Santa Teresa, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
#922
,
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major cities; living costs are higher than inland Costa Rica but cheaper than many Western cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are on the higher side due to popularity among expats and tourists, especially for beachfront properties.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; imported goods and dining out can be moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Limited public transport; most rely on scooters or rental cars which are reasonably priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
69%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but affordable, with many outdoor activities free or low cost.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gyms and fitness centers exist but are fewer and somewhat pricey compared to urban centers.
💱 Currency Stability
80%
Weight: 30
Costa Rican colón is relatively stable with low inflation rates.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
67%
Weight: 100
Internet is generally reliable with speeds around 20-50 Mbps; occasional outages in remote areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces available; mostly small, community-driven setups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
72%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
68%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to nomads with power outlets and decent WiFi.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
70%
Weight: 100
Growing community of digital nomads attracted by the beach lifestyle.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
SIM cards easy to purchase with good prepaid plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on relaxation and outdoor activities supports good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Clean beaches and natural surroundings with good environmental protections.
🧼 Cleanliness
76%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas can have litter due to tourism.
🗨️ Language Barrier
55%
Weight: 30
Spanish is primary; English is spoken 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
Suitable for families but limited schooling and healthcare options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available locally; more advanced care requires travel to larger cities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are affordable compared to North America and Europe.
🏥 Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious conditions require travel.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
83%
Weight: 80
Warm tropical climate with a dry season preferred by most nomads; rainy season can be intense.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional tropical storms.
🏞️ Green Spaces
90%
Weight: 10
Abundant natural parks, beaches, and forests nearby.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Many accommodations have AC but not universal; fans are common.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
35%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation beyond wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
68%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet but tourist seasons can increase noise levels.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich Costa Rican culture with local festivals and traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
58%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly bars and beach parties.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
95%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to surfing, hiking, and wildlife.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some Spanish schools and informal opportunities available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
82%
Weight: 10
Wide range of eco-tours, surfing lessons, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
45%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
70%
Weight: 25
Good variety of local and international cuisine, with emphasis on fresh seafood.
🧠 Yoga Studios
73%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios catering to tourists and nomads.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
61%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms but outdoor fitness activities are popular.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
77%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and organic options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
79%
Weight: 20
GMT-6, convenient for North and South American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Small but growing digital nomad community with occasional events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most rely on remote work from abroad.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45%
Weight: 20
Limited local freelance ecosystem; mostly international clients.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with essential amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
38%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity in the area.
💳 Local Payment Services
62%
Weight: 10
Cash and cards widely accepted; mobile payments growing but limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; some interest but infrastructure lacking.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
48%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is about 3 hours away; local airstrips have limited service.
🚇 Public Transit
35%
Weight: 20
Very limited public transportation options.
🚶 Walkability
65%
Weight: 20
Small town layout allows walking but some areas require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
40%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing apps are limited or unavailable; taxis are common.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but roads can be challenging and safety varies.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50%
Weight: 15
Bus services available but infrequent and slow.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
75%
Weight: 10
Scooter and bike rentals are popular and widely available.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good coverage in town; rural areas less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with stable internet.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
70%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and coworking spots.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
78%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa easy to obtain; 90-day stay common without special visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60%
Weight: 30
No tax on foreign income but local tax laws can be complex.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
85%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Banking requires paperwork and local presence; can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Process is possible but involves some bureaucracy and time.
📄✈️ 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
Growing infrastructure and community support for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events, but not frequent.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for nomads in Costa Rica.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
67%
Weight: 100
Generally safe but petty crime exists; caution advised at night.
♀️ Female Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly with some cultural conservatism.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with diverse population.