
80%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to beaches and nature supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
85%
Weight: 15
Clean beaches and natural surroundings with good environmental awareness.
🧼 Cleanliness
70%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas can be affected by tourist influx.
🗨️ Language Barrier
55%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English spoken in tourist areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
83%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to coastal location and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
67%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families with outdoor activities but limited schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
72%
Weight: 20
Decent healthcare facilities nearby; private clinics offer good services.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are affordable compared to North America and Europe.
🏥 Healthcare
76%
Weight: 20
Accessible healthcare with a mix of public and private options.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
87%
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.
🏞️ Green Spaces
84%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and forested areas nearby.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Many accommodations and cafes have AC, but not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variation; mostly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
58%
Weight: 10
Noise can be an issue in central tourist areas, especially at night.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich Costa Rican culture with local festivals and traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
65%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars and clubs, but smaller scale than big cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, surfing, hiking, and wildlife.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish schools and informal language exchanges available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Wide range of tours including surfing, wildlife, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly bars and small venues.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local and international cuisine, with fresh seafood.
🧠 Yoga Studios
67%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios catering to tourists and locals.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and outdoor fitness options available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables widely available; organic options growing.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
89%
Weight: 20
GMT-6 timezone aligns well with North and Central America.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occasionally.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50%
Weight: 20
Growing but still nascent freelance community.
🏢 Coworking Quality
57%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with essential amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
42%
Weight: 15
Limited startup activity locally; more active in San José.
💳 Local Payment Services
65%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and cards widely accepted; cash still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest but limited infrastructure for crypto use.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
53%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport (~1.5 hours away).
🚇 Public Transit
58%
Weight: 20
Limited local public transit; buses connect to nearby towns.
🚶 Walkability
69%
Weight: 20
Central Jacó is walkable; outskirts require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
64%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing available but coverage is spotty.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Some cycling possible but limited dedicated infrastructure.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
62%
Weight: 15
Buses and shuttles connect Jacó to major cities and airports.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are common and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
76%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPNs work reliably with no known restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
78%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
70%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa easy to obtain; digital nomad visa available with some requirements.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; some benefits for foreign residents.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
88%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Can be bureaucratic and requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process is straightforward but can be slow and paperwork-heavy.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
72%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with reasonable requirements.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
68%
Weight: 50
Growing infrastructure and community but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
54%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups but no large-scale regular events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
61%
Weight: 20
Moderate presence on social media and nomad forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
69%
Weight: 100
Generally safe but petty crime can occur, especially in tourist areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Relatively safe and welcoming for female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
73%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with some cultural diversity.