Forum
Analytics
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#2068
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
62%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major cities; higher than inland Costa Rica but cheaper than North America or Europe.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
51%
Weight: 80
Accommodation prices are on the higher side due to tourism demand, especially for beachfront properties.
🍎 Food & Groceries
68%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; imported goods and dining out can be moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
74%
Weight: 20
Public transport is cheap but limited; taxis and shuttles are affordable but add up.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Tourist activities and nightlife can be pricey, but local events and nature-based entertainment are low cost.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Gyms exist but are limited; memberships are moderately priced compared to urban centers.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation and steady exchange rates.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
63%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-30 Mbps; stable but can be inconsistent in remote areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
47%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces available; mostly small and limited in amenities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
71%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to nomads with power outlets and decent WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
58%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination compared to larger Costa Rican cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Excellent balance with access to nature, beaches, and relaxed lifestyle.
🌳 Environmental Quality
92%
Weight: 15
High environmental quality with lush rainforests and protected natural parks.
🧼 Cleanliness
70%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but tourist areas can have occasional litter.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
Spanish is primary; English is spoken in tourist areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to abundant greenery and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
72%
Weight: 25
Good for families with outdoor activities and safe environment.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
73%
Weight: 20
Good quality healthcare facilities nearby; public and private options available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
81%
Weight: 25
Affordable compared to North America and Europe; private care is more expensive but still reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
77%
Weight: 20
Reliable healthcare system with access to emergency and routine care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
88%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms; no major hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Abundant green spaces, national parks, and protected wildlife areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in hotels and some rentals but not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
63%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution except in tourist hotspots and during events.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with indigenous influences and strong eco-tourism focus.
🌃 Nightlife
54%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and beach parties.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
98%
Weight: 15
Exceptional access to beaches, rainforests, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish language schools and informal opportunities available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
87%
Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, wildlife excursions, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
41%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local and international cuisine, with emphasis on fresh seafood.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
58%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor fitness is popular.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
79%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
83%
Weight: 20
GMT-6, favorable for North and South American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
43%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events; mostly informal meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
37%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Emerging but still underdeveloped freelance community.
🏢 Coworking Quality
42%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are basic with limited amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
35%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity; more focused on tourism and hospitality.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Basic payment services available; credit cards widely accepted.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
45%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but limited infrastructure and acceptance.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
67%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport (~3 hours away).
🚇 Public Transit
38%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; mostly buses with infrequent schedules.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
Walkable in small town center but limited sidewalks and infrastructure.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
55%
Weight: 15
Some ride-sharing apps available but coverage is spotty.
🚲 Cycling
47%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but limited bike lanes and hilly terrain.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
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
72%
Weight: 20
Good mobile coverage in town and tourist areas; rural spots less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well; no known restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
75%
Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi limited mostly to cafes and hotels.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
70%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa-free entry for many countries; 90-day stay standard.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
89%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
81%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires documentation and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; process can be slow but manageable.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
78%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with up to 1 year stay.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
64%
Weight: 50
Growing community but still developing infrastructure for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
45%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups; no large-scale nomad events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
57%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups focused on Manuel Antonio.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
76%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists and nomads; petty crime exists but violent crime is rare.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with diverse tourist population.