AI estimate Updated Mar 22, 2026 About guide entries
Culture and Attractions
- Religious Sites
- Catedral Metropolitana de San José
- Must-See Landmarks
- Teatro Nacional (National Theatre), Plaza de la Democracia
- Museums & Art Venues
- Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MAC)
- Historical Sites
- Castillo Azul, Edificio Metálico
- Annual Events
- Transitarte Cultural Festival (March), Festival de la Luz (December)
- Cultural Districts
- Barrio Escalante (Gastronomy), Barrio Amón (Architecture)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Popular Melico Salazar
- Local Markets
- Feria del Agricultor (Weekend farmer markets in Zapote)
- Music Scene
- Jazz Café (Escazú), El Observatorio
- Street Art
- Graffiti in Barrio Los Yoses and murals along Avenida Central
- Cooking Classes
- The Costa Rican Cooking Class (located near Central Market)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria Namu (Indigenous art), Klaus Steinmetz Contemporary
- Historic Buildings
- National Museum (Former Bellavista Fortress)
- Local Heritage
- The oxcart (Carreta) lifestyle symbol, Pura Vida philosophy
Essentials
- City
- San José, San José Province, Costa Rica
- Population
- 340,000 (Central), 2.1 million (Greater Metropolitan Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-200 Mbps (Fiber optic available via Kolbi or Liberty)
- Currency & Banking
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC); 1 USD ≈ 515 CRC. US Dollars widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and safe in the metropolitan area
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Liberty or Kolbi; approx. $20 for 10GB data (available at SJO Airport)
- Banking for Expats
- BAC Credomatic (best app/tech), Banco Nacional, or Revolut (for spending)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Encuentra24 (local listings), or Selina San José
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in 95% of urban establishments
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Escazú/Santa Ana areas), VRBO
- Budget Accommodation
- Capital Hostel de Ciudad ($25/night), TripOn Open House ($18/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Barrio Amón (Historic) or Barrio Escalante (Food scene)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Barrio Escalante for social life or Escazú for premium amenities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Impact Hub San José ($20 day pass, $250 monthly)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Franco in Barrio Escalante (Great Wi-Fi and power outlets)
- Networking Events
- Startup Grind San José, CreativeMornings SJ
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations San José, 'Expats in Costa Rica' Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (Mainstream), Didi (Cheaper), or red taxis (official)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- OmniBikes (app-based electric bike sharing)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Jacó (1.5 - 2 hours drive via Route 27)
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (Flying out of Juan Santamaría Terminal)
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, Copa Airlines, Volaris Costa Rica
- Highway Access
- Route 27 (to Pacific), Route 32 (to Caribbean), Route 1 (Interamerican)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Estación del Atlántico (Commuter trains to Cartago/Heredia)
- Public Transport Passes
- Electronic card 'SINPE-TP' used on most San José train routes
- Regional Travel
- Interbus (shuttles), Terminal 7-10 (bus hub for long distance)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CIMA Hospital (Escazú) or Clínica Bíblica (Downtown) - both JCI accredited
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Downtown Yoga Costa Rica (Barrio Amón), El Parque (Escazú)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- MultiSpa (Premium, multiple locations), Smart Fit ($25-35/month)
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Pressto (Escazú), DryClean USA (Multiple locations)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, PedidosYa
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto (Breakfast) or Chifrijo (Bar snack)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- LuvBurger (Vegan burgers), Árbol de Seda (Barrio Escalante)
- Best Dessert Spots
- POPS (Local ice cream chain), Moyo (Frozen yogurt)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central (Downtown), Walmart (San Sebastián)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Unimart.com (Local Amazon alternative), Tienda Mia
- Grocery Delivery
- Auto Mercado (High-end), PriceSmart (Bulk)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle 33 in Barrio Escalante (Craft beer and cocktails)
- Local Brewery
- Costa Rica Beer Factory, Treintaycinco (Artisan beers)
- Wine Bars
- Bottega (Guachipelín), Vinyl Box Fine Thai & Records
- Street Food Stalls
- Mercado Calle Nacional, Central Market 'Sodas'
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Esquina de Buenos Aires (Argentine Steakhouse), Pesca Seafood
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens (1 hour), Volcán Poás
- National Parks Nearby
- Braulio Carrillo National Park, Irazú Volcano National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Parque La Sabana (Large urban park), Parque del Este
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador Tiquicia (Escazú mountains - panoramic city views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- University of Costa Rica (UCR) campus, Lankester Botanical Garden
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prusia Forest (Designated picnic/hiking areas in Irazú)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (Box Correos for US address forwarding)
- Tech Repair Services
- iCon (Apple Authorized), Soporte Técnico (Paseo de las Flores)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Table Tennis Academy (Parque de la Paz)
- Language Classes
- Spanish by the Sea, CRLA (Costa Rican Language Academy)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Nacional Miguel Obregón Lizano
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano
- Gaming Lounges
- Vortex Gaming Center
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Fiesta, Grand Casino Escazú
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² ($84,000 for 40m²)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² ($64,000 for 40m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² ($120,000 for 60m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,450 per m² ($87,000 for 60m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² ($152,000 for 80m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,350 per m² ($108,000 for 80m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard), lower rates for Small Business (SMEs)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial Tax System (Income earned outside Costa Rica is not taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (On employment income)
- VAT
- 13% (locally known as IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None (due to territorial system)
- Property Tax
- 0.25% annually of the registered value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% transfer tax plus legal fees (approx. 3-4% total)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Law: 0% income tax on foreign source income and duty-free import of equipment
About these guide entries
- Method
- AI estimate
- Last updated
- Mar 22, 2026
- Generated by
- Model not recorded
- Last changed
- None yet
Generated by an AI model without cited sources and not yet checked by research. A research pass replaces these values with sourced ones, compared with similar cities.