Wise Logo

Low-fee international transfers.

Try Wise
Affiliate disclosure

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#922 ,

Nomad Score: 68%

Essentials

🏙️ City Santa Teresa is a small beach town located on the Nicoya Peninsula, known for its breathtaking sunsets, surf spots, and laid-back vibe.
👥 Population Approximately 5,000 residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average speed of 20-30 Mbps; higher speeds available at coworking spaces.
💸 Currency & Banking Costa Rican Colón (CRC). 1 USD ≈ 600 CRC.
🚰 Tap Water Not entirely drinkable; it's recommended to buy bottled water.
🔌 Power 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets.
📶 SIM Card Claro and Kolbi are popular providers with good coverage in the area.
💳 Banking for Expats Visa, Mastercard, and some places accept US dollars.
🛌 Accommodation Options range from luxury villas to budget hostels and Airbnb rentals.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, many places accept cards, but it's advisable to carry cash.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local property management companies offer numerous listings.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel La Posada is a popular choice with beds starting at $15 per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The Playa Santa Teresa area is recommended for its proximity to the beach.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Mal País is ideal for long-term stays, offering quieter surroundings and good internet options.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space The Hive, featuring high-speed internet and a community atmosphere.
☕ Best Cafe for Work Cafe Social, which offers reliable Wi-Fi and a productive environment.
💼 Networking Events Frequent meetups and surf classes organized via local Facebook groups.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Expat community potlucks and gatherings happening regularly, found in local groups online.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber operates in nearby towns but not always consistently; local taxis are available.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Santa Teresa Rentals offers bikes and scooters starting at $10 per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Playa Santa Teresa, just seconds away, known for its surf and sunsets.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Sansa Airlines for domestic flights to San José.
✈️ Top International Airline Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is the primary international hub.
🛣️ Highway Access Road access is primarily via Route 160, which connects to larger towns.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub No train service; buses connect Santa Teresa to other regions.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Buses are available for intercity travel, with no passes; tickets are paid per trip.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses travel to nearby Nicoya and San José regularly.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital CIMA Hospital in San José, 4 hours away, or local clinics for basic needs.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Institute Santa Teresa hosts various classes, suitable for all levels.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Karma Fitness offers gym access and classes; memberships start at $50/month.
🧺 Laundry Services Local laundromats available; San Juan laundry offers drop-off services.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Rappi and Glovo operate in the area for meal deliveries.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Casado, a traditional Costa Rican dish featuring rice, beans, salad, and your choice of protein.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Cafe Organic offers diverse vegetarian and vegan meals in a cozy atmosphere.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots La Boulangerie is well-known for its pastries and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Local Mercado Santa Teresa for fresh produce and budget shopping.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Supermercado Santa Teresa for grocery shopping and home delivery services.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Walmart Costa Rica offers online shopping and delivery.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Enjoy nightlife at The Hideout and Kina Surf Bar.
🍻 Local Brewery Brew Rock, with local craft beers in a relaxed setting.
🍷 Wine Bars DiVino offers a selection of wines from various regions.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Taco and Fresco stalls are common for quick bites.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Zula offers Mediterranean dishes in a scenic setting.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Visit the iconic surfing spots like Playa Hermosa and Montezuma Waterfall.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Cultural art galleries can be found scattered throughout Santa Teresa.
🏰 Historical Sites Nearby historical sites include the town of Cobano.
🕍 Religious Sites Iglesia de Santa Teresa is the main church in the town.
🎉 Annual Events Feria de Santa Teresa, a local festival held annually in December, featuring music and culture.
🎨 Cultural Districts The main street in Santa Teresa is lively with shops, cafes, and local artists.
🎭 Theater Venues Local beach events and movie nights take place frequently.
🛍️ Local Markets Farmers' markets on Fridays are popular for fresh, local produce.
🎼 Music Scene Regular live music at venues like The Hideout and 2 for 1 Pizza.
🎨 Street Art Local artists often display their work on walls across the town.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Tamarindo Cooking Classes offers classes focusing on local dishes.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries The Sea of Art showcases local artists in an outdoor setting.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Old wooden houses and structures from the early 20th century can be found around town.
🏴 Local Heritage Costa Rican culture is celebrated through music and food festivals.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Exploring Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is a must for nature lovers.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Corcovado National Park is a notable nearby option for biodiversity.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Various trails around the beaches and through the forests provide opportunities for hikes.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The lookout points offer breathtaking views of the coastline.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations The Nicoya Peninsula is rich in bird species, especially around local reserves.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Certain areas on Playa Santa Teresa allow for bonfires; check local regulations.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service Correo de Costa Rica handles regular mail and parcel delivery.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local shops in Santa Teresa offer basic tech support and repairs.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots The local community center occasionally provides ping pong tables.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Several language schools offer Spanish classes for foreign residents.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Local cafes and coworking spaces serve as popular study spots.
🏘️ Community Centers Centro de la Cultura in nearby Cobano is active with events.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Casual gaming events are sometimes organized in community spaces.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls No casinos in Santa Teresa; nearby towns have basic gaming facilities.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $80,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $138,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $240,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $200,000).
💼 Corporate Tax 30% standard corporate tax rate.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 15% tax rate applied to dividend distributions.
🏦 Tax System Territorial taxation basis; income sourced within Costa Rica is taxed.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 25% maximum personal income tax rate.
🧾 VAT 13% standard VAT rate.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, Costa Rica applies rules to limit tax avoidance strategies.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax is approximately 0.25% of property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Purchase tax is approximately 1.5% of the property value.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads 0% tax on foreign income for non-residents.