Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#931
,
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to urban centers, but higher than other parts of Costa Rica due to its tourist appeal.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but can spike during high tourist seasons; options range from shared rooms to private bungalows.
🍎 Food & Groceries
75%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; imported goods and dining out can be pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transport is cheap but limited; many rely on bikes or scooters which are affordable to rent.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Many free or low-cost outdoor activities; nightlife and tours can be moderately priced.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
54%
Weight: 10
Limited gym facilities; memberships tend to be pricier due to scarcity.
💱 Currency Stability
80%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation rates.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Decent speeds in town center; occasional outages and slower speeds in more remote areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
51%
Weight: 40
Few dedicated coworking spaces; some cafes offer work-friendly environments.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Several cafes provide reliable WiFi and comfortable seating.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
73%
Weight: 30
Growing number of cafes catering to remote workers with power outlets and good internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
62%
Weight: 100
Increasingly popular but still less crowded than major nomad hubs.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
86%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with easy access to nature supports excellent balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
91%
Weight: 15
Lush tropical environment with clean beaches and protected natural areas.
🧼 Cleanliness
68%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas can be affected by tourist traffic and waste management challenges.
🗨️ Language Barrier
57%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is spoken in tourist areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to coastal location and abundant greenery.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; more advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable; private clinics are pricier but still reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious medical needs require travel.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
84%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of hurricanes and flooding during rainy season; low earthquake risk.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and rainforest areas nearby.
❄️ Air Conditioning
52%
Weight: 15
Limited AC in many accommodations; fans are more common.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
31%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mostly wet and dry seasons.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich Afro-Caribbean and indigenous influences with vibrant local traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
58%
Weight: 15
Small but lively nightlife scene focused on bars and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
97%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, rainforests, and wildlife.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish schools available; immersion possible but limited formal options.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Wide variety of eco-tours, cultural experiences, and adventure activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Good mix of local Caribbean cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
69%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
53%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms; outdoor fitness activities more common.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
82%
Weight: 20
Central Standard Time (UTC-6) aligns well with North and South American time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Small but growing community; informal meetups more common than formal events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
42%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community but still small.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; not highly developed.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
38%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem; focus is more on tourism and hospitality.
💳 Local Payment Services
64%
Weight: 10
Cash is common; mobile payments growing but not widespread.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption; some interest but infrastructure lacking.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
47%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is in San José, about 4-5 hours away by road.
🚇 Public Transit
49%
Weight: 20
Limited local bus services; no urban transit system.
🚶 Walkability
65%
Weight: 20
Town center is walkable but some areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
35%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of ride-sharing apps; taxis more common.
🚲 Cycling
72%
Weight: 10
Popular mode of transport; flat terrain and bike rentals available.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
51%
Weight: 15
Buses connect to other cities but travel times are long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
78%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals widely available and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good coverage in town; weaker signals in remote areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
83%
Weight: 20
Reliable VPN connections generally available.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
74%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during storms but generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi limited mostly to cafes and some public areas.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
76%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa valid for 90 days; extensions possible but no specific nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60%
Weight: 30
No tax on foreign income but local income is taxed; moderate complexity.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
89%
Weight: 15
Strong protections and open society.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
52%
Weight: 15
Lengthy process with strict requirements for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; possible with local assistance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of April 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community but infrastructure still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
50%
Weight: 25
Occasional informal meetups; no large-scale events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active social media groups but smaller than major hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
74%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
78%
Weight: 50
Diverse community with good racial tolerance and inclusivity.