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Costa Rica

San José

Costa Rica's capital with the country's dedicated nomad visa and solid infrastructure

In San José, a mid-range month runs about $2,352 (CRC 1,056,147) and there is some violent crime city-wide.

Compare San José with another cityFind places like San José

Ratings

Scores run from 1 to 10 and compare each place with every other destination on Nomadr. Higher is always better. Cost is shown as a level, from Very Low to Very High.

Cost (day-to-day)Moderate

More expensive day to day than about 60% of cities

Internet6.8/10

Faster internet than about 70% of cities

Visas8/10

Easier visas than about 90% of cities

Coworking7.6/10

Better coworking than about 75% of cities

English5/10

Less English-friendly than about 80% of cities

Walkability4.7/10

Harder to get around than about 60% of cities

Gyms & Wellness4.3/10

Fewer wellness options than about 65% of cities

Getting There6.6/10

Easier to reach than about 60% of cities

Scores are built from researched data, with sources cited on the categories we have them for — open any category below to see them.

Everything we know

31 categories for San José, grouped for quick scanning — coverage varies from city to city. Open any row for the full detail and any cited sources.

Money

Work

Life

Outdoor activities

  • Beaches: not available here. Nearest on Nomadr: Jacó (~70 km) · Santa Teresa (~100 km)
  • Surfing: not available here. Nearest on Nomadr: Jacó (~70 km) · Santa Teresa (~100 km)

Practical

The Honest Downsides

The honest downsides

What we'd want to know before moving here.

Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.

Other cities in North America

  • Jacó, Costa RicaCosta Rica's established surf-and-nightlife town, with real freediving and dive infrastructure.
  • Santa Teresa, Costa RicaSophisticated Pacific-coast surf town with real yoga-camp and dive infrastructure.
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa RicaCaribbean-side Costa Rica, a genuinely distinct reggae-surf vibe from the Pacific coast.
  • Tamarindo, Costa RicaSurf-and-work beach town with real, documented coworking
  • Bocas del Toro, PanamaCaribbean-side archipelago with a small but documented remote-work community
  • Panama City, PanamaFinancial hub with a dedicated nomad visa and modern infrastructure