Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#931
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to urban centers; local markets and eateries help keep costs down.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but can be higher in tourist hotspots; options range from shared rooms to private bungalows.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Fresh local produce is abundant and affordable; imported goods can be pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Public transport is cheap but limited; many rely on bikes or scooters.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
69%
Weight: 15
Affordable local entertainment options, though some tourist activities can be pricey.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
54%
Weight: 10
Gyms exist but are limited; membership fees are moderate.
💱 Currency Stability
72%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-30 Mbps; occasional outages in remote areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
41%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces; mostly small and basic setups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi with decent speeds.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
73%
Weight: 30
Many cafes welcome remote workers, though seating and power outlets can be limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
58%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche compared to larger Costa Rican cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with easy access to nature promotes good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Lush tropical environment with clean air and abundant greenery.
🧼 Cleanliness
62%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas affected by tourist traffic.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; English spoken in tourist and expat areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to coastal location and vegetation.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families seeking nature and outdoor activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
60%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; more advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable; private clinics cost more but still reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
63%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious conditions require travel.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
84%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of hurricanes and flooding during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
95%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and forests nearby.
❄️ Air Conditioning
48%
Weight: 15
Limited AC in many accommodations; fans more common.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
31%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mostly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise from nightlife and tourist traffic in some areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
76%
Weight: 20
Rich Afro-Caribbean and indigenous cultural influences.
🌃 Nightlife
50%
Weight: 15
Small but lively nightlife scene focused on bars and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
98%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for surfing, hiking, wildlife watching.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish schools and informal language exchanges available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
87%
Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, cultural experiences, and adventure activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
43%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly small bars and cafes.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Good mix of local Caribbean cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
51%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and outdoor fitness options; limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
79%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
GMT-6, convenient for North and Central American time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
40%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; mostly informal meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
35%
Weight: 20
Few local remote job openings; mostly reliant on global online platforms.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
42%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; growing but not well-established.
🏢 Coworking Quality
38%
Weight: 30
Basic facilities with limited amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
25%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup presence; more focused on tourism and hospitality.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and cards accepted; cash still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
30%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; limited local services supporting crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
47%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is 2-3 hours away; small regional airport nearby with limited flights.
🚇 Public Transit
39%
Weight: 20
Limited bus services; no metro or train.
🚶 Walkability
68%
Weight: 20
Walkable town center but limited sidewalks in some areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
20%
Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps; taxis and local drivers available.
🚲 Cycling
70%
Weight: 10
Popular mode of transport; bike rentals common.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
55%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect to other cities; travel times can be long.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
76%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals widely available and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
72%
Weight: 20
Good coverage in town; weaker in remote areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages during storms but generally stable.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
69%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
74%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa easy to obtain; 90-day stay without visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no special digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
88%
Weight: 15
Strong protections and open society.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
45%
Weight: 15
Lengthy process with strict documentation requirements.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; process can be slow.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
60%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with reasonable requirements.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Growing community and infrastructure but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
43%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups; no large-scale events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
55%
Weight: 20
Moderate presence on social media and forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
68%
Weight: 100
Generally safe but petty theft can occur, especially in tourist areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Respectful culture; some caution advised at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Diverse community with generally tolerant attitudes.