Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#2068
,
Nomad Score:
63%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living; more affordable than San José but pricier than rural areas due to tourism.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
53%
Weight: 80
Vacation rental prices are elevated during high season; long-term rentals are more reasonable but still above average for Costa Rica.
🍎 Food & Groceries
67%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; imported goods and dining out can be moderately expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
74%
Weight: 20
Public buses are cheap; taxis and shuttles are moderately priced but necessary due to limited public transit.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Tourist activities like national park entry and tours are moderately priced; nightlife is limited but affordable.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
58%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available but limited; monthly fees are moderate compared to urban centers.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation rates.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
64%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-30 Mbps; reliable in most accommodations but occasional outages occur.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
42%
Weight: 40
Few dedicated coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or remote work from accommodations.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and decent WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
57%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination compared to larger cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
83%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with easy access to nature supports excellent work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
High environmental quality with lush rainforests and protected areas.
🧼 Cleanliness
71%
Weight: 10
Generally clean, especially in tourist zones; some rural areas less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
54%
Weight: 30
Spanish is primary; English spoken in tourist areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to abundant greenery and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families with outdoor activities and safe environment.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
72%
Weight: 20
Good basic healthcare facilities; more advanced care requires travel to San José.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Affordable compared to North America and Europe; public and private options available.
🏥 Healthcare
76%
Weight: 20
Accessible healthcare with reasonable quality for routine needs.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
85%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season May-November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms; no major hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and rainforests nearby.
❄️ Air Conditioning
63%
Weight: 15
Limited AC in local homes; many accommodations and cafes have fans or AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
69%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution outside tourist hotspots; peaceful environment.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich Costa Rican culture with strong emphasis on 'Pura Vida' lifestyle.
🌃 Nightlife
45%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and occasional live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
97%
Weight: 15
Exceptional access to beaches, rainforests, hiking, and wildlife.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish schools and informal opportunities available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
88%
Weight: 10
Wide variety of eco-tours, wildlife watching, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
40%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment; focus is on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
65%
Weight: 25
Good local cuisine and fresh seafood; limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
67%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers catering to tourists and nomads.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
55%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms available; outdoor fitness options more common.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
73%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
79%
Weight: 20
GMT-6, convenient for North and Central American time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
48%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking; informal meetups occasionally organized.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
35%
Weight: 20
Few local remote job opportunities; mostly reliant on international remote work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; growing but still limited.
🏢 Coworking Quality
41%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
30%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem in Manuel Antonio itself.
💳 Local Payment Services
62%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and cards widely accepted; cash still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
45%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but limited infrastructure and adoption.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
50%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport (~3 hours away).
🚇 Public Transit
38%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; mainly buses with infrequent schedules.
🚶 Walkability
56%
Weight: 20
Walkable within town center; less so in outlying areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
42%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of Uber and similar services.
🚲 Cycling
50%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but limited bike lanes and hilly terrain.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
55%
Weight: 15
Buses and shuttles connect to other cities; travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
63%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals available for tourists and nomads.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPNs work reliably; no known restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
68%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during storms but generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi limited; mostly available in cafes and hotels.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
74%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa-free entry for many nationalities; 90-day stay common.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
86%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
45%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires documentation and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; process can be slow for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
60%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with specific requirements.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
63%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness and infrastructure but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
47%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups; no large-scale regular events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups focused on Costa Rica nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
70%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
68%
Weight: 50
Safe for women travelers; respectful local culture.
✊ Racial Tolerance
72%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society; some rural areas less diverse.