Essentials
- City
- Playa Flamingo (Playa Blanca), Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Population
- Approximately 3,500 (fluctuates with seasonal tourism)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available via Liberty/Kolbi, up to 200 Mbps in coastal developments
- Currency & Banking
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC); 1 USD ≈ 515 CRC. US Dollars widely accepted alongside Colones
- Tap Water
- Drinkable in the main Flamingo area, but many expats prefer filtered water or delivery
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Liberty (formerly Movistar) or Kolbi; available at Liberia Airport or Flamingo Pharmacy
- Banking for Expats
- Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) in Flamingo; digital banks like Wink or Revolut/Wise for ATMs
- Accommodation
- Luxury condos (Flamingo Marina), beachfront villas, and hilltop apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) accepted in most restaurants; cash preferred for street vendors
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and Special Places of Costa Rica (local management)
- Budget Accommodation
- Podere (nearby in Brasilito) or nearby hostels in Potrero like SunVibe
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Flamingo Beach (White Sand) or the North Ridge for ocean views
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Surfside (Potrero) for walkability and community, or The Flamingo Marina for high-end amenities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Corner (neighboring Brasilito) or Hemingway’s (informal waterfront spot)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Surf Box (Playa Flamingo/Potrero) - excellent Wi-Fi, AC, and healthy bowls ($12-$18)
- Networking Events
- Flamingo Marina Networking Mixers; Friday Sunset gatherings at Margaritaville Resort
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats Flamingo & Potrero Facebook Group; Charity events for Abriendo Mentes
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber (limited); use local 'Radio Taxi' or private Shuttles (EcoTrans)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Flamingo Adventures ($25/day for bikes, $50/day for scooters)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Conchal (voted best in world, accessible via Brasilito hike)
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (Flying to San José from Liberia/Tamarindo)
- Top International Airline
- American, United, Delta, JetBlue via Liberia International Airport (LIR)
- Highway Access
- Route 180 and Route 911 (The Monkey Trail) connects to wider Guanacaste
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Liberia International Airport (1 hour drive) is the main hub
- Public Transport Passes
- Tralapa Bus Line (Flamingo to San José) - pay per ride (approx $10-$15)
- Regional Travel
- Private shuttles or rental cars from Alamo/National at the Flamingo Marina
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Beachside Clinic (Huacas) for emergencies; CIMA Hospital (Liberia) for major surgery
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Shala (at Peace Retreat in nearby Potrero) - $15 drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Flamingo Fitness Center (near the pharmacy) - Daily/Monthly rates available
- Laundry Services
- Lavenderia Flamingo (wash/dry/fold approx $2/kg)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Limited; most use WhatsApp for direct delivery or the 'TicoToGo' app
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto at Soda El Estero (Brasilito) - $7 including coffee
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Nativa (Fine dining with plant options); Shogun (Sushi with vegan rolls)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Lucy’s Creamery (Potrero) for artisanal gelato
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Massai (on the road to Huacas) for bulk supplies
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Aeropost (for importing Amazon/US goods via San José)
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Compro Flamingo or private shoppers via Flamingo Concierge
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Potrero ‘Beer Mile’ or Coco Loco (sunset drinks on the beach)
- Local Brewery
- Potrero Brewing Co. (located 5 mins away in Surfside)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop (Marina Flamingo) - high-end selections and tastings
- Street Food Stalls
- Local 'Sodas' in Brasilito plaza for $6 Casados
- Popular International Cuisine
- Marie’s Restaurant (Classic American/Costa Rican fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Marina Flamingo (the most modern marina in Central America)
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Hidden Garden Art Gallery (on path to Liberia)
- Historical Sites
- Diriá Coffee Plantation tours (approx 1 hour drive)
- Religious Sites
- Capilla de la Sagrada Familia (Potrero)
- Annual Events
- Flamingo Fishing Tournament (July); Fiestas de Brasilito (January)
- Cultural Districts
- Town center of Santa Cruz (1 hour away) for authentic Guanacaste heritage
- Theater Venues
- Limited; mostly live music at Perlas in Potrero
- Local Markets
- La Paz Community School Market (Wednesdays) for artisan crafts
- Music Scene
- Live Jazz and Reggae at Hemingway’s on weekends
- Street Art
- Murals surrounding the Potrero plaza and Surfside area
- Cooking Classes
- Pura Vida Cooking Classes at nearby Las Catalina
- Art Galleries
- Guanacaste Art Gallery (Marina Flamingo)
- Historic Buildings
- The ‘White House’ area on the North Ridge
- Local Heritage
- Sabanero (cowboy) culture; oxen parades during local festivals
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Las Baulas National Marine Park (Leatherback turtle nesting)
- National Parks Nearby
- Rincón de la Vieja National Park (Volcanoes & hot springs - 1.5 hrs)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The trails at Las Catalinas (Danta and Dantita trails)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Flamingo North Ridge (overlooking the bay)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Estero de Potrero (mangroves and coastal birds)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Penca (Potrero side) - local gatherings at sunset
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (Huacas branch); DHL via Liberia
- Tech Repair Services
- Tech Shop Liberia (authorized Apple/PC repairs)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Marina Flamingo Recreation center
- Language Classes
- CPI Spanish Immersion School (located in Flamingo)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- La Paz School Library (private, community access limited)
- Community Centers
- The Flamingo Association (Asociación Pro-Mejoras de Flamingo)
- Gaming Lounges
- None; home setups or Tamarindo options
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Flamingo (located within the Flamingo Beach Resort)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $300,000 at the Marina)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000 in Surfside)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $408,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $480,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Progressive up to 30%, though small businesses often fall in 10-20% bracket
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned within Costa Rica is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for individuals
- VAT
- 13% (locally known as IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules for foreign entities
- Property Tax
- 0.25% annually of the registered value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx 1.5% transfer tax plus legal fees (total roughly 3.5-4%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa (Law 10.008) allows 0% income tax on foreign-source income