San José, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#920
9.932542, -84.079578
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | San José is the capital city of Costa Rica located in the Central Valley. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.4 million residents in the metropolitan area. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speeds are around 30-50 Mbps, with many cafes and coworking spaces offering free Wi-Fi. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Costa Rican Colón (CRC). 1 USD ≈ 600 CRC. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally safe to drink. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz. Plug type A/B. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from providers like Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut and local banks such as Banco Nacional are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local hostels, and hotels with monthly rental deals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, especially Visa and Mastercard. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and local real estate agents. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Pangea is a popular choice. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Selina Coworking offers flexible desk prices starting at $10/day. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Mundo is known for its relaxed atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Costa Rica Tech Meetup occurs monthly for networking in the tech community. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook group 'Expats in Costa Rica' often hosts local meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and the local app, Cabify, serve San José well. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycle rentals available at Rent a Bike or through local shops. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Jaco Beach is the closest, approximately 1.5 hours away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Sansa Airlines connects major cities within Costa Rica. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France, Delta, and United offer flights to/from San José. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Highway 1 (Interamericana) provides major access north and south. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The main transit hub is the Trenes de Costa Rica station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Value cards are available for bus transport in San José. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses to nearby cities like Escazu and Heredia are frequent. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital San Juan de Dios is a major healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Santosha Yoga offers various classes in the city. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Multi-Sport offers modern facilities and memberships. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavaxpress provides convenient laundry services in the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Yummy are popular for food delivery in San José. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Gallo Pinto is a traditional rice and beans dish popular for breakfast. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Café de los Deseos offers great vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | La Prieta serves delicious pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Central has a variety of local foods and souvenirs. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local store MásXMenos offers online delivery services. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercados Econo provides grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Barrio Escalante is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Costa Rica Beer Factory is a notable local brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bodegas de la Calle offers an excellent selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors in the city center offer affordable local snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Mercado de la Merced features multiple international food options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Teatro Nacional is an iconic cultural landmark. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo del Oro Precolombino features gold artifacts from ancient civilizations. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Catedral Metropolitana is a significant historical site in the city. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia de la Merced is a prominent church to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | La Feria Internacional is a major annual festival in November. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Barrio Amón is known for its historic architecture and artsy vibe. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Popular Melico Salazar hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Municipal de Desamparados offers local goods and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | El Pueblo showcases local artists and bands. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Escalante Street features vibrant murals and street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Costa Rican Cooking School offers immersive classes for all levels. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería Nacional de Costa Rica presents local and international art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The National Museum is located in a historic fortress. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The local culture is deeply influenced by indigenous and Spanish heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo offers trails and wildlife. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Manuel Antonio National Park is approximately 2.5 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Simón Bolívar Park has excellent paths for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mirador La Cruz offers stunning views of the Central Valley. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | La Paz Waterfall Gardens is ideal for birdwatching with diverse species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Many parks allow fires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx are available for package delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | TechLovers provides reliable tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Some gyms and community centers have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto de Lenguas offers classes for various languages. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Nacional offers a quiet studying environment. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano hosts various cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer's Plaza provides a venue for gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Rio offers gaming and entertainment options. |
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. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $102,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $128,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 25%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT is 13%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, rules apply to foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | 1.25% of property value annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 1.5% applied during property purchases. |