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Genki offers international health insurance tailored for digital nomads, expats, and long-term travelers, providing worldwide coverage and flexibility.

Global health insurance for nomads.

Affiliate disclosure
Nomad Score: 65%

πŸ’° Cost & Affordability

πŸ’Έ Cost of Living
62% Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to urban centers, but higher than many parts of Costa Rica due to its popularity with expats and tourists.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
55% Weight: 80
Rental prices are above average for Costa Rica, especially for beachfront or high-end properties favored by digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
68% Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce, but imported goods and dining out can be pricey.
🚌 Transportation Cost
70% Weight: 20
Limited public transport; most rely on scooters or cars, which are relatively affordable but add to costs.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are somewhat limited but affordable, focusing on outdoor activities and local events.
πŸ‹οΈ Gym Membership Cost
65% Weight: 10
Gyms and fitness centers are available with moderate membership fees, often including yoga studios.
πŸ’± Currency Stability
73% Weight: 30
Costa Rican colΓ³n is relatively stable with low inflation, but some exposure to USD fluctuations.

πŸ’» Digital Nomad Essentials

πŸš€ Internet Speed
71% Weight: 100
Good internet speeds in main areas with fiber-optic connections, though occasional outages can occur.
πŸ‘₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
58% Weight: 40
Few dedicated coworking spaces; most nomads work from cafes or rental accommodations.
β˜• Cafes with WiFi
74% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer reliable WiFi and comfortable work environments.
πŸ’»β˜• Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70% Weight: 30
Many cafes welcome remote workers with power outlets and good internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
69% Weight: 100
Growing community but still smaller compared to larger Costa Rican cities like San JosΓ© or Tamarindo.
πŸ“± Local SIM Card Availability
80% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

βš–οΈ Work-Life Balance
85% Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on outdoor activities, wellness, and relaxation supports excellent work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
88% Weight: 15
Pristine beaches, lush forests, and clean air contribute to high environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
77% Weight: 10
Generally clean public spaces and accommodations, though some rural areas have less infrastructure.
πŸ—¨οΈ Language Barrier
60% Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is common in tourist and expat areas but limited elsewhere.
πŸ’¨ Air Quality
89% Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to coastal location and low industrial activity.
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Family Friendly
65% Weight: 25
Good environment for families but limited schooling options.

πŸ₯ Healthcare

πŸ₯ Healthcare Quality
65% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare is good; for specialized care, travel to larger cities is often necessary.
πŸ’‰ Healthcare Affordability
72% Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable; private care is more expensive but still reasonable.
πŸ₯ Healthcare
67% Weight: 20
Adequate for minor issues; serious medical needs require travel to San JosΓ© or abroad.

🌿 Climate & Environment

β˜€οΈ Weather
86% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November.
πŸŒͺ️ Natural Disaster Risk
60% Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms; no major hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
90% Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and forested areas ideal for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
68% Weight: 15
Many accommodations have AC, but some rely on fans due to mild coastal breezes.
πŸ‚ Seasonal Variety
35% Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons without temperature changes.
πŸ”Š Noise Pollution
80% Weight: 10
Low noise pollution due to rural and beachside setting.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
75% Weight: 20
Rich local culture with strong indigenous and Spanish influences; vibrant community events.
πŸŒƒ Nightlife
50% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and beach gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
95% Weight: 15
Exceptional opportunities for surfing, hiking, wildlife watching, and beach activities.
πŸ—£οΈ Language Learning Opportunities
62% Weight: 10
Several Spanish schools and informal language exchanges available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
80% Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, surfing lessons, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment; focus is on outdoor lifestyle.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
70% Weight: 25
Good variety of local and international cuisine, with emphasis on fresh seafood and organic options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
83% Weight: 10
Numerous yoga studios and wellness centers catering to health-conscious nomads.
πŸ‹οΈ Fitness Facilities
67% Weight: 15
Several gyms and outdoor fitness options available.
πŸ₯— Healthy Food Options
81% Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic markets.

πŸ’Ό Work Environment

πŸ•°οΈ Time Zone Favorability
78% Weight: 20
GMT-6 time zone aligns well with North American working hours.
🀝 Networking Opportunities
59% Weight: 25
Smaller community limits networking; occasional meetups and events occur.
πŸ’» Remote Job Opportunities
40% Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most nomads work for international clients.
πŸ†“ Freelance Ecosystem
45% Weight: 20
Small freelance community; mostly informal networks.
🏒 Coworking Quality
52% Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; more options in nearby towns.

πŸ“ˆ Business & Economy

πŸš€ Startup Scene
38% Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity; focus is more on tourism and wellness.
πŸ’³ Local Payment Services
60% Weight: 10
Cash is common; mobile payments growing but not widespread.
πŸ”— Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40% Weight: 15
Limited adoption; some interest but infrastructure is nascent.

πŸš† Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
55% Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Liberia (about 1.5 hours away); limited direct flights.
πŸš‡ Public Transit
30% Weight: 20
Very limited public transportation; reliance on private vehicles.
🚢 Walkability
50% Weight: 20
Walkable within town center but distances between amenities can be large.
πŸš— Ride-sharing Services
45% Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are limited; taxis and local drivers more common.
🚲 Cycling
60% Weight: 10
Good terrain for cycling but limited dedicated bike lanes.
πŸš„ Intercity Travel Options
50% Weight: 15
Bus services available but infrequent; car rentals preferred.
πŸ›΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
75% Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are widely available and popular.

πŸ“‘ Connectivity

πŸ“± Mobile Network Coverage
70% Weight: 20
Good coverage in town and coastal areas; some rural spots have weaker signals.
πŸ”’ VPN Reliability
80% Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with minimal restrictions.
⚑ Power Grid Reliability
70% Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with occasional outages during storms.
πŸ“Ά Public WiFi Availability
65% Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.

βš–οΈ Legal & Administrative

πŸ›‚ Visa Ease
72% Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; 90-day stay allowed with possibility to extend.
πŸ“Š Tax Friendliness
50% Weight: 30
Costa Rica has moderate tax rates; digital nomads must consider home country tax obligations.
πŸ—£οΈ Freedom of Speech
85% Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
πŸ›οΈ Political Stability
78% Weight: 20
Stable democracy with low levels of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55% Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic and requires residency or local references.
πŸ“„ Ease of Business Registration
60% Weight: 10
Moderate process; possible to register small businesses but paperwork can be slow.
πŸ“„βœˆοΈ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
70% Weight: 50
Welcoming community with good amenities but limited formal support structures.
🀝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50% Weight: 25
Occasional meetups but no large-scale regular events.
🌐πŸ‘₯ Online Community Presence
60% Weight: 20
Active but small online groups and forums focused on Nosara.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety
75% Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
72% Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming for women travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with some cultural homogeneity.

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