Good to know
Good to Know
- Jaco's population has grown approximately 4% annually from 2011–2022, making it one of Costa Rica's fastest-growing towns, largely due to tourism and expatriate settlement.
- The expatriate community is particularly large relative to permanent local population; this is notably higher than Costa Rica's national 9% foreign-born rate.
- Multiple national holidays see influx of Costa Rican tourists to Jaco, temporarily multiplying the resident population.
- While Jaco has become a popular digital nomad destination with coworking infrastructure and reliable internet, the tech sector remains modest; most business activity is tourism-related (hotels, restaurants, surf schools).
- Digital nomads must meet Costa Rica's remote work visa requirements ($3,000/month foreign income) to stay legally beyond 90 days; the visa permits stays up to 2 years.
- Francophone expat communities are visibly present in Jaco alongside English-speaking North American expatriates.
Population
- Annual Growth Rate Percent
- 4
- Census 2011
- 11685
- Estimate 2022
- 18613
- Current Estimate 2025
- 19995
- Description
- Steady growth driven by tourism boom and expatriate influx
Notable Nationalities
- Francophone Presence
- Yes
- Description
- Jaco's expatriate community is predominantly North American with Francophone communities also present
- Sources Note
- Verified for Jaco specifically among expat communities
Primary Groups
- North Americans (USA and Canada)
- Western Europeans
Demographic Composition
- Description
- Blend of local Costa Ricans (ticos) from Central Valley, international expatriates, seasonal workers, and growing digital nomad population
- Local Description
- Predominantly young, outdoor-oriented demographic with mix of permanent settlers and transient workers
Foreign Born Percentage
- National Baseline Percent
- 9
- Year
- 2012
- Note
- Jaco has disproportionately higher foreign-born population than national average; estimated significantly higher but no official local census data available
Business And Tech Presence
- Tourism Sector
- Primary economic driver with growing service businesses
- Digital Nomad Status
- Emerging hub
- Post 2020 Diversification
- Positioned as emerging remote work hub with cafes and coworking facilities catering to digital nomads
- Employment Note
- Foreign nationals cannot be salaried employees without permanent residency or specific work permit unless no local candidate available; most expatriates are remote workers, retirees, or business owners
Coworking Spaces
- Presence
- Yes
- Amenities
- High-speed internet, private meeting rooms, workstations, networking events
Examples
- Selina CoWork
- Socialtel Jaco
Remote Work Infrastructure
- Visa Support
- Yes
- Internet Quality
- Reliable high-speed available
- Digital Nomad Visa Requirement
- CRC 3,000,000
- Visa Requirement Note
- $3,000 monthly foreign income minimum (individuals); $4,000 for families with dependents; permits stay up to 2 years
Expat Community Characteristics
- Size
- Year-round significant community with many permanent residents
- Mobility
- Many temporary residents staying few years before relocating; established families with decades-long presence
- Composition
- Mixed ages including young digital nomads and families, plus retirees
- Infrastructure
- International schools, private clinics, English-speaking services, restaurants with international cuisine
- Support Networks
- Yes
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this local demographics research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Jacó
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.