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La Fortuna, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#930 ,

Nomad Score: 63%

Essentials

🏙️ City La Fortuna is a small town located near Arenal Volcano, known for its beautiful landscapes, hot springs, and adventure activities.
👥 Population Approximately 20,000 residents
💻 Internet Speed Average of 30 Mbps
💸 Currency & Banking 1 USD ≈ 600 CRC; ATMs widely available, and major credit cards commonly accepted.
🚰 Tap Water Generally drinkable, but filtered water is recommended.
🔌 Power 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
📶 SIM Card Providers include Kolbi and Claro, offering good coverage.
💳 Banking for Expats Popular banks include Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica; digital banks like Revolut also accepted.
🛌 Accommodation Options range from hotels to hostels and Airbnb rentals.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are accepted widely at many establishments.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb, Vrbo, and local rental agencies.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel La Fortuna, with dorms starting around $15 per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The downtown area near Arenal Lake, close to various attractions.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Residential areas such as El Castillo or nearby towns like Manoa for quieter settings.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Selina La Fortuna, a popular choice with good facilities.
Best Cafe for Work Cafecito, known for its reliable Wi-Fi and good coffee.
💼 Networking Events Monthly meetups organized by local expat groups and coworking spaces.
🥂 Social Events for Expats La Fortuna Expat Community on Facebook for local gatherings.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber operates in La Fortuna, providing convenient transport.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Local shops like Arenal Adventure offer bike and scooter rentals.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Jacó Beach, approximately 2.5 hours away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Sansa and Nature Air for short domestic flights.
✈️ Top International Airline Copa Airlines and American Airlines serve Juan Santamaría International Airport.
🛣️ Highway Access Route 142 connects La Fortuna to San José and other major cities.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub There is limited train service; buses are the primary transit option.
🚍 Public Transport Passes No specific public transport passes; buses operate on a pay-as-you-go basis.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses to San José and Monteverde regularly available.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Hospital La Fortuna, providing basic healthcare services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Spirit of Aloha and Arenal Yoga offer classes and wellness retreats.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Arenal Fitness Center offers basic gym facilities.
🧺 Laundry Services Lavandería La Fortuna provides washing and drying services.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Uber Eats is popular for food delivery in the area.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Casado, a traditional dish with rice, beans, salad, and meat.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options The Treehouse Restaurant offers various vegan dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots La Fortuna Bakery, known for its pastries and coffee.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Local markets, such as the Feria del Agricultor, for fresh produce.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Online shopping via Amazon and local sites like OLX.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Super La Fortuna offers online shopping and delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Main street has several bars like Lava Lounge for nightlife.
🍻 Local Brewery Costa Rica Craft Brewing Company, offering local beer.
🍷 Wine Bars Bar La Gata, a cozy spot for drinks.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors near the park offer snacks like churros and ceviche.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Pizza and pasta at La Fornace, a local favorite.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna Waterfall.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Arenal Eco Zoo provides insight into local wildlife.
🏰 Historical Sites The old Arenal Volcano lookout point offers historical context and beautiful views.
🕍 Religious Sites Iglesia de La Fortuna, a charming local church.
🎉 Annual Events Arenal Volcano Festival celebrated in August.
🎨 Cultural Districts Downtown La Fortuna features local artisan shops.
🎭 Theater Venues Local festivals often held at Parque Central.
🛍️ Local Markets Feria del Agricultor market open every Saturday.
🎼 Music Scene Live music events at various local bars.
🎨 Street Art Murals around downtown La Fortuna showcasing local culture.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Classes offered by Arenal Culinary School.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Local artists displayed at various coffee shops.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Old colonial homes in downtown La Fortuna.
🏴 Local Heritage Cultural traditions surrounding the Arenal Volcano and indigenous influences.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes La Fortuna is surrounded by lush rainforests and rivers for hiking and exploring.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Arenal Volcano National Park and Tenorio National Park are nearby.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Mountain biking trails and nature paths through the rainforest.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Arenal Observatory Lodge offers stunning views of the volcano.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Arenal Volcano National Park is renowned for birdwatching, including toucans and sloths.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated areas at local campsites like Volcano Lodge.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Correos de Costa Rica for shipping services.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local shops offer phone and computer repairs, such as Arenal Tech.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Some local parks have tables for public use.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Spanish classes available at Centro de Idiomas La Fortuna.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Local community center has a small library.
🏘️ Community Centers The Community Center offers various recreational activities and workshops.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Limited availability; most gaming done at home or coffee shops.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls No major casinos; gambling is generally small-scale and regulated.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $102,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $78,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $128,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $112,000)
💼 Corporate Tax 30% standard corporate tax.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 15% rate applied to dividends.
🏦 Tax System Residents are taxed on Costa Rican-source income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 25%
🧾 VAT Standard VAT rate is 13%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, with implications for foreign income.
🏠 Property Tax 1.25% annual property tax based on assessed value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax 2.5% standard rate on property transactions.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Costa Rica offers various benefits for temporary residents, including no capital gains tax for certain investments.

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