Manuel Antonio Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
15% standard rate |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000 for luxury ocean view studio) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 in inland Quepos neighborhoods) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $252,000 near main road) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000 in Naranjito area) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $304,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
Progressive up to 30%; Small businesses may pay 5-20% |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Territorial tax system (Only income earned in Costa Rica is taxed) |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
25% for individuals |
| 🧾 VAT |
13% (locally known as IVA) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
No, Costa Rica generally does not have CFC rules |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
0.25% of the registered value annually |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
1.5% transfer tax plus legal fees (approx. 3-4% total) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Law 22215: 0% income tax on foreign-earned income and duty-free import of equipment |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 4,000 residents |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
High-speed fiber optic available; average 50-100 Mbps in managed accommodations |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 USD ≈ 515 CRC (Costa Rican Colón), 1 EUR ≈ 560 CRC; USD accepted widely |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Generally drinkable, but most nomads prefer filtered/bottled water for taste |
| 🔌 Power |
120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Liberty (formerly Movistar) and Claro; Liberty offers 5GB for approx. $10 USD |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
BNCR (Banco Nacional), BCR (Banco de Costa Rica); Revolut works at most ATMs |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Boutique hotels, jungle villas, and eco-lodges; Average $1,500 - $3,000/month for quality rentals |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, major credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) accepted in most restaurants and shops |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, VRBO, and local agencies like 2Costa Rica Real Estate |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Selina Manuel Antonio (Dorms from $25/night, Private rooms from $80/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Playa Manuel Antonio/National Park entrance for beach proximity |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Valle Pura Vida or the upper main road (cliffs) for better views and stable fiber optic |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Selina Manuel Antonio Cowork (Daily pass: $15, Monthly: $250; features dedicated desks and phone booths) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Emilio’s Café (High-speed Wi-Fi, ocean views, excellent coffee and pastries) |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Quepos/Manuel Antonio Digital Nomads Facebook Group meetups; typically Fridays at Marina Pez Vela |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Language exchange nights at Selina; Marina Pez Vela movie nights |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Uber (available but contentious with local taxis) and official Red Taxis |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Jolly Roger Rentals (Scooters approx. $45/day) |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Playa Biesanz (Hidden cove, calm waters, good for swimming) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Sansa Airlines (Flying to Quepos Airport - XQP) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) served by United, American, Iberia |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Route 34 (Costanera Sur) connects to San José and Uvita |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
No trains; Main Bus Terminal in Quepos (Buses to San José for approx. $9) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Manuel Antonio-Quepos green shuttle ($0.60 per ride, cash only) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Tracopa Bus for long-distance; Interbus shared shuttles for tourist routes |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Hospital Metropolitano (Marina Pez Vela, Quepos) for private care; Hospital Max Terán Valls (Public) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Holistic Families Yoga & Wellness (Drop-in class approx. $15) |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Mucho Musculo Gym in Quepos (Monthly pass approx. $40) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Lavanderia El Pueblo (Approx. $2 per kg) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
UberEats is limited; WhatsApp ordering is common for local restaurants |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Chifrijo (Rice, beans, pork rinds, avocado, and pico de gallo) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Falafel Bar (Fresh salads, hummus, and pita; approx. $12-15 per meal) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Gelatería Amorosi (Artisan Italian gelato near the beach) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Super Jordix and the Quepos Farmers Market (Feria) on Fridays/Saturdays |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Unimart.com (Costa Rican Amazon alternative); Amazon delivers via Miami forwarding services |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Super San José offers local delivery via WhatsApp requests |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
The main road 'climb'—notably El Avion and many bars near Selina |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Fuego Brew Co. (Nearby in Dominical, but beers served at most local upscale bars) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
En陽 (En-Yo) at Tulemar for upscale wine pairings |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Quepos Malecon stalls (skewered meats 'pinchos' and shaved ice 'copos') |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Agua Azul (Seafood and American-influenced contemporary cuisine) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Manuel Antonio National Park (Famous for biodiversity and white sand beaches) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
The Captain's Gallery (Local art and photography in Quepos) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
El Avion (A converted Fairchild C-123 cargo plane with Iran-Contra history) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción de María (Quepos center) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Festival del Mar (Quepos, February); Independence Day (September 15) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Marina Pez Vela (Modern hub for shopping, dining, and yacht culture) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Teatro de Quepos (Occasional local performances) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Quepos Feria (Friday afternoons/Saturdays) for fresh produce and crafts |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Live Latin music at Barba Roja on sunset sessions |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Mural cycle at the Quepos marina and surrounding town walls |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Costa Rica Curry House classes (Learn to make Caribbean-style Tico dishes) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Gabbie's Fine Art Gallery (Manuel Antonio main road) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
The old Banana Company housing units in Quepos (United Fruit Company era) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The 'Pura Vida' lifestyle - a focus on nature, family, and slow living |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Rainmaker Conservation Project (Suspension bridges and waterfalls 30 mins north) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Marino Ballena National Park (1 hour drive south to Uvita) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The trails within Manuel Antonio National Park (Sendero Perezoso) |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
The 'Mirador' on the road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Esquipulas Rainforest (Highland birds and toucans) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Playa El Rey (Remote beach south of the park; permits/caution required) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Correos de Costa Rica (Quepos branch); DHL Express |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Soporte Técnico Quepos (Laptops and smartphones) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Selina Manuel Antonio common area |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
COSI (Costa Rica Spanish Institute) Manuel Antonio |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Biblioteca Pública de Quepos |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
PAWS (Pets of Aguirre Welfare Shelter) for volunteering |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Mostly restricted to internet cafes in Quepos center |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Best Western Hotel Kamuk Casino (Quepos) |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING MANUEL ANTONIO