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Analytics
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#931
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to urban centers; local markets and eateries keep costs reasonable but imported goods and tourist areas increase expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can spike during high tourist seasons; options range from budget hostels to mid-range apartments.
🍎 Food & Groceries
75%
Weight: 40
Local produce and street food are affordable; imported groceries and dining in tourist spots are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public buses and shared shuttles are inexpensive; limited taxi services can be more costly.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
69%
Weight: 15
Affordable local entertainment options like beach activities and cultural events; nightlife can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
54%
Weight: 10
Limited gyms with moderate pricing; some boutique fitness studios charge premium rates.
💱 Currency Stability
80%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation, supported by tourism and remittances.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-30 Mbps; occasional outages in remote areas but generally sufficient for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
42%
Weight: 40
Few dedicated coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or accommodations with WiFi.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
73%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent connectivity, popular among digital nomads.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
A handful of cafes cater specifically to remote workers with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
59%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among eco-tourists and surfers than large nomad communities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with easy access to nature supports a healthy work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Excellent natural environment with lush rainforests, beaches, and biodiversity.
🧼 Cleanliness
61%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas affected by tourist waste and limited municipal services.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is spoken in tourist and expat areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to coastal location and abundant greenery.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
59%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and outdoor activities but limited schooling and healthcare.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare facilities available locally; more advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable; private clinics and insurance cost more but still reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Adequate for minor issues; serious medical conditions require evacuation or travel.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
86%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November can be intense.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
53%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of hurricanes and heavy rains causing flooding; low earthquake risk compared to other regions.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and forests surrounding the town.
❄️ Air Conditioning
51%
Weight: 15
Limited air conditioning in many accommodations; fans are common but may be insufficient during hot months.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation; distinct wet and dry seasons but temperature remains stable.
🔊 Noise Pollution
54%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise from nightlife and tourist activity; quieter in off-season.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich Afro-Caribbean and indigenous influences with vibrant local traditions and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
56%
Weight: 15
Small but lively nightlife scene focused on beach bars and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
98%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for surfing, hiking, wildlife watching, and beach activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish language schools and informal learning through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, cultural experiences, and adventure activities available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
41%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is on outdoor lifestyle.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
72%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local Caribbean and Costa Rican cuisine; some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
64%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers catering to tourists and nomads.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
50%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor activities preferred.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood widely available; organic options growing.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
79%
Weight: 20
GMT-6 time zone aligns well with North American working hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
45%
Weight: 25
Small digital nomad community limits networking; more informal meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
38%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most remote jobs come from outside connections.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Freelance infrastructure is minimal; reliance on global platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
39%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; not comparable to urban hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
27%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup ecosystem; focus is on tourism and local services.
💳 Local Payment Services
55%
Weight: 10
Cash is common; some acceptance of cards and mobile payments but limited fintech options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
33%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; limited local services accepting crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
48%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is in San José, about 4 hours away; local airstrip has limited flights.
🚇 Public Transit
59%
Weight: 20
Basic bus services available but infrequent; no urban transit system.
🚶 Walkability
67%
Weight: 20
Small town layout allows for walking but some roads lack sidewalks.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
34%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Uber are limited or unavailable; taxis are primary option.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but roads can be narrow and hilly; some bike rental options.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
52%
Weight: 15
Buses connect to other cities but travel times are long; limited private shuttle services.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are common and affordable for local travel.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
71%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town; rural areas may have weaker signals.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with stable internet; no known restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
64%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during storms but generally reliable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
57%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi limited mostly to cafes and some public areas.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
76%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa-free entry for many nationalities; 90-day stay common.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
No special digital nomad tax regime; standard tax rules apply.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
89%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
46%
Weight: 15
Lengthy process with strict documentation; non-residents face challenges.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; possible with local assistance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
61%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community but limited infrastructure tailored for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
37%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; mostly informal gatherings.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups focused on Puerto Viejo.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
68%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists; petty crime exists but violent crime is rare.
♀️ Female Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Moderately safe and welcoming; some caution advised at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
77%
Weight: 50
Diverse community with Afro-Caribbean heritage; generally tolerant and inclusive.