🇨🇷 Uvita,
Costa Rica
#2275
Nomad Score
6.1
Coords
9.1730967, -83.7363979
Likes
👍 0 👎 0
Actions
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | None (Closest is in Quepos at Best Western Marina). |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correos de Costa Rica (Local Post Office) or DHL in Quepos. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repuestos Uvita (basic computer/phone repair near the BM Supermarket). |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Selina Uvita common area. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Uvita Language Institute (Spanish immersion programs). |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Community Library at Bahía Ballena school. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Gecko Community Center (various workshops and events). |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Minimal; some gaming consoles available at Selina. |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $84,000 for a small modern unit). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 in more rural lots). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000 including land). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $240,000 for luxury jungle villa). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $176,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Progressive up to 30%; 5-20% for small businesses. |
| 💵 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% (Value Added Tax / IVA). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No strict CFC rules for non-local income. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Very low; 0.25% of the registered value annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 1.5% Real Estate Transfer Tax plus legal fees (approx. 3-4% total). |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Digital Nomad Visa (Law 10.008) offers 0% income tax on foreign-sourced income. |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Uvita, Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1,500 - 3,500 (fluctuates with seasonal tourism) |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Up to 100 Mbps via fiber optic; providers like Itellum and ICE/Kölbi are common. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Costa Rican Colón (CRC); 1 USD ≈ 510 CRC. USD is widely accepted in tourist areas. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally drinkable (ASADA managed), but many nomads prefer filtered or bottled water for long stays. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada). |
| 📶 SIM Card | Kölbi (best coverage in jungle), Libertad (formerly Movistar), and Claro. Available at BM Supermercado. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | BCR (Banco de Costa Rica) and Banco Nacional; Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs (expect $3-$5 fees). |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Boutique villas, eco-lodges, and jungle bungalows via Airbnb and VRBO. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards (Visa/MC) accepted at most restaurants and supermarkets; cash needed for small sodas and taxis. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Selina Marina Ballena or private Airbnbs ($800 - $1,500/month for studio/1-bed). |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Cascada Verde Hostel (approx. $20/night for dorms) or Flutterby House. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Marino Ballena / Bahia Area (close to the Whale Tail beach and national park entrance). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Selina area or the upper hills (Escaleras) for cooler temperatures and better views, provided they have fiber optic. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Selina Uvita (Daily pass approx. $15 - $20; features reliable backup power and community events). |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Sibu Cafe (excellent coffee and Wi-Fi) or Indómitos (vegetarian/vegan friendly with good tables). |
| 💼 Networking Events | Envision Festival (February/March) or weekly community markets at Bahia Ballena. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Uvita Information & Buy/Sell Facebook group or Wednesday Poker nights at local bars. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is limited/unreliable; use official 'Red Taxis' or private 'Colectivos'. WhatsApp is the primary booking tool. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Uvita Bike Rental (approx. $15/day for beach cruisers). |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Playa Uvita (inside Marino Ballena National Park, famous for the 'Whale Tail' sandbar). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Sansa Airlines (flights from San José to nearby Quepos or Palmar Sur). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Avianca, Copa Airlines, and United (flying into Juan Santamaría Airport SJO). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The Costanera Sur (Route 34) provides direct paved access to Quepos and Dominical. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Uvita Bus Station (Tracopa bus terminal) for direct lines to San José (approx. $15). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Pay-per-ride on local buses; no digital pass system. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Tracopa Bus (to San José or Paso Canoas) or Shared Shuttles like Monkey Ride (approx. $60 to SJO). |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital de Osa (Cortés) for emergencies; local clinics include Uvita Urgent Care / Dr. Pablo. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Sanctuary at Two Rivers or Bodhi Surf + Yoga (Dominical boundary). |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Uvita Fitness (local gym with free weights and functional training; approx. $45/month). |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavanderia El Mercado (approx. $2 per kg) located near the main intersection. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | No major apps; most restaurants offer 'Express' delivery via direct WhatsApp messaging. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Casado (rice, beans, protein, salad, and plantains) at Soda La Terraza. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Indómitos Cafe or Karma Cafe (specializing in plant-based bowls and smoothies). |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Gelato de Costa Rica (authentic Italian gelato near the national park entrance). |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The 'Feria' (Farmer's Market) on Saturdays – local produce and crafts. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercado Libre Costa Rica or Unimart; Amazon delivers via freight forwarders in San José. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | BM Supermercado (offers delivery via WhatsApp in the local area). |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Whale Tail Brewery for craft beer and social atmosphere. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Whale Tail Brewery (try the 'Pale Ale' or 'Honey Blonde'). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Mosaic Wine Bar & Sushi (upscale selection of imports). |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various 'Sodas' along the main road; look for fresh Ceviche stands near the beach entrance. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | La Choza Alemana (German cuisine) and Falafel Uvita (Middle Eastern). |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Whale Tail (Tombolo) - natural sand formation visible at low tide. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | None in Uvita; Stone Sphere Museum in Palmar Sur (30 mins away). |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Finca 6 (Diquis Stone Spheres, UNESCO World Heritage site). |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia Católica de Uvita (local community church). |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Whale Watching Festival (September) and Envision Festival (Feb/March). |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Bahia Ballena (the coastal community focused on marine conservation). |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Pop-up cinema nights at Flutterby House. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Saturday Uvita Farmers Market (Feria de Uvita). |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live acoustic sets at Jolly Roger (up the mountain) during sunset. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals around the Bahia Ballena school depicting marine life. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local 'Soda' workshops occasionally organized by eco-lodges. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Osa Art Gallery (featuring local Costa Rican artists). |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Limited; mostly modern wood/concrete eco-architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Boruca Indigenous craft heritage (masks sold in local shops). |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Uvita Waterfall (Catarata Uvita) with its natural rock slide ($4 entry). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Marino Ballena National Park (ocean) and Corcovado National Park (day trips available). |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Beach walking trail from Uvita to Playa Hermosa at low tide. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The hills of Escaleras for a bird's eye view of the coastline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Oro Verde Biological Reserve (excellent for Toucans and Macaws). |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Generally discouraged in the National Park; private beach clubs only. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING UVITA