Jacó, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#1908
,
Nomad Score:
69%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to larger Costa Rican cities; cheaper than San José but more expensive than rural areas.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but rising due to tourism and digital nomad demand, especially for beachfront properties.
🍎 Food & Groceries
75%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; imported goods and dining out can be moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public buses are cheap and frequent; taxis and ride-shares are affordable for short distances.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
68%
Weight: 15
Plenty of budget-friendly entertainment options like beach activities, bars, and local events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available but can be pricier than average due to tourist demand.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation rates.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
72%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-50 Mbps; reliable in most cafes and coworking spaces but occasional outages.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
65%
Weight: 40
A few coworking spaces exist but limited compared to larger cities; growing slowly.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with decent speeds, popular among digital nomads.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
67%
Weight: 100
Jacó is a known spot for digital nomads but less crowded than places like Tamarindo.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Relaxed beach town vibe supports a healthy work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
76%
Weight: 15
Good air quality and natural surroundings, though some areas affected by tourism development.
🧼 Cleanliness
65%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some public areas can be littered, especially during high tourist season.
🗨️ Language Barrier
62%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; moderate English spoken in tourist and nomad areas.
💨 Air Quality
77%
Weight: 15
Generally good due to coastal location and greenery.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
68%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; better facilities in San José.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
81%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to North America and Europe.
🏥 Healthcare
70%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious cases require travel to larger cities.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
89%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; wet season from May to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78%
Weight: 10
Close to beaches, forests, and national parks.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Many accommodations and cafes have AC, but not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mostly wet and dry seasons.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
75%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with festivals and traditional Costa Rican lifestyle.
🌃 Nightlife
73%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars, clubs, and beach parties.
🏞️ 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 exchange opportunities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
80%
Weight: 10
Many tours available including surfing, zip-lining, and wildlife excursions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly focused on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local and international cuisine, with emphasis on fresh seafood.
🧠 Yoga Studios
72%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios catering to tourists and locals.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and outdoor fitness options available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic options widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
83%
Weight: 20
GMT-6, convenient for North and South American time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
60%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occur occasionally.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most nomads work for foreign companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50%
Weight: 20
Growing but still limited local freelance community.
🏢 Coworking Quality
62%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with essential amenities; not high-end.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
45%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem in Jacó itself.
💳 Local Payment Services
68%
Weight: 10
Cash is common; credit cards widely accepted; mobile payments growing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption but increasing interest among younger population.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport (~1.5 hours away).
🚇 Public Transit
67%
Weight: 20
Reliable bus services connect Jacó to other cities.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Town center is walkable; some areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing available but less frequent than in big cities.
🚲 Cycling
58%
Weight: 10
Limited dedicated cycling infrastructure; hilly terrain.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
70%
Weight: 15
Frequent buses and shuttles to San José and other coastal towns.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
73%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are common and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
79%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage throughout the town and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
75%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity supply with occasional outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
70%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; 90-day stay common without special visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Costa Rica has moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax benefits.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
85%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Stable democracy with low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires residency or significant documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; process can be slow for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
75%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with favorable terms since 2021.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community with growing infrastructure for remote workers.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups but no large-scale regular events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Moderate presence on social media and nomad forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
67%
Weight: 100
Generally safe but petty crime can occur, especially in tourist areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
72%
Weight: 50
Relatively safe and welcoming for female travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with some cultural diversity.