Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#931
10.454139, -84.00825
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to major cities, but prices have been rising due to tourism.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
65%
Weight: 80
Variety of options available, but prices can be high during peak tourist seasons.
🍎 Food & Groceries
72%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce, but imported goods can be pricey.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive, and many places are walkable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Affordable local entertainment options, but tourist attractions can be pricey.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Limited gym options, with memberships varying in price and quality.
💱 Currency Stability
70%
Weight: 30
The Costa Rican colón is relatively stable, but fluctuations can occur.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Decent internet speeds, but reliability can vary in more remote areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
55%
Weight: 40
A few coworking spaces exist, but options are limited compared to larger cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, making it easy to work remotely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to digital nomads, providing good environments for work.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Growing popularity among digital nomads, but still not as established as other locations.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Laid-back lifestyle promotes a good work-life balance, with plenty of leisure activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
80%
Weight: 15
Rich biodiversity and natural beauty contribute to high environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
60%
Weight: 10
Varies by area; some parts are well-maintained while others can be littered.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
Spanish is the primary language; English is spoken in tourist areas but less so elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, though pollution can increase during dry seasons.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
75%
Weight: 20
Healthcare is generally good, with both public and private options available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to many Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
78%
Weight: 20
Good access to healthcare with both public and private options.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
90%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, though rainy season can be intense.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
50%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and hurricanes, though not frequent.
🏞️ Green Spaces
85%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and natural reserves enhance the outdoor experience.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Not universally available; some accommodations may lack AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
40%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variety; primarily tropical with wet and dry seasons.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
70%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with indigenous influences and vibrant traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
60%
Weight: 15
Casual nightlife with bars and music venues, but not as vibrant as larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
95%
Weight: 15
Exceptional access to beaches, rainforests, and wildlife, ideal for nature lovers.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Spanish schools available, but options may be limited compared to larger cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
80%
Weight: 10
Numerous tours and local experiences available, especially related to nature.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is more on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
75%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options, with a mix of local and international cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
70%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios cater to wellness enthusiasts, especially in tourist areas.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
55%
Weight: 15
Limited fitness facilities; options mainly in larger towns.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of healthy food options, especially in cafes.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
Central time zone is favorable for North American remote workers.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited networking opportunities compared to larger cities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Fewer remote job opportunities; many digital nomads work freelance.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community, but still developing compared to larger hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Quality varies; some spaces are good, while others lack amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
40%
Weight: 15
Limited startup scene; few resources for entrepreneurs.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Basic payment services available, but not as advanced as in larger cities.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
35%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption of blockchain and crypto; still developing.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
60%
Weight: 30
Nearby airport offers limited international flights; larger airports are further away.
🚇 Public Transit
65%
Weight: 20
Basic public transit available, but not extensive; taxis are common.
🚶 Walkability
75%
Weight: 20
Many areas are walkable, especially in town centers.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
50%
Weight: 15
Limited ride-sharing options; taxis are more common.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Cycling is possible, but infrastructure is not well-developed.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Buses connect to other cities, but schedules can be inconsistent.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are available, especially in tourist areas.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Decent mobile coverage, but rural areas may experience drops.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
Most VPN services work well, providing good online security.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Generally reliable, but occasional outages can occur.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi options; mostly found in cafes and some public areas.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are easy to obtain, but longer-term options can be complex.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; some incentives for foreign investors.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
70%
Weight: 15
Generally good freedom of speech, though some limitations exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
75%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable political environment, with occasional protests.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Can be bureaucratic; requirements vary for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45%
Weight: 10
Can be complex and time-consuming for new businesses.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
40%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa; options are limited.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Increasingly becoming more nomad-friendly, but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; community is small but growing.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Some online groups exist, but not as active as in larger hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
65%
Weight: 100
Generally safe, but petty crime can occur; caution is advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally welcoming to women, though caution is advised in certain areas.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Costa Rica is known for its diverse population and generally tolerant attitudes.