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Playa del Coco, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#1593 ,

Nomad Score: 68%

Essentials

🏙️ City Playa del Coco is a popular beach town in Guanacaste Province, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant expat community.
👥 Population Approx. 8,000
💻 Internet Speed Average download speed is 20-60 Mbps, depending on the provider.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 USD ≈ 620 CRC. Major credit cards accepted, wire transfers available.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; use bottled water.
🔌 Power 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets.
📶 SIM Card Providers include Kolbi, Movistar, and Claro, with prepaid options available.
💳 Banking for Expats Commonly used banks include Banco Nacional and BAC Credomatic, with services in English.
🛌 Accommodation Options include hotels, short-term vacation rentals, and long-term leases through platforms like Airbnb.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, many places accept cards, but cash is still preferred for smaller vendors.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Available through Airbnb, Vrbo, and local property management services.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel Pura Vida offers dorms for around $15 per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists Stay near Playa del Coco beach for easy access to restaurants and activities.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Las Palmas area, known for a quieter atmosphere and proximity to coworking spaces.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Kaya Sol Co-Working has fast internet and a comfortable work environment.
Best Cafe for Work Cafe de Playa offers Wi-Fi and a beautiful view, a perfect spot for remote work.
💼 Networking Events Monthly meetups organized through community platforms like Facebook and Meetup.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Expats in Playa del Coco Facebook group regularly hosts social gatherings.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber operates in the area, offering convenient rides.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Local shops offer rentals, such as Coco Bikes, charging around $15 per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Playa del Coco is the main beach, known for swimming and snorkeling opportunities.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Nature Air provides flights to various destinations within Costa Rica.
✈️ Top International Airline United Airlines and American Airlines fly into Liberia International Airport, about 30 minutes away.
🛣️ Highway Access Interstate Route 21 provides access to other towns and attractions in Guanacaste.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub No train service; local buses connect to nearby towns and Liberia.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Bus fares are generally $1-$3 depending on the destination.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses run frequently to Tamarindo, Liberia, and other coastal towns.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital CIMA Hospital is the main facility, offering comprehensive healthcare services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers The Yoga House Playa del Coco offers classes for all levels with ocean views.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers For fitness, check out Gym Tonic, offering daily and weekly memberships.
🧺 Laundry Services Self-service laundromat near the beach charges about $5 for a load.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App DeliBites delivers a variety of local and international cuisine.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Gallo Pinto, a traditional rice and beans dish served at local sodas.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Nalu Health Bar & Cafe offers a variety of tasty vegan options.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Ice Cream Shop and Cafe serves delicious handmade ice cream.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Local markets, like the Wednesday Farmer's market, offer fresh produce and local goods.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Pura Vida Bracelets offers trendy accessories and supports Costa Rican artisans.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Walmart and Mas x Menos provide home delivery services in the area.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Main nightlife spots include The Monkey Bar and the Coco Sunset Hotel.
🍻 Local Brewery Craft beer at The Costa Rica Brewing Company in nearby Liberia.
🍷 Wine Bars La Casa del Vino offers a selection of wines and tapas.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Playa del Coco has many food stalls near the beach serving fresh seafood and tacos.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Several Italian and Asian restaurants cater to diverse palates.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Coco Beach is famous for its sunsets and vibrant local life.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The Costa Rican Art Museum in San José showcases national talent, accessible via day trips.
🏰 Historical Sites Explore local fishing history at small museums and displays around the port.
🕍 Religious Sites Local church, Iglesia de Coco, represents the town's cultural heritage.
🎉 Annual Events The Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar is celebrated every July with parades and cultural events.
🎨 Cultural Districts The town center features local shops and restaurants showcasing Costa Rican culture.
🎭 Theater Venues Local community theater hosts events regularly, providing insight into local arts.
🛍️ Local Markets Visit the artisanal market on weekends for handmade crafts and souvenirs.
🎼 Music Scene Live music at local bars throughout the week featuring various genres.
🎨 Street Art Look for murals depicting Costa Rican culture and wildlife around the town.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Local chefs offer classes that include market tours and hands-on cooking experiences.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Gallery Vida offers local art and rotating exhibitions.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Some historical buildings reflect colonial architecture, especially in the town center.
🏴 Local Heritage Fishing has historically shaped the community, showcasing artisan techniques passed down generations.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Visit Rincon de la Vieja National Park for hiking and hot springs.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Santa Rosa National Park is nearby full of wildlife and hiking trails.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Cycling paths along the beach offer scenic views and leisure activity.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The lookout point at Playa Ocotal provides stunning views of the coastline.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations The wetlands of Palo Verde National Park are renowned for biodiversity.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated areas at nearby beaches allow bonfires, perfect for beach gatherings.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and local post office are available for sending and receiving packages.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local electronics shop, PC Costa Rica, can assist with device repairs.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Many community centers have tables available for public use.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Como en Casa offers Spanish language classes for all levels.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots There is a small local library with access to public internet.
🏘️ Community Centers The community center hosts a variety of activities and workshops.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Game spots in town cater to video gaming enthusiasts.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Occasional gaming events at nearby hotels attract tourists and locals alike.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $96,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $156,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $132,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $184,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000)
💼 Corporate Tax Corporate tax is generally 30%, depending on the income level.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax Withholding tax on dividends is 15%.
🏦 Tax System The Costa Rican tax system is based on worldwide income for residents.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket Maximum personal income tax rate is 25%.
🧾 VAT Standard Value Added Tax rate is 13%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules No strict CFC rules currently in place.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property taxation is calculated at 0.25% of the property's registered value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Standard rate is 1.5% on the purchase price.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Costa Rica offers special visa programs and tax incentives for digital nomads coming to work remotely.

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