Essentials
- City
- Playa Avellanas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Population
- Approximately 500 permanent residents
- Internet Speed
- Starlink and fiber optics available (30-100 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 515 CRC (Colones). USD widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable in most areas, but bottled/filtered preferred by expats.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- Liberty (formerly Movistar) or Claro; best signal at the beach.
- Banking for Expats
- BAC Credomatic (Tamarindo), BNCR, and international cards like Revolut/Wise.
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels, eco-lodges, and luxury villas ($1,500 - $4,500/month).
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly; cards accepted at major restaurants, cash needed for small sodas.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and local managers like Avellanas Property Management.
- Budget Accommodation
- La Oveja Avellanas or Rapture Surf Camp ($25-$60/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Beachfront/Calle Principal for immediate surf access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Hacienda Pinilla (luxury/secure) or the hills behind the beach for quieter vibes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Outpost (In nearby Tamarindo, 20 mins) or Selina Tamarindo.
- Best Cafe for Work
- La Purruja; quiet corners and decent Wi-Fi for 2-3 hours of work.
- Networking Events
- Tamarindo Digital Nomad Meetups (Thursday evenings at Sharky's).
- Social Events for Expats
- Beach volleyball at Lola's or Sunset drinks at Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (limited availability) or private shuttles like Tropical Tours Shuttles.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tamarindo Dirt Bikes or local rentals near Lola's ($25/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Negra (15 mins south) or Playa Langosta (20 mins north).
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (Flying into Tamarindo Airstrip).
- Top International Airline
- United, American, Delta (Flying into Liberia LIR - 1.5 hours away).
- Highway Access
- Route 152/155; unpaved roads common in Avellanas (4x4 recommended).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Tamarindo Bus Station is the main regional transit link.
- Public Transport Passes
- Not applicable; pay cash (Approx. $2) for buses to Santa Cruz.
- Regional Travel
- Alfaro Bus Company for travel to San José ($10-$15).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Beachside Clinic (Huacas) or CIMA Hospital (Liberia).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Shala at SoulShine Avellanas ($15/class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Avellanas Crossfit or Nick Holt Fitness at Hacienda Pinilla.
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Avellanas (Wash and fold approx. $2 per kg).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None (Remote area); private delivery from local 'Sodas' via WhatsApp.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto with sea bass at Soda Maura.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- SoulShine (Plant-forward menu with fresh smoothies).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Il Grigio for authentic Italian gelato.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Avellanas (Local pantry staples).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Unimart.com (Costa Rican Amazon equivalent) or Facebook Marketplace.
- Grocery Delivery
- Auto Mercado (via Delimart app) from Tamarindo.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Beachfront bonfires at Avellanas; for clubs, head to Tamarindo.
- Local Brewery
- Pura Vida Taproom (nearby in Tamarindo).
- Wine Bars
- Lola's (Beachfront wine list with a view).
- Street Food Stalls
- Occasional ceviche carts near the beach entrance.
- Popular International Cuisine
- La-Piadina (Italian flatbreads) or Da-Beppe (Pizza).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The 'Avellanas Tree' and the famous boardwalk bridge.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kelly's Surf Shop (Historical surf memorabilia).
- Historical Sites
- Diriá Coffee Plantation (45 mins away).
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia de San José in neighboring village Pinilla.
- Annual Events
- Guanacaste Day (July 25th) - Horse parades and rodeo.
- Cultural Districts
- Santa Cruz (The 'Folklore City' of Costa Rica, 30 mins away).
- Theater Venues
- Hidden Garden Art Gallery (Theater events occasionally).
- Local Markets
- Tamarindo Farmers Market (Saturdays 8am-1pm).
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at SoulShine on weekends.
- Street Art
- Surf-themed murals around the boardwalk area.
- Cooking Classes
- Tico Cooking Classes at Los Altos de Eros ($95/person).
- Art Galleries
- Lydia Beech Art (Tamarindo).
- Historic Buildings
- Las Baulas National Park administrative building.
- Local Heritage
- Sabanero (Cowboy) culture is the primary heritage in Guanacaste.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Las Baulas National Marine Park (Leatherback turtle nesting).
- National Parks Nearby
- Rincón de la Vieja (Volcano/Hot springs, 2 hours away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Hacienda Pinilla mountain bike trails (over 45km of trails).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The coastline cliffs near Playa Negra.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The mangrove estuary at the end of the boardwalk.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beach areas north of Lola’s (Follow local fire regulations).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (Tamarindo office).
- Tech Repair Services
- Tamarindo Tech (Laptop/iPhone repair).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Tamarindo common area.
- Language Classes
- WAYRA Spanish School (Tamarindo).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The library at CRIA (Costa Rica International Academy).
- Community Centers
- CEPIA (Community center in nearby Huacas).
- Gaming Lounges
- Not available; mobile gaming is common via Liberty 4G.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Diria Casino (Tamarindo).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000 for a condo near the beach).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000 in Hernandez/Pinilla).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $176,000).
- Corporate Tax
- Variable 5-30% based on gross income (Standard approx 30%).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial (Income earned outside Costa Rica is not taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for individuals/salaried.
- VAT
- 13% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Minimal; primarily focused on local income.
- Property Tax
- Low: 0.25% of the registered property value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% transfer tax plus legal/notary fees (Total ~3.5-4%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa offers 0% tax on foreign income for 1 year (renewable).