Playa del Coco, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#1593 10.557994, -85.692261

Nomad Score: 66%
Overview Guide Scores Costs

Essentials

🏙️ City Playa del Coco is a vibrant beach town located in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, known for its stunning beaches and lively atmosphere.
👥 Population Approx. 5,000 inhabitants.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed of 25 Mbps, with availability of fiber optic connections in some areas.
💸 Currency & Banking Costa Rican Colón (CRC). Approx. 1 USD ≈ 570 CRC.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended.
🔌 Power 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets.
📶 SIM Card Local providers such as Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar offer prepaid SIM cards.
💳 Banking for Expats Popular options include Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica; ATMs widely available.
🛌 Accommodation Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and long-term leases starting around $500 per month.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, many places accept credit cards, though cash is still preferred in markets.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short-term stays, with prices ranging from $40 to $150 per night.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel Pura Vida offers beds starting at $15 per night.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Coco Coworking offers dedicated desks and meeting rooms with fast internet.
☕ Best Cafe for Work Cafe de Playa offers a relaxed atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Monthly meetups often organized through Facebook groups like 'Expats in Costa Rica'.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Events hosted at local bars and community centers regularly to engage with expats.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber operates locally and is a reliable option, although traditional taxis are also available.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Local shops like Coco Bike offer easy bike and scooter rentals ranging from $10 to $30 per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Playa del Coco beach is just a short walk away, perfect for sunbathing and water sports.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Sansa Airlines provides domestic flights to various locations in Costa Rica.
✈️ Top International Airline American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have direct flights into Liberia Airport (approximately 30 minutes away).
🛣️ Highway Access Highway 21 provides direct access to popular destinations like Liberia and Tamarindo.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub No train services; bus stations provide connections to other towns.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Buses are available, with tickets ranging from $1 to $5 depending on the destination.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses and shuttles to nearby areas like Liberia and Playa Hermosa are frequent and budget-friendly.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Hospital de Cocos is a local healthcare facility offering emergency and general services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Coco Yoga offers a variety of classes in a tranquil setting.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness Center Coco offers memberships for $30/month, with varied workout options.
🧺 Laundry Services Lavaxpress offers laundry services starting at $10 for small loads.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Rappi and Uber Eats are popular food delivery options in Playa del Coco.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Gallo Pinto - a traditional rice and beans dish, often served with eggs.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options The Vegan Cafe offers a variety of plant-based options.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Ice Cream Shop Playa offers delicious local ice cream and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Local markets offer fresh produce and souvenirs, ideal for budget shopping.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Local services like Mercadito offer online shopping for groceries and essentials.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Local delivery apps like Cornershop make grocery shopping easy and convenient.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Main street in Playa del Coco has various bars and clubs that stay open late.
🍻 Local Brewery Cerveza Artesanal offers tastings and tours for local craft beers.
🍷 Wine Bars The Wine Bar Playa del Coco has an extensive selection of wines from around the world.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Numerous stalls along the beach serve fresh seafood and local snacks.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Pasta's Corner serves a range of Italian dishes in a cozy setting.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Playa del Coco Beach Boardwalk is a popular spot for sunset views.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Cultural Center Guanacaste hosts local art exhibitions and events.
🏰 Historical Sites The local church offers a glimpse into the architectural style of the area.
🕍 Religious Sites Iglesia Catolica de Coco is a well-known religious site in the town.
🎉 Annual Events Coco Carnival happens in February offering a lively celebration with parades and music.
🎨 Cultural Districts The town center is rich with local shops and eateries showcasing Costa Rican culture.
🎭 Theater Venues Local venues often host film screenings and cultural performances.
🛍️ Local Markets Weekly artisan markets display local crafts, foods, and art.
🎼 Music Scene Various bars host live music events, particularly during weekends.
🎨 Street Art Local murals can be found throughout the town, reflecting its vibrant culture.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Culinary classes focusing on Costa Rican cuisine are offered locally.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Several local galleries showcase the work of talented Costa Rican artists.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Municipal buildings reflect the colonial style prevalent in Guanacaste.
🏴 Local Heritage Traditional festivals celebrate the local culture and heritage throughout the year.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Rincón de la Vieja National Park, approximately 1 hour away, offers hiking and wildlife viewing.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Santa Rosa National Park provides access to beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The coastline has scenic walking paths ideal for biking or walking.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Lookouts along the coast offer stunning views of sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge is nearby, a great spot for observing diverse bird species.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Certain areas on the beach allow bonfires at designated times.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Local courier services such as Correos de Costa Rica provide reliable shipping options.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local electronics shops offer repair services for phones and computers.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Community centers often have facilities for table tennis.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Language schools in Guanacaste offer Spanish classes tailored for expats.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Local cafes provide cozy corners for reading or studying.
🏘️ Community Centers Local centers host various events and workshops for both locals and expats.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Local cafes often have gaming setups for community gaming events.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Nearby hotels host gaming events, catering to guests and locals.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $80,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $176,000).
💼 Corporate Tax 30% standard corporate tax rate.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 15% on distribution.
🏦 Tax System Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 25% maximum personal income tax rate.
🧾 VAT 13% standard VAT rate.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, Costa Rica has CFC regulations in place.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax is approximately 0.25% of the property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Not applicable, but notario fees may apply during property purchases.