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Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica π¨π·
#931
,
Nomad Score:
64%
π° Cost & Affordability
πΈ 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.
π 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.
π Food & Groceries
75%
Weight: 40
Local produce and street food are affordable; imported groceries and dining in tourist spots are pricier.
π Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public buses and shared shuttles are inexpensive; limited taxi services can be more costly.
ποΈ Entertainment Cost
69%
Weight: 15
Affordable local entertainment options like beach activities and cultural events; nightlife can be pricier.
ποΈ Gym Membership Cost
54%
Weight: 10
Limited gyms with moderate pricing; some boutique fitness studios charge premium rates.
π± Currency Stability
80%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colΓ³n is relatively stable with low inflation, supported by tourism and remittances.
π» Digital Nomad Essentials
π Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-30 Mbps; occasional outages in remote areas but generally sufficient for remote work.
π₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
42%
Weight: 40
Few dedicated coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or accommodations with WiFi.
β Cafes with WiFi
73%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent connectivity, popular among digital nomads.
π»β Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
A handful of cafes cater specifically to remote workers with power outlets and comfortable seating.
π Digital Nomad Popularity
59%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among eco-tourists and surfers than large nomad communities.
π± Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
π Quality of Life
βοΈ Work-Life Balance
84%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with easy access to nature supports a healthy work-life balance.
π³ Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Excellent natural environment with lush rainforests, beaches, and biodiversity.
π§Ό Cleanliness
61%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas affected by tourist waste and limited municipal services.
π¨οΈ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English is spoken in tourist and expat areas but limited elsewhere.
π¨ Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to coastal location and abundant greenery.
π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Family Friendly
59%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and outdoor activities but limited schooling and healthcare.
π₯ Healthcare
π₯ Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare facilities available locally; more advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
π Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable; private clinics and insurance cost more but still reasonable.
π₯ Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Adequate for minor issues; serious medical conditions require evacuation or travel.
πΏ Climate & Environment
βοΈ Weather
86%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November can be intense.
πͺοΈ Natural Disaster Risk
53%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of hurricanes and heavy rains causing flooding; low earthquake risk compared to other regions.
ποΈ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and forests surrounding the town.
βοΈ Air Conditioning
51%
Weight: 15
Limited air conditioning in many accommodations; fans are common but may be insufficient during hot months.
π Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation; distinct wet and dry seasons but temperature remains stable.
π Noise Pollution
54%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise from nightlife and tourist activity; quieter in off-season.
π Culture & Entertainment
π Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich Afro-Caribbean and indigenous influences with vibrant local traditions and festivals.
π Nightlife
56%
Weight: 15
Small but lively nightlife scene focused on beach bars and live music.
ποΈ Outdoors & Nature
98%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for surfing, hiking, wildlife watching, and beach activities.
π£οΈ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish language schools and informal learning through locals.
π§ Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, cultural experiences, and adventure activities available.
π³ Indoors Fun
41%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is on outdoor lifestyle.
π Food & Fitness
π½οΈ Food Scene
72%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local Caribbean and Costa Rican cuisine; some international options.
π§ Yoga Studios
64%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers catering to tourists and nomads.
ποΈ Fitness Facilities
50%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor activities preferred.
π₯ Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood widely available; organic options growing.
πΌ Work Environment
π°οΈ Time Zone Favorability
79%
Weight: 20
GMT-6 time zone aligns well with North American working hours.
π€ Networking Opportunities
45%
Weight: 25
Small digital nomad community limits networking; more informal meetups.
π» Remote Job Opportunities
38%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most remote jobs come from outside connections.
π Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Freelance infrastructure is minimal; reliance on global platforms.
π’ Coworking Quality
39%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; not comparable to urban hubs.
π Business & Economy
π Startup Scene
27%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup ecosystem; focus is on tourism and local services.
π³ Local Payment Services
55%
Weight: 10
Cash is common; some acceptance of cards and mobile payments but limited fintech options.
π Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
33%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; limited local services accepting crypto.
π Transportation
βοΈ Airport Connectivity
48%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is in San JosΓ©, about 4 hours away; local airstrip has limited flights.
π Public Transit
59%
Weight: 20
Basic bus services available but infrequent; no urban transit system.
πΆ Walkability
67%
Weight: 20
Small town layout allows for walking but some roads lack sidewalks.
π Ride-sharing Services
34%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps like Uber are limited or unavailable; taxis are primary option.
π² Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but roads can be narrow and hilly; some bike rental options.
π Intercity Travel Options
52%
Weight: 15
Buses connect to other cities but travel times are long; limited private shuttle services.
π΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are common and affordable for local travel.
π‘ Connectivity
π± Mobile Network Coverage
71%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in town; rural areas may have weaker signals.
π VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with stable internet; no known restrictions.
β‘ Power Grid Reliability
64%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during storms but generally reliable power supply.
πΆ Public WiFi Availability
57%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi limited mostly to cafes and some public areas.
βοΈ Legal & Administrative
π Visa Ease
76%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa-free entry for many nationalities; 90-day stay common.
π Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
No special digital nomad tax regime; standard tax rules apply.
π£οΈ Freedom of Speech
89%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of expression.
ποΈ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
π¦ Ease of Opening Bank Account
46%
Weight: 15
Lengthy process with strict documentation; non-residents face challenges.
π Ease of Business Registration
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; possible with local assistance.
πβοΈ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
π Digital Nomad Community
π Nomad Friendly
61%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community but limited infrastructure tailored for nomads.
π€ Nomad Events & Meetups
37%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; mostly informal gatherings.
ππ₯ Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups focused on Puerto Viejo.
π‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance
π‘οΈ Safety
68%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists; petty crime exists but violent crime is rare.
βοΈ Female Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Moderately safe and welcoming; some caution advised at night.
β Racial Tolerance
77%
Weight: 50
Diverse community with Afro-Caribbean heritage; generally tolerant and inclusive.