Forum
Analytics
Nosara, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#923
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to urban centers; higher than many parts of Costa Rica due to its popularity with expats and tourists.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
54%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are above average for Costa Rica, especially for beachfront or high-quality homes favored by digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
68%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; imported goods and dining out can be pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
72%
Weight: 20
Limited public transport; most rely on scooters or cars, which are affordable but necessary due to spread-out geography.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are somewhat limited but reasonably priced; nightlife is modest.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Gyms and fitness centers available with moderate pricing, often including yoga studios.
💱 Currency Stability
78%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low volatility compared to other Latin American currencies.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
63%
Weight: 100
Internet is generally reliable with speeds around 20-50 Mbps; occasional outages in remote areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
57%
Weight: 40
Few dedicated coworking spaces; some cafes and community hubs serve as informal workspaces.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable environments for working.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
A growing number of cafes cater to digital nomads with good WiFi and power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
74%
Weight: 100
Increasingly popular among digital nomads seeking a beach lifestyle and wellness culture.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data packages.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on relaxation, outdoor activities, and wellness supports excellent work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Pristine beaches, lush forests, and clean air contribute to high environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
76%
Weight: 10
Generally clean, though some areas can have litter due to tourism influx.
🗨️ Language Barrier
52%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is common in tourist and expat areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to coastal location and abundant greenery.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and outdoor activities but limited schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
69%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare is good; for specialized care, travel to larger cities is often required.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are affordable compared to North America and Europe.
🏥 Healthcare
71%
Weight: 20
Adequate for minor to moderate health issues; emergency services are accessible but limited locally.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
82%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms; no major hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
93%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and forested areas ideal for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
64%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is common in accommodations but less so in public spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
31%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
78%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution; peaceful environment with natural sounds predominant.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
75%
Weight: 20
Rich Costa Rican culture with strong indigenous and colonial influences; friendly locals.
🌃 Nightlife
48%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; more relaxed and low-key compared to urban centers.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
96%
Weight: 15
Exceptional access to beaches, surfing, hiking, and wildlife.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish language schools and informal opportunities available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
79%
Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, surfing lessons, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
42%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Good mix of local Costa Rican cuisine and international options, with emphasis on fresh ingredients.
🧠 Yoga Studios
84%
Weight: 10
Numerous yoga studios and wellness centers catering to health-conscious visitors.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Several gyms and outdoor fitness options available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
81%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic food options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
73%
Weight: 20
Central Standard Time (UTC-6) aligns well with North American business hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
59%
Weight: 25
Small but growing digital nomad community; occasional meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
51%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community but not highly developed locally.
🏢 Coworking Quality
53%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with essential amenities; not high-end.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
38%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem; more focused on tourism and wellness.
💳 Local Payment Services
62%
Weight: 10
Cash is common; some digital payment options available but limited compared to major cities.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; crypto use is niche and not widespread.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
56%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Liberia (LIR), about 1.5-2 hours away; limited direct international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
39%
Weight: 20
Public transportation is sparse and unreliable; private transport preferred.
🚶 Walkability
47%
Weight: 20
Walkable within small town centers but limited sidewalks and infrastructure.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
43%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Uber available but limited coverage and reliability.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but roads can be challenging and infrastructure limited.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect to other cities but are slow and infrequent.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
71%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals widely available and popular for local transport.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
74%
Weight: 20
Good mobile coverage in town and nearby areas; some dead zones in remote spots.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably; no significant government restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Generally stable electricity with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited mostly to cafes and some public areas.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
67%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa is easy to obtain; no specific digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Costa Rica taxes residents on worldwide income; no special tax incentives for nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
86%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and press.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
44%
Weight: 15
Banking can be bureaucratic and requires local residency or significant documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
53%
Weight: 10
Moderate complexity; process can be slow and requires local legal assistance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa program available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community with growing infrastructure but some limitations remain.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and small events; no large-scale nomad conferences.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
62%
Weight: 20
Active social media groups and forums for Nosara digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
73%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming for women; some cultural conservatism in rural areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; diverse but some social stratification exists.