Costa Rica is getting ever more popular
Costa Rica is constantly named as one of the best places to live for digital nomads and ex-pats. Its stunning natural beauty, comfortable climate, and affordable prices are only a few reasons why many remote workers choose to make this incredible country their permanent or temporary home.
In 2021 the list of best places to live in Costa Rica is growing steadily, and there are always new little communities to explore, which most travelers might not know about.
Why Costa Rica is the perfect place to live for expats
Costa Rica claims to be one of the happiest places on earth. The country is known for its friendly people, inclusive culture, and vibrant lifestyle.
Central America is a great place for ex-pats and remote workers as it’s still geographically not too far from the United States, which might be attractive for Americans looking to stay close to home.
Costa Rica also has a unique culture and will make you feel welcome as you immerse yourself in a new way of life.
The country has beautiful scenery with white sand beaches, lush rainforests, and amazing biodiversity.
It’s also relatively small compared to other Central or South American countries, so it’s easy to navigate. You can try out different places to live in Costa Rica and see which one suits you best, without having to travel for more than a few hours.
The climate in Costa Rica is also very favorable and comfortable year-round.
Combined with the delicious local cuisine and reasonably affordable prices, Costa Rica is a dream for ex-pats and digital nomads.
Best Places to live in Costa Rica
1. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is located on the southern end of Costa Rica’s east coast. This small town might not seem special at first, but in reality, it’s one of the best places to live in Costa Rica in 2021.
The town is small enough that it doesn’t feel overwhelming, but there is still plenty to see and do in the area so that you won’t be bored.
With a growing digital nomad community, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is getting better internet access, although the connection can still be spotty in places outside of town.
Come here for vibrant nightlife, an affordable cost of living, and, of course, beautiful beaches. You can easily get around town without a car, making it a very convenient place to stay on a budget.
Don’t expect great luxury here, though. Life tends to be a bit more rustic and close to nature. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is fantastic for seeing different types of wildlife, including sloths, toucans, monkeys, and different types of rare birds.
If you’re looking for a tightly knit community and life close to nature, this is the place to go.
2. Samara
Samara is a little town located right by the beach on the popular Nicoya Peninsula. It has a reputation for attracting people who enjoy holistic lifestyles with yoga, meditation, and community-based activities.
Samara is also an incredible place to go if you enjoy surfing or want to learn. With lots of affordable surf schools, this is one of the best places to live in Costa Rica to get into the surfing lifestyle.
A lot of travelers and remote workers end up staying here for much longer than they had originally planned since Samara is such a beautiful place to live.
If you’ve just come from a busy city or had enough wild beach parties, definitely consider living in Samara for a while to relax and be productive.
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3. Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is one of the most popular places for digital nomads in Costa Rica. The town attracts a lot of foreigners so even if you’re traveling solo you won’t have trouble finding a community here.
However, this also means that there is less authentic local culture than you might find in other small beach towns in Costa Rica. Santa Teresa is the perfect place to escape the busy streets of San Jose to enjoy a life by the beach.
There are excellent opportunities for surfing and lots of things to see and do nearby. Sometimes it’s tricky to get around Santa Teresa without a car, so definitely factor in the cost of having to rent an ATV or bike long term when you come here.
4. San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and, therefore, the biggest city in the country. It is the perfect place to start your journey as a remote worker and one of the best places to live in Costa Rica.
Rich in history and home to a unique culture, San Jose offers plenty to do and see. In San Jose, you will find a fantastic variety of attractions in the different neighborhoods. There is always something going on here, so you might have trouble focusing on work at times.
If you’re planning on doing some sightseeing, it is best to start on Avenida Central, which is the main street, and work your way from there to the other districts.
The city is home to a colorful mix of business people, young professionals, artists as well as students, so the local community is very diverse. With no beaches, nearby San Jose is not a good place to choose if you want to live a laid-back lifestyle.
However, the city has a great selection of coworking spaces and probably the best internet connections in the country, so put it at the top of your list for the best places to live in Costa Rica in 2021.
5. Tamarindo
The town of Tamarindo is one of the best cities to live in Costa Rica in 2021, with a community full of digital nomads and expats.
Tamarindo tends to attract a younger crowd, mainly because of the ideal surfing conditions and great nightlife. There is a dedicated airport in Tamarindo, which makes it easy to reach the city from anywhere in the country.
If you’re looking for a place to live in Costa Rica that is well connected, Tamarindo is definitely one of the best. The beach not only invites you to surf, but the sunset here is also highly recommended.
However, the wifi is known to be relatively slow throughout the city, which sometimes makes it difficult for remote workers to stay here long term.
Furthermore, the cost of living, such as rent and food, is a bit more expensive than in other parts of Costa Rica as many foreigners are living here. If you don’t mind the tourist vibe, you should stop by Tamarindo.
6. Jaco in the Central Pacific
Jaco is a popular surf town located in the southwest of Costa Rica and just under a two-hour drive from San Jose. The area is more upscale, with plenty of restaurants, bars and fast wifi connections as well as a reliable 4G network.
The town often gets quite crowded on weekends, with people from the surrounding area coming to Jaco to party. It is easy to spend money here, which is why it is not one of the best places to live in Costa Rica if you are on a budget.
The beach of Jaco is unfortunately not the nicest, and due to the crowds on weekends, you might encounter pickpockets, so keep your belongings close. Nevertheless, on the whole, you will find enough variety, fun and a great atmosphere here, which is why Jaco is on the list of the best places to live in 2021 in Costa Rica.
Jaco is recommended for digital nomads looking to network and enjoy the nightlife while still being productive during the day
7. Dominical/Uvita in the South Pacific
Dominical is one of the best places to live in Costa Rica if you want to be close to nature without having to navigate crowded streets full of tourists. Furthermore, the beach of Dominical offers fantastic opportunities for surfing, even for beginners.
There are many hiking trails in this area along with breathtaking natural sights where you can often observe different wild animals. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get around Dominical without a car, as many of the accommodations are located in the mountains.
The digital nomad community here is still quite small so you might struggle with making connections initially, but the locals are very helpful and friendly.
8. Playas de Coco
Costa Rica has a reputation for a vibrant nightlife and a young backpacker community and lifestyle. However, there are also calmer places that are less focused on wild beach parties but more about nature and a quiet lifestyle.
If you’re travelling as a family, Playas de Coco is definitely one of the best places to live in Costa Rica in 2021 because it has everything you need while still being affordable. It’s located less than half an hour from a decently sized international airport and has a lot of beautiful beaches nearby.
The climate in this area of Costa Rica is also very favourable and is sunny year-round.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly location in this country with a great community of other foreigners, this is the place to go.
Best Beaches in Costa Rica
1. Santa Teresa Beach
Santa Teresa Beach is located close to the small town of the same name in the Puntarenas Province. This is one of the most popular beaches in the area, but luckily it’s more than 2 miles long and very wide, so it rarely gets very crowded.
Santa Teresa Beach is known for its stunning sunsets and is also very popular among surfers. During low tide, you can enjoy little tide pools which appear in the shallow waters.
If you’re traveling to Costa Rica with children, Santa Teresa is one of the best beaches to see little fish or different types of seashells.
This beach looks incredibly surreal and should be at the top of your list of the best beaches to visit in Costa Rica. Located in the south of the country, Uvita Beach is part of the Marino Ballena National Park.
This is one of the more remote areas of Costa Rica, although this unusual beach is attracting more and more tourists every year. During low tide, the sandbanks form the shape of a whale tail, which gives this beach its name.
Don’t forget to pack your camera or drone if you have one. The photos will be unforgettable.
3. Playa Conchal
Playa Conchal is located close to the popular digital nomad town of Tamarindo and will definitely be one of the more crowded beaches on this list.
It has incredibly clear water, which takes on different shades of blue and green, making this beach perfect for swimming or snorkelling. Definitely keep in mind that this beach is mostly made of crushed seashells and not sand, so walking barefoot can be painful after a while. Bringing flip-flops or water shoes is highly recommended.
You need to walk for at least 10 minutes from the parking lot to access the beach, so don’t pack too many things. Playa Conchal is definitely one of the best beaches in Costa Rica to spend an entire day.
4. Playa Hermosa
Located just a quick drive north of Playa Conchal sits Playa Hermosa. This beach is framed by palm trees and looks stunningly picturesque, especially during sunset.
During low tide, the beach is wide with lots of space to sunbathe and walk. During high tide, the water rises, and the beach almost completely disappears, so definitely check the tides before you visit.
Playa Hermosa lives up to its name and has recently also become very popular among surfers who enjoy the fantastic wave conditions in this area.
5. Playa Montezuma
Located at the very tip of the Nicoya Peninsula sits the famous Playa Montezuma. This beach is easy to access since it’s located so close to the nearby town of Montezuma, which is a popular backpacker hotspot.
Playa Montezuma is considered one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, largely because of its calm waters and beautiful white sand.
There are also great hiking paths in the area and, of course, abundant possibilities for snorkelling, water sports, or simply relaxing.
Get our best tips FOR FREE and learn how to become a successful digital nomad and work from anywhere!
PLUS top advice on everything related to location independence lifestyle:
- Coliving
- Working locations
- Making money online
- Travel advice
- Nomad interviews
