Why Are Expats Flocking to This Tropical Paradise?
Costa Rica is known for surfing and bird-watching, but it’s also a prime destination for expats. Moving to Costa Rica has become a popular choice among digital nomads, foreign retirees, and others who want to live abroad. As a result, approximately 10% of the country’s population are immigrants.
Costa Rica is also one of the few countries that allows foreigners to purchase real estate. Moreover, its relatively low cost of living makes it an affordable place to live or even retire. So, if you are considering calling this tropical paradise home, here are the best places to live in Costa Rica based on safety, cost of living, climate, and other important factors.
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Life in Costa Rica: Rainy Season Versus Dry Season
Foreigners who want to move to Costa Rica should be aware that the country does not have four distinct seasons. Instead, it has two seasons known as the rainy season and the dry season.
The rainy season usually begins in late April or early May and lasts until the end of November. September and October are the rainiest months, with an average rainfall of 11 to 16 inches. The dry season begins in December and lasts until the end of April. The average rainfall during the dry season is about half an inch.
Altitude and micro-climates influence Costa Rica’s weather patterns, as well. For example, the rainforest region on the country’s Caribbean coast gets the least rain in September and October – the same months when the rest of the country experiences the most rain all year.
How We Identified the Best Cities in Costa Rica
We chose our list of the best places to live in Costa Rica by looking at several factors that foreigners consider before moving abroad.
This includes safety and crime data from Numbeo, as well as cost of living data from Numbeo and Livingcost. Recent data for each city’s average prices for rent, utilities, grocery staples, and transportation were used to calculate the average cost of living per month. All cost of living data is up to date as of March 2024.
We also considered factors like healthcare, entertainment and culture, education, access to green spaces, and internet speed and access. Quality of life factors like walkability, weather, and air quality also play a role.
Below, discover the best city for you from our countdown of the best places to live in Costa Rica as an expat.
The Best Places to Live in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, lined by sprawling beaches and lavish resorts, has a well-developed tourism industry. Head east toward the Caribbean coast to find cities with a rustic, laid-back feel with tropical forests, waterfalls, and isolated but beautiful beaches.
Here are the best places to live in Costa Rica from coast to coast.
Tamarindo: The Best Place to Live in Guanacaste
Tamarindo is a small but bustling beach town on the North Pacific coast. It has become a popular choice for expats who love sunny weather and surfing.
This safe, seaside community is known for beachfront bars, shops, restaurants, and cafes. Given the city’s strong tourism industry, it’s not surprising that Tamarindo has so many options for nightlife and dining.
Tamarindo is also a walkable city, with most places being located within a 30-minute walk from the center. There are plenty of co-working spaces and high-speed internet, which makes it perfect for digital nomads. Tamarindo’s many medical clinics and international schools mean it’s also great for expats wanting to raise a family.
Liberia International Airport is only a one-hour drive from Tamarindo. The airport even has an international hospital should you ever need advanced medical care.
Some immigrants report that Tamarindo doesn’t feel as authentic as other parts of Costa Rica due to the prevalence of English. However, this can be helpful for foreigners who are still learning how to speak Spanish.
The Cost of Living in Tamarindo
The average cost of living for a single person in Tamarindo is $1,609 per month.
Tamarindo’s tourism industry has led to higher prices for housing and amenities. However, many foreigners feel that the city’s great quality of life is worth the higher cost of living. Immigrants who are used to the cost of living in North American and European cities may also find that the cost of living in Tamarindo is very affordable by comparison.
Limón: Settle on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast
The city of Limón is located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, where there’s less tourist activity than the Pacific coast. Many expats feel that Limón is a more authentic Costa Rican city for this very reason.
Limón has the biggest Afro-Caribbean community in Costa Rica, and its influence can be seen in everything from the food to the local culture. Meanwhile, hikers and nature lovers will appreciate Limón’s many parks and green spaces.
The city is located in the lush greenery of the country’s rainforest region. That makes Limón a great city for immigrants who want to live somewhere urban but quiet and close to nature. Many people move here to live off the grid in an affordable location.
Foreigners also like this walkable city because of its reliable internet, good air quality, and many medical clinics. Because Limón is more remote, you may need to travel to San Jose, about four hours away, if you need specialty medical care or are catching an international flight. Despite its name, the Limón International Airport only offers domestic flights, making it one of the best places to live in Costa Rica if you like to travel.
The Cost of Living in Limón
Limón is the seventh-largest city in Costa Rica, but it is also one of the most affordable. The average cost of living for one person is $1,262 per month.
Escazú: Safe Suburban Living Outside of San Jose
Often called the “Beverly Hills of Costa Rica,” Escazú is a low-crime city that’s great for foreigners who enjoy the finer things in life. Its gated communities and strong security measures have made it one of the safest places to live in Costa Rica.
In Escazú, you’ll find high-end retail shopping and dining, as well as modern amenities like fiber-optic cable internet. The city’s hospitals and international schools are excellent. Because Escazú is a suburb of the capital city of San Jose, it’s only a 10-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride from the San Jose International Airport.
Escazú has attracted a large expat community, which some say makes assimilating into the local culture easier. Others feel that wealthy foreigners have made the city less accessible to expats who are on a budget. Whether Escazú is the right city for you will depend on your lifestyle.
The Cost of Living in Escazú
The average cost of living in Escazú for one person is around $5,516, mostly because of its convenient location and top-notch amenities.
Heredia: The Best City for Expats in the Heredia Province
Known as the “City of Flowers,” Heredia is the capital of Costa Rica’s Heredia province. It is ideal for anyone who loves outdoor activities and the natural beauty of the mountains.
Hikers and bird watchers can take a short drive to reach Braulio Carrillo National Park. Although Heredia is surrounded by breathtaking views, you don’t have to leave the city to find the flowers and green spaces for which Heredia is famous. This safe and walkable city’s cobblestone streets and historic buildings give it an old-world charm.
Foreigners can seek healthcare services at Heredia Hospital. If you’re an expat raising a family, you can send your child to one of the city’s international schools. High-speed internet, comfortable year-round temperatures, and superb air quality are a few of the many other benefits of living in Heredia.
Heredia is one of the best places to live in Costa Rica if you want to avoid the noise and congestion of traditional city life. You can easily drive or catch a local bus to San Jose in less than an hour.
The Cost of Living in Heredia
The average cost of living for one person in Heredia is $1,140 a month. It’s one of the most affordable major cities in Costa Rica, which may explain why it has one of the largest expat communities in the country.
Dominical: Natural Charm in Southern Costa Rica
Dominical is located in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province near the border of Panama. Like Heredia, it’s known for its enchanting views of nature, but it is more of a beach town than a mountain town. The beaches are great places to surf, while nearby waterfalls give the city a tranquil feel.
Dominical now has reliable high-speed internet, which is why many digital nomads now consider it a hidden gem. There are three major hospitals within a 30-minute drive of Dominical. While some of the roads in this rural town are still unpaved, it’s easy to reach the modern facilities in Quepos (another city on our list) in less than an hour by car.
The Cost of Living in Dominical
The average cost of living for one person in Dominical is $1,100 a month, making it affordable compared to most Costa Rican cities.
Quepos/Manuel Antonio: Small Town Charm in Puntarenas
If you own a boat or love spending time on the water, look no further than Quepos and Manuel Antonio. These small but safe seaside towns, located on the Central Pacific coast, are only five minutes apart.
Quepos is home to the Pez Vela Marina, which has 195 wet slips to accommodate vessels up to 200 feet. It’s a family-friendly community that many sailors and anglers like to call home. Next door, in the town of Manuel Antonio, you’ll find Manuel Antonio Park — the most-visited national park in Costa Rica.
Because both towns are small, you can easily travel on foot to reach grocery stores, bakeries, banks, pharmacies, and restaurants. High-speed internet is available, and the weather is warm all year long. When it comes to housing, you’ll find everything from basic studio apartments to luxury homes.
Quepos and Manuel Antonio are also known for their vibrant arts communities. If fishing, boating, and the arts aren’t enough, there’s also white-water rafting, horseback riding, and zip-lining. Expats can rest easy knowing that they’re only a few hour’s drive from the capital city of San Jose.
The Cost of Living in Quepos/Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast is one of the more affordable regions in Costa Rica. As a result, the average cost of living for one person in Quepos/Manuel Antonio is $1,144 a month.
Atenas: Small Town Living in Alajuela
National Geographic ranks Atenas as one of the best climates on Earth.
Located in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Atenas is also known as a paradise for coffee lovers. The town sits atop an elevated plateau where the fertile soil produces some of the best coffee in the world. Expats move here because they can enjoy the feeling of a small town without losing access to big-city amenities—San Jose is less than an hour away.
Atenas is especially popular with retired foreigners. In 2010, AARP named Atenas one of the best places to retire abroad because of its climate and easy access to nature. The active expat community, balmy weather, low crime, and affordable cost of living are all good reasons for immigrants to consider making Atenas their new home.
Many people visit San Jose or nearby Escazú for medical care and high-end shopping. There are plenty of buses if you prefer not to drive. Atenas is a convenient drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport, meaning you can easily travel outside the country.
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The Cost of Living in Atenas
Atenas is one of the more affordable suburbs near San Jose. The average cost of living for one person is $1,280 per month.
Jaco: Costa Rican Beach Town Charm in Puntarenas
Jaco is a Pacific coastal town located less than two hours from San Jose. Beloved by surfers, it’s known for volcanic-sand beaches, waterfalls, and outdoor activities like horseback riding and ATV tours.
Despite its reputation as a beach town, Jaco’s nightlife and restaurants are energetic and hip. It’s also safe, walkable, and family-friendly. Families can enroll their children at Jaco’s private bilingual school for international citizens.
Because Costa Rica allows foreigners to buy property, many people immigrate here to buy one of Jaco’s affordable beachfront homes. The expat community is already big but continues to grow thanks to the city’s low cost of living. Amenities include high-speed internet, ample green spaces, and some of the best shopping markets in Costa Rica. Jaco is such a popular town that it’s often packed during the holidays.
The Cost of Living in Jaco
Jaco is one of the most affordable beach towns in Costa Rica. The average cost of living for one person is $1,100 a month.
Cartago: The Old Capital City of Costa Rica
Cartago tops our list not only because of its top-tier quality of life but also because it’s one of the country’s safest and most affordable major cities.
Located in the Central Valley, Cartago was the capital of Costa Rica for 300 years. Foreigners who move here will find everything they need: easy access to healthcare facilities, good schools, historical sites, cultural activities, entertainment, shopping, farmer’s markets, restaurants, and more. More than 160,000 people live in Cartago, including a lively expat community, and there is always something to see or do.
Seated 4,720 feet above sea level, the weather is cool, and the views are incredible. Year-round temperatures range from 62 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Nearby coffee farms and hiking and biking trails make it easy to enjoy Cartago’s natural beauty.
Cartago is also one hour from San Jose, where you’ll find a major international airport and the most job opportunities in the country.
The Cost of Living in Cartago
Despite its size and popularity, Cartago is still one of the most affordable places to live. The average cost of living for one person is $1,109 a month.
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