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San José, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#920 ,

Nomad Score: 70%

Essentials

🏙️ City San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, known for its vibrant culture and rich history.
👥 Population Approximately 1.5 million people live in the Greater San José area.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 25-50 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking Currency is Costa Rican Colón (CRC). 1 USD ≈ 600 CRC.
🚰 Tap Water Drinkable but bottled water is recommended in some areas.
🔌 Power Electricity is 120V, 60Hz, with Type A and B sockets.
📶 SIM Card Major mobile providers include Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar.
💳 Banking for Expats Banks like BAC Credomatic, Banco Nacional, and Scotiabank accept international cards.
🛌 Accommodation Affordable options include Airbnb, local apartments, and co-living spaces.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are widely accepted, though cash is preferred in some markets.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and Vrbo are popular choices for short stays.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel Pangea and La Casa de las Flores are good budget-friendly options.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists Escalante and Amon are popular neighborhoods for tourists, offering vibrant nightlife and dining options.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Santa Teresa and San Pedro are popular areas for long-term stays among digital nomads.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Impact Hub in San José offers top-notch facilities and a community for networking.
Best Cafe for Work Café del Barista is known for its excellent coffee and work-friendly atmosphere.
💼 Networking Events Tech events and meetups are frequently held at venues like Café Ruta Santa.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Check out the Expats in Costa Rica Facebook group for community events and meetups.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber operates in San José, offering reliable transportation.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Mobike provides bike rental services across major districts.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Jaco Beach is approximately 1.5 hours away from San José.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Sansa Airlines is the main regional carrier within Costa Rica.
✈️ Top International Airline American Airlines and Delta Airlines provide multiple flights to and from San José.
🛣️ Highway Access Route 27 connects San José to the Pacific coast and other major cities.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub San José's main bus terminal is Terminal 7-10 with routes across the country.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Public transport cards can be purchased for bus services across the city.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses are available to nearby cities like Alajuela and Heredia, with cheap rates.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Hospital Mexico is one of the leading hospitals in San José.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga House San José offers a variety of classes for different skill levels.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers 24/7 Gym provides various fitness programs and memberships.
🧺 Laundry Services Clean Laundry offers quick and reliable laundry services in central San José.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Uber Eats and Domicilios.com are popular choices for delivery.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Gallo Pinto, a rice and beans dish, is a must-try local specialty.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Places like Café de los Deseos and Café Brasil offer great plant-based dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots L’atelier de Michel serves some of the finest pastries and desserts in the city.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Mercado Central offers a variety of local food products and snacks.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Local online marketplaces include MercadoLibre and Linio.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Supermercado Automercado offers grocery delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area The Barrio Escalante area is known for its vibrant nightlife and numerous bars.
🍻 Local Brewery Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co. is a popular local beer producer.
🍷 Wine Bars La Concha de la Lora is a trendy wine bar worth visiting.
🍲 Street Food Stalls The street food scene around Plaza de la Cultura offers a variety of local eats.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Restaurante Silvestre serves a fusion of international flavors with local ingredients.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum are highlights.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Museo de Arte Costarricense houses an extensive collection of Costa Rican art.
🏰 Historical Sites The National Museum of Costa Rica is a significant historical site.
🕍 Religious Sites Iglesia de La Soledad is a beautiful historic church worth visiting.
🎉 Annual Events Fiesta de la Dulces Tradiciones is celebrated every December.
🎨 Cultural Districts Barrio Amon is known for its artsy vibe and historical architecture.
🎭 Theater Venues Teatro Melico Salazar hosts various performances and concerts.
🛍️ Local Markets Mercado Artesanal offers handcrafted goods and souvenirs.
🎼 Music Scene The Jazz Café features live music and attracts a vibrant crowd.
🎨 Street Art The streets in the downtown area are filled with vibrant murals.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Classes at Casa de la Cultura offer a taste of local culinary techniques.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Galería de Arte Costarricense showcases local artists and their work.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The National Theater and the Post Office Building are architectural gems.
🏴 Local Heritage The Guanacaste Flag represents Costa Rican culture and history.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes La Sabana Metropolitan Park offers green space and recreational activities.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Poás Volcano National Park is approximately 1.5 hours away.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The paths around La Sabana park provide great walking and biking opportunities.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The viewpoints in Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo offer breathtaking landscapes.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations The La Paz Waterfall Gardens are great for spotting diverse bird species.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated areas in parks like La Sabana allow for bonfires.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and FedEx provide reliable shipping services in the city.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Store La Costa Rica in Escazú offers electronics repair services.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Sports facilities at Parque La Sabana have tables for public use.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Instituto Cultural offers Spanish classes for expats and travelers.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Biblioteca Nacional de Costa Rica is a great spot for reading and studying.
🏘️ Community Centers Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano hosts cultural events and language classes.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges E-sports venues like PlayZone are available for gaming enthusiasts.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Casino Fiesta offers a range of gaming options and entertainment.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $132,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000)
💼 Corporate Tax Corporate tax rate is 30%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax Withholding tax on dividends is 15%.
🏦 Tax System Resident taxes are based on worldwide income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket Max personal income tax rate is 25%.
🧾 VAT Value Added Tax is 13%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, Costa Rica has CFC rules in place.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax is approximately 0.25% of the property's value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Transaction tax is 1.5% during property purchases.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Digital nomads may benefit from 0% tax on foreign income if not tax-resident.

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