Essentials
- City
- Playa del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Population
- Approx. 3,500 permanent residents
- Internet Speed
- Reliable fiber optic available via Tigo or Telecable; speeds up to 200 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC). 1 USD ≈ 515 CRC. USD accepted everywhere.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and safe in Playa del Coco (AyA provider)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Liberty or Kölbi; available at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports; ~$20 for 10GB
- Banking for Expats
- BAC Credomatic (best app), Banco Nacional, and BCR. Cards widely accepted.
- Accommodation
- Condos in Las Palmas or Pacifico; $1,200 - $2,500/month for mid-range rentals.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted at almost all restaurants and supermarkets; cash needed for small sodas or taxis.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or local agencies like Milagro Management.
- Budget Accommodation
- Ten North Tamarindo (nearby) or local Coco options like Hotel Coco Palms (~$60/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Las Palmas (walking distance to beach and beach clubs like Café de Playa).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Pacifico (Gated community with backup generators and high-speed fiber).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Sand & Surf Coworking (located in the Pacifico Retail Village); approx. $25/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- JavaCoffeeCo (Main Street); excellent AC, power outlets, and high-speed internet.
- Networking Events
- Coco Business Network (monthly local meetups at The Garden Bar).
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night live music at Zi Lounge; 'Expats in Playa del Coco' Facebook group.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is available but sparse; local 'Taxis Rojos' or private shuttles are more reliable.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Coco E-Bikes; $35 per day or $150 per week for electric scooters.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Ocotal (3km away); famous for snorkeling and black sand.
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (Flying out of Liberia International - LIR).
- Top International Airline
- United, Delta, and American Airlines (Direct to LIR airport, 25 mins away).
- Highway Access
- Route 151 connects directly to the Inter-American Highway (Route 1).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Pulmitan de Liberia Bus Terminal (direct buses to San José every 2 hours).
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; cash payment of ~$1.50 for local routes to Liberia.
- Regional Travel
- Direct shuttles (Interbus) to La Fortuna or Tamarindo for ~$60.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CIMA Hospital (Liberia) or San Rafael Arcángel (Liberia); 30 mins drive.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Coco Yoga & Wellness (near the beach); drop-in classes for $15.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Gym at Pacifico; modern equipment, $10 day pass or $75 monthly.
- Laundry Services
- Coco Laundry (Main Street); $2 per kilo for wash/dry/fold service.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa is the primary delivery service in the Guanacaste region.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto (Breakfast) or Casado (Lunch) at Soda Teresita (on the beach).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Chorotega Natural (smoothies and bowls); ~$12 for a meal.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Nalu (Inside Pacifico Retail Village) for homemade gelato and pastries.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Maxi Pali (Local budget supermarket on the entrance road).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Unimart.com (CR-based Amazon alternative) or marketplace through Correos de CR.
- Grocery Delivery
- Auto Mercado (High-end supermarket) offers online ordering via their website.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The 'Strip' on Main Street; Coconutz and Zi Lounge are the anchors.
- Local Brewery
- Angry Goats Brewing (Sample local Guanacaste craft beers).
- Wine Bars
- The Garden Bar at Pacifico Village; extensive wine list and tapas.
- Street Food Stalls
- Empanada stands near the Luperon supermarket (after 5 PM).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizzeria La Bella Italia (Authentic Italian); pizzas starting at $14.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- El Amor de Temporada Boardwalk (Paseo del Amor) along the waterfront.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Hidden Garden Art Gallery (15 mins away near LIR airport).
- Historical Sites
- La Ermita de La Agonía in nearby Liberia (built in 1866).
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Loreto (Main church in downtown Coco).
- Annual Events
- Fiestas de Octubre (Local rodeos and street parades in nearby Filadelfia).
- Cultural Districts
- The central town plaza and the 'Artisan Market' on the beach path.
- Theater Venues
- Teatro de la Ciudad in Liberia (35 mins away).
- Local Markets
- Coco Farmers Market (Saturdays at 8 AM near the basketball court).
- Music Scene
- Live blues and rock at Coconutz Bar every Wednesday and Sunday.
- Street Art
- Ocean life murals and whale sculptures along the Coco Waterfront Park.
- Cooking Classes
- Organic Costa Rica Cooking School (Private classes in Las Palmas).
- Art Galleries
- Guanacaste Art Gallery (Local paintings and Chorotega pottery).
- Historic Buildings
- Casona de Santa Rosa (National monument 1 hour north).
- Local Heritage
- Chorotega indigenous heritage pottery from Guaitil.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Diamante Eco Adventure Park (15 mins drive); zip-lining and animal sanctuary.
- National Parks Nearby
- Rincón de la Vieja National Park (volcano and hot springs); 1 hour drive.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Beachfront path from Coco to Playas del Coco North Beach.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Lookout point at 'The Lookout' restaurant or Vista Marina hills.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Palo Verde National Park (river tours); 1.5 hours away.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Hermosa (neighboring beach) often allows sunset bonfires (follow local signs).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (Post Office next to Luperon).
- Tech Repair Services
- Coco Tech (located in downtown Coco) for iPhone and laptop repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Bamboo Beach Club occasionally hosts tables.
- Language Classes
- Coastal Spanish School (Intensive immersion programs).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Libros para Todos (Small bookstore/reading area near the plaza).
- Community Centers
- Asociación de Desarrollo Integral (ADI) de Playas del Coco.
- Gaming Lounges
- No dedicated lounges; internet cafes in Liberia offer gaming PCs.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino at Hotel El Siteo (Liberia) or occasional tables at Flor de Itabo.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $120,000 in Pacifico Retail units).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 in Older Coco Bay units).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000 in Las Palmas).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000 for local area houses).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,650 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $212,000 in the Pacifico neighborhood).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000 in neighboring community Sardinal).
- Corporate Tax
- Up to 30% depending on gross income (Lower brackets for small businesses).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% on dividends distributed by a local entity.
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned within Costa Rica is taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for individuals (employment income).
- VAT
- 13% (locally known as IVA).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No, Costa Rica currently does not have specific CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- 0.25% of the registered value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% transfer tax plus notary fees (total ~3.5%-4%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 'Digital Nomad Law' offers 0% tax on foreign income for 1 year (renewable).