🇨🇷 Santa Teresa,
Costa Rica
#922
Nomad Score
6.3
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9.9307101, -83.7786279
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Santa Teresa, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 3,500 permanent residents |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Starlink and fiber optic now widely available, averaging 50-100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Costa Rican Colón (CRC); 1 USD ≈ 505 CRC. USD is widely accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally safe in main centers, but many nomads prefer bottled or filtered water due to high mineral content. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada) |
| 📶 SIM Card | Liberty (formerly Movistar) or Claro; available at San Jose airport or local 'pulperias'. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | BNCR (Banco Nacional) has an ATM in town; Revolut and Wise work at most card terminals. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Selina Santa Teresa North/South for community; private villas for long-term stays. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, card payments are standard in restaurants, but keep cash for small sodas and surf rentals. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and VRBO are dominant; prices range $1,500 - $4,000/month. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Somos Surf House (dorms from $35/night) or Don Jon’s Lodge ($25/night). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Playa Carmen for proximity to shops, restaurants, and the main crossroads. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Playa Hermosa (North) for quieter atmosphere and high-end villas with better fiber connectivity. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Selina North (approx. $25/day or $250/month) with dedicated call booths and pool access. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Bakery (fast Wi-Fi, great coffee, and AC) or Ani's Bowls (outdoor seating with reliable power). |
| 💼 Networking Events | Entrepreneur meetups often held at Somos on Thursday nights. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Sunset bonfire sessions at Playa Santa Teresa; 'Santa Teresa Community' Facebook group. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | No Uber/Bolt; use local WhatsApp taxi groups or 'Taxi Santa Teresa' (+506 8325-1010). |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | ATV rentals are standard due to dirt roads; 'Pacific Dirt Road' ($50-$70/day). |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Playa Hermosa for its wide sand expanse and beginner-friendly surf breaks. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Sansa Airlines (flights from San Jose to Tambor Airport, 45 mins away). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) served by United, American, and KLM. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Route 160 (unpaved in many sections) connects to Paquera for the ferry. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | No trains; the main bus terminal is San Jose's Terminal 7-10 for the direct bus. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Cobano-Santa Teresa local bus ($2); pay cash to the driver. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas ($1.50 per person) to reach the mainland. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Clinica Santa Teresa (24/7 emergency); major cases go to Hospital Monseñor Sanabria in Puntarenas. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Nalu (luxury studio) or Believe Surf & Yoga (drop-in classes approx. $20). |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gimnasio Santa Teresa (Open-air weight room near Playa Carmen). |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavanderia El Sol; approx. $10-$15 per load (wash, dry, fold). |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | No major apps; most restaurants offer WhatsApp delivery directly. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Casado (rice, beans, protein, salad) at Soda Tiquicia. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Eat Street (vendors like 'Happy Bowls') and Kook's Cafe. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Bakery (Famous for Almond Croissants and Cheesecake). |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Super Ronny #1 or Super La Hacienda for better bulk prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Unimart.com (CR-based Amazon alternative) delivers via Correos de Costa Rica. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Green World Store (organic and specialty groceries delivery). |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | La Lora Amarilla (iconic dance floor/reggae nights) and Somos. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Butterfly Brewing Co. (located nearby in the jungle hills). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Kika (live music and great wine selection by the beach). |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Argentinian Empanada stands along the 'Main Road' near Playa Carmen. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Zula Restaurant (highly rated Israeli cuisine near the beach). |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve (the first protected area in Costa Rica). |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | None in town; local craft fairs at the 'Feria de Santa Teresa' (Saturdays). |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The nearby village of Malpais (historic fishing roots of the peninsula). |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia Católica de Santa Teresa (small, community-focused). |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Envision Festival (Uvita, but many nomads stop in ST before/after in March). |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The 'Crossroads' (Playa Carmen) where local culture meets surf tourism. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Occasional outdoor cinema screenings at Selina South. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Saturday Organic Market at Playa Carmen beach entrance. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live acoustic sets at Banana Beach during sunset sessions. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals on the facade of Somos and Eat Street. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local 'Sodas' occasionally offer Tortilla making workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Art & Soul (local paintings and handmade jewelry). |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Traditional wooden 'Tico' houses in the Back-Roads area. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The 'Pura Vida' lifestyle - a focus on nature, surf, and slow living. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Montezuma Waterfalls (40-minute drive across the peninsula). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Curú National Wildlife Refuge (abundant monkeys and scarlet macaws). |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The beach itself is the main thoroughfare; walk from Malpais to Hermosa at low tide. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Vista de Olas (infinity pool bar overlooking the entire coastline). |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The forest canopy behind Playa Hermosa. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | North Santa Teresa beach (check local fire bans during dry season). |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correos de Costa Rica in Cóbano (15km away). |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Limited in town; most residents head to San Jose or use 'iFix' in Nicoya. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Selina Santa Teresa North common area. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Perfect Sunset School (Spanish immersion + Surf). |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | No public library; Zwart Art Cafe is a quiet book-filled space. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Santa Teresa Lifeguard association (community-funded facility). |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | None in town; focus is on outdoor activities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Not available; closest are in San Jose or Jaco. |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² studio = $192,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 in Manzanillo) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $270,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $336,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Progressive up to 30% depending on gross income. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% standard rate. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial tax system (only income earned within Costa Rica is taxed). |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 25% for individuals. |
| 🧾 VAT | 13% (locally known as IVA). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No, Costa Rica does not currently have CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | 0.25% of the registered property value annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 1.5% transfer tax + stamp duties (total approx. 2.4%). |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on foreign income for holders of the official Digital Nomad Visa. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING SANTA TERESA