Forum
Analytics
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#922
,
Nomad Score:
68%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major cities; higher than inland Costa Rica but cheaper than many Western countries.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
62%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are on the higher side due to popularity among tourists and nomads, but still reasonable compared to urban centers.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer fresh produce at good prices; imported goods can be expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
65%
Weight: 20
Limited public transport; reliance on scooters or taxis can add up but generally affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Affordable local entertainment options like beach activities and small bars; nightlife is moderate in cost.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
54%
Weight: 10
Gyms exist but are limited and somewhat pricey compared to local income levels.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation rates.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-50 Mbps; can be inconsistent due to infrastructure and weather.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
53%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces available; mostly small and seasonal.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
74%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
67%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to nomads with power outlets and decent WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
72%
Weight: 100
Growing community but still smaller compared to hubs like Bali or Chiang Mai.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
82%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with emphasis on outdoor activities and nature.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Pristine beaches, clean air, and lush surroundings.
🧼 Cleanliness
76%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas can have litter due to tourism.
🗨️ Language Barrier
51%
Weight: 30
Spanish is primary; English is common in tourist areas but limited elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to coastal location and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Limited schools and family services; better suited for solo or couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
69%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; better facilities in larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Affordable compared to Western standards, especially public healthcare.
🏥 Healthcare
73%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious cases require travel to San José.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
84%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season from May to November.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms.
🏞️ Green Spaces
91%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, forests, and beaches.
❄️ Air Conditioning
63%
Weight: 15
Not always standard in accommodations; fans more common.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
68%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet but can be noisy during tourist high season.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
79%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with strong indigenous and colonial influences.
🌃 Nightlife
58%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly beach bars and small clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
95%
Weight: 15
Excellent opportunities for surfing, hiking, and wildlife watching.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish schools and informal learning through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Many eco-tours, surfing lessons, and cultural experiences available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
47%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; focus is on outdoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local and international cuisine, with emphasis on fresh seafood.
🧠 Yoga Studios
71%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios catering to tourists and nomads.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
55%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; outdoor fitness is popular.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
79%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
GMT-6, convenient for North and South American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
56%
Weight: 25
Small but growing digital nomad community with occasional meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
42%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; mostly reliant on global remote work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
48%
Weight: 20
Freelance infrastructure is minimal; nomads mostly self-sufficient.
🏢 Coworking Quality
51%
Weight: 30
Basic facilities; not many high-end coworking spaces.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
37%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup ecosystem in Santa Teresa itself.
💳 Local Payment Services
64%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and card acceptance improving but still limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
45%
Weight: 15
Low adoption locally; some interest among expats.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
49%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is San José, about 4-5 hours away.
🚇 Public Transit
38%
Weight: 20
Very limited public transportation options.
🚶 Walkability
67%
Weight: 20
Walkable within town but distances between amenities can be long.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
43%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of Uber and similar services.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Popular mode of transport but infrastructure is basic.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
52%
Weight: 15
Buses available but infrequent; private shuttles common.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
78%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals widely available and affordable.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good coverage in town; rural areas less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
81%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with stable internet.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
73%
Weight: 15
Generally reliable with occasional outages during storms.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and some public spots.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
75%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa easy to obtain; 90-day stay common.
📊 Tax Friendliness
59%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax policies; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
88%
Weight: 15
Strong protections and democratic environment.
🏛️ Political Stability
84%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
47%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires documentation and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
53%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; process can be slow for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
65%
Weight: 35
Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa with reasonable requirements.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Welcoming community with growing infrastructure for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
54%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups; no large-scale events regularly.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
61%
Weight: 20
Active Facebook groups and forums but smaller than major hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
73%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; diverse tourist population.