- Last Updated: March 11, 2025
As a digital nomad, I’ve found San Jose to be a great place to be in and work. It has become one of those places I keep coming back to. After visiting more than three times, I thought why not I share my experiences with you all and provide you with a deep and comprehensive guide to San Jose as a digital nomad?
San Jose is a beautiful place that is the capital city of Costa Rica. Located in Central America, it has got a whole different vibe over there. It has lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and a lively social scene.
Decent infrastructure, reliable internet speed, a welcoming digital nomad community—all these things make this place a great place for digital nomads and remote workers.
In this guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned and experienced from my time here. It will cover essential information like the cost of living, best neighborhoods to live, what to eat, and where to visit. Besides, it will also have a look on the best cafes and coworking spaces you might consider visiting. So, without any further, let’s dive into it.
Digital Nomad Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica (2025 Update)
Cost of Living
One of the first things any digital nomad wants to know is how far their money will stretch, and this digital nomad guide to San Jose will deliver a detailed look at costs in 2025.
San Jose is relatively more expensive than its neighbors and other countries in Latin America, but it’s still cheaper than several digital nomad destinations. You can have a high quality of life while spending half as much as you would in New York City or London. From accommodation to daily necessities, the city offers a comfortable living within budget.
Now let’s break down the costs of accommodation, food, transportation, and recreational activities to give you a clear picture of what to expect while living in San Jose as a digital nomad. Here are the expected monthly costs of living at a glance:
➢ Accommodation: $700–$1,200 (Rent for one-bedroom apartment; it varies based on location and facilities)
➢ Food: $500–$900 (this includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Eating local is always wallet-friendly, though sometimes trying restaurants may bring some variety)
➢ Transportation: $40–$120 (monthly public transport fees and ridesharing)
➢ Internet Packs: $50–$70 (includes wifi and sim services)
➢ Healthcare & Insurance: $75-$200
➢ Entertainment & Activities: $150–$400 (covers entrance fees, hanging out, trip costs)
Total Monthly Estimate: For a comfortable lifestyle with reliable best Wifi in Costa Rica, budget $1,500–$2,000 monthly. This covers rent, food, transport, and leisure activities.
Passport & Visa Requirements
For many digital nomads, entry is a deciding factor, and this guide features why the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa is an important key here. Costa Rica offers a Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa that allows remote workers to stay up to one year. The requirements include:
1. Age: Must be 18 years old
2. Income: A monthly income of $3000
3. Employment: You must be self-employed, a freelancer, or an employee of a foreign company with remote work authorization
4. Health Insurance: You must have a proof of international health insurance that is valid in Costa Rica.
5. No Criminal Records: You must have a clean criminal record from your country.
6. Application fee: A one-time application fee of $100.
If you’re a citizen of the US, Canada, or EU, you can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days with a passport valid for six months. But if you’re trying to stay longer than the Costa Rica Digital Nomad VIsa is best for you. The best thing is no tax on foreign income, perfect for digital nomads in Costa Rica.
Best Time to Visit
Timing your move is everything, and this digital nomad guide to San Jose has all the details. Choosing the best season for a stay can make a huge difference in experience. San Jose has basically two seasons:
1. Dry Season (December to April)
2. Rainy Season (May to November)
The highland climate in San Jose remains mild throughout the year, with averages between 64°F and 75°F (18°C-24°C). However, the dry season from December to April is considered the ideal time. Predictable sunshine, little rain, and Wi-Fi throughout Costa Rica work best with fewer weather-related interruptions. Perfect for working plus enjoying whatever is happening in San Jose.
The rainy season stretches from May through November with afternoon downpours, beautiful vegetation overgrown, and some street isolation. It is best if you stay indoors mostly but not too much of an adventure on the outdoors. For this, the best area of Costa Rica to visit, the dry season is the best time of year.
Rent
This digital nomad guide to San Jose includes housing options for every budget. Like most cities, San Jose is a bit expensive in terms of rental costs. Being the center of the city, San Jose experiences a high demand for rentals due to the influx of tourism and remote workers. Considering the types of rentals, you can live in apartments, studios, dorms, and shared accommodations as a digital nomad.
In the core of the city, a one-bedroom costs between $600 and $800 per month, while outlying areas reduce that price to between $400 and $600-pretty impressive. If you are looking for something a little more upscale, the best expat neighborhood in San Jose, Escazú, offers furnished rentals or co-living spaces starting at $800 up to $1,200.
Local Facebook groups, Airbnb, and Encuentra24 all offer lots of deals. The tip from this guide is to ask for a discount when booking long-term stays and pay less in this must-visit area of Costa Rica.
Hostels can be a better option if you’re staying for a short period. Dorms can cost around $15 to $30 per night. Here are some popular and well-reviewed hostels:
1. Salina San Jose
2. Costa Rica Backpacks
3. Hostel Pangea
Best Neighborhoods
One of the best things to do in San Jose is to visit the beautiful neighborhoods; each neighborhood has its own unique charm. Choosing the best ones depends entirely on your taste and preference. Some of them are popular and suitable for digital nomads. This digital nomad guide to San jose covers those places-
➢ La Sabana:
La Sabana is centered around a massive park called La Sabana Metropolitan Park. It is combined with so much of the energy of urban life with greenery.
With coworking spaces and bars, things to do here are abundant. It’s ideal for those who are into outdoor activities and needs the proximity to nature while still being close to urban conveniences.
• Average Rent: La Sabana is a central area with a mix of residential and commercial properties, so rents can vary.
• Internet Speed: Internet connectivity is generally reliable in La Sabana, especially in commercial buildings and coworking spaces.
• Coworking Facilities: This area is close to the center of San Jose, so there are many coworking facilities within a short distance. One of the popular one is Costa Rica Workstation.
➢ Escazú:
Known as the best area in San Jose for expats, Escazú offers luxury apartments, super cafes, and Multiplaza. It’s safe, modern, and expat-friendly.
Often referred to as “Little America,” Escazú has a large expatriate community and offers modern amenities, including upscale restaurants and shopping centers.
Escazú is also known for its beautiful housing options and is popular among those seeking a comfortable lifestyle.
• Average Rent: Approximately $700 per month for a one-bedroom apartment
• Internet Speed: Average download speed is around 50 Mbps
• Coworking Facilities: Escazú offers various coworking spaces, including options like HQ, which provides flexible office spaces, virtual offices, and meeting rooms.
➢ Barrio Escalante:
A cool, walkable area, filled with plenty of bars, cafes, coworking spaces, and a great food culture that digital nomads in Costa Rica adore.
This neighborhood is renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, featuring numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars. Its lively atmosphere and cultural offerings make it a favorite among digital nomads seeking a dynamic environment.
• Average Rent: Although it varies but for instance here, a large house suitable for offices with 10 rooms is renting at $3,300 per month.
• Internet Speed: This area benefits from San José’s reliable internet infrastructure.
• Coworking Facilities: Barrio Escalante is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with numerous cafes and restaurants helping remote workers to get their job done. Coworking places like “Gracias Cowork” are located in this area.
Transportation
Navigating through San Jose is quite easy, as stated in this digital nomad guide to San Jose. Public buses are priced at $0.55-$1, connecting you to things to do in San Jose affordably. Though the buses are often crowded. For a more pleasant experience, Uber and DiDi rides cost between $5 and $10 on average. You can prefer them over local taxis.
Also, bike rentals begin at $10/day with OMNIBici, and Barrio Escalante is very accessible on foot. For weekend getaways, the best area in Costa Rica to visit, you can rent a car for between $30 and $50 per day or take a shuttle to the beach.
Food
For the digital nomad looking for a tasty treat, Costa Rica is a food lovers dream! The cuisine is tempting, there’s also a vibrant street food scene. It is an ideal place for foodies since it still has lots of cafes and bars with authentic Costa Rican cuisines.
If you’re thinking what food you must try, don’t worry! We got you covered. Here’s the must-try dish in Costa Rica:
➢ Gallo Pinto:
This is a Costa Rican breakfast dish made of rice, beans, and scrambled or fried eggs or plantains. It often comes with a side of fresh tortillas or sour cream. Besides, it costs around $3-$5.
This hearty and delicious meal is a staple among locals. As an energetic breakfast, it offers a perfect energy boost to start your day, especially if you have a long day of exploring ahead.
➢ Casados:
A popular, traditional local meal, usually consisting of rice, black beans, meat, and salad. Some variations may also include a fried egg or cheese. You can have it for lunch or dinner. Per plate costs around $5-$7.
Casados is a favorite among both locals and travelers looking for an authentic taste of Costa Rica.
➢ Chifrijo:
Chrifrijo is a must-try bar snack, composed of rice, beans, and pork with pico de gallo and avocado. It is usually served in a bowl with crispy tortilla chips or toasted bread.
You can also try it with an ice-cold local beer. However, this costs around $4-$6.
➢ Olla de Carne:
A traditional beef and vegetable stew that’s slow-cooked with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, yuca, plantains, and aromatic herbs or spices. It is priced between $6 and $8.
Olla de carne is a perfect dish for rainy days. It is often enjoyed with a side of white rice and fresh lime.
You can keep your costs low on food if you want. But if you’re being fancy, the upscale restaurants offer international food options for $15-$20.
Internet Speed
This is a must for remote workers that cannot be negotiated. For remote work progress and success, finding the best wifi in Costa Rica is essential.
Average speeds are between 40 and 100 Mbps for $50 per month via providers like Kolbi and Claro. The speed is more than enough for Zoom calls and streaming.
While cafes and coworking spaces provide free high-speed internet, rural areas may experience a disruption sometimes during heavy rain. For digital nomads in Costa Rica, San Jose is an excellent place to deliver internetwise.
Coworking Spaces
San Jose has a lively coworking scene. Costa Rica is a hot spot for digital nomads so there is no shortage of co-working spaces to get your work done. It offers different types of coworking spaces to cover the various interests and work styles.
Here are some of the best coworking spaces in San Jose:
➢ WeWork Escazu Village:
WeWork Escazu Village is modern and amenity-rich coworking space. It is located in Escazu, Costa Rica. It offers great facilities with flexible workspace and private offices.
As a digital nomad, we know how important our remote work environment is. And this place just serves right with those benefits of coworking spaces. However, they charge $150–$250/month.
➢ Impact Hub San Jose:
Impact Hub San Jose is another great option for remote workers. This coworking company has a global network. It funds impact projects through various programs and services. This coworking space charges $15/day or $150/month.
➢ Selina San Jose:
Selina San Jose is a hospitality and coworking space provider with a bohemian vibe. It combines accommodation options with flexible workspaces, charging $20/day or $200/month. A perfect place for digital nomads in Costa Rica.
May also check out: 10 Best Coworking Spaces in Tbilisi, Georgia for Digital Nomads
Cafes
Costa Rica is an ideal place for digital nomads; the cafes are one of the main reasons. The cafes have good coffee, festive vibes, and the best wifi in Costa Rica. For a little shake-up, this digital nomad guide to San Jose suggests:
➢ Caféoteca: Spacious cafe with good coffee, quiet environment and strong Wi-Fi. Prices of coffees are around $3–$5.
➢ Franco: Franco is a stylish cafe with good brunch options. Coffee is priced between $4 and $6.
➢ Nordico Coffee House: A peaceful terrace to work with reliable WiFi connectivity. It will cost around $3 to $5 for a drink.
Safety Index- Nomad Insurance
San Jose is moderate on the safety scale, with petty theft being its only concern, so keep your eyes open. According to Numbeo (as of March 2025), it has a safety index of 44.70. A quick breakdown of safety index:
1. Overall Safety: 44.70 (Moderate)
2. Level of crime: 65.10 (Little High)
3. Safety during the day: 67.64 ( High)
4. Safety at night: 27.39 (Low)
Escazú is considered the best area and feels safer in San Jose, Costa Rica, among expats. On the other hand, Nomad insurance, such as SafetyWing, costs $40 to $60 a month. It covers health, theft, and more essentials for digital nomads in Costa Rica.
However, it’s important to remember that no city is entirely crime-free, and San Jose is no exception. By following basic safety measures and using common sense, you can reduce the chance of encountering crime in San Jose and ensure a safe trip.
Attractions
Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, is full of attractions. And the best thing to do in San Jose is to make times to visit them. Here are some of the attractions you must visit in San Jose:
National Theatre
A beautiful piece of neocultural design. The interior is adorned with ornate frescoes, intricate wood carvings, and luxurious chandeliers. You will notice the European influence in every corner of this place.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours that reveal the history behind its construction and the significance of its artwork. It also hosts world-class performances, including ballet, opera, and symphony concerts. So a must-visit spot for art and culture lovers.
La Sabana Park
Located in downtown San Jose, it is the largest urban park in Costa Rica. It has a free green space for downtime, various activities, and a large artificial lake.
The park also has walking and jogging paths, open-air gym equipment, and sports fields. It can be a great place for you, if you like outdoor activities. Besides, you can do paddle boating in that artificial lake.
La Sabana is also home to the National Stadium of Costa Rica, where major sporting events and concerts take place.
Poás Volcano:
Costa Rica has some of the active volcanoes in the world. Poás Volcano is one of them which is both active and easily accessible. It also has one of the most acidic lakes on the planet. This acidic blue-green lake creates a picturesque landscape.
You can hike the trails and go to the top. There you can see the volcanic activity, steam vents, and sulfuric gases coming out of the volcano. On clear days, the views even stretch for miles. A day trip here is highly recommended.
Since the volcano is active, it’s best to check for entry availability before planning a visit.
Central Market:
For a true taste of local culture, the Central Market in San José is a must-visit place. Established in 1880, this historic marketplace is a place where you will find street food, handcrafted souvenirs, and vendors selling various kinds of goods.
If you want to experience the local culture and taste, visiting the Central Market is a must.
Check this out: The 15 Best Things to Do in Medellin (and some Don’ts!)
Other Digital Nomad Destinations in Costa Rica
Apart from San Jose, there are plenty of cities in Costa Rica that are nomad-friendly. Some of they are:
➢ Tamarindo:
Tamarindo is a vibrant beach community along the Pacific coast. It has beautiful beaches, some of the best surf spots, and an animated nightlife, making it popular among digital nomads who want to combine work and fun. The town offers various coworking options, WiFi-friendly cafes, and a liberal expat scene.
➢ Puerto Viejo:
Puerto Viejo is known for its relaxed, bohemian energy. It is a tiny coastal town and surrounded with rainforests and pristine beaches, hence making it a heaven for nature lovers.
Puerto Viejo is your slow mellow; chill out and rewind. The internet here may not be the swiftest that you’ll find, but it is more than sufficient for remote work at most hotels and coworking spaces. A colorful local community mixed with international culture makes choosing this town the destination of digital nomads.
➢ Liberia:
Liberia is another great place that has some of Costa Rica’s most stunning beaches and national parks. This city has a more urban vibe than other coastal towns, complete with modern conveniences, malls, and an increasing range of coworking spaces.
The geographic area of Liberia serves as a convenient point to some of the country’s must-see spots, including Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Playa Hermosa, and the Papagayo Peninsula. It makes a perfect base for digital nomads who want to balance work with weekend getaways to enjoy the country’s natural beauty.
Is San Jose a Good Place for Digital Nomads?
Absolutely! The city provides affordable living options, has specific visa for digital nomads called “Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa”, bunch of accompolished coworking centers, and good internet speed in Costa Rica.
Along with an expanding network of migrants and the stimulating cultural environment, the safety measures being taken also make San Jose a favorable urban area. Its close distance to beautiful natural scenery is an added bonus for those who appreciate city life as well as outdoor activities and endless things to do in San Jose. For these reasons, San Jose can serve as a great base for digital nomads.
Wrap Up
San Jose is not only a famous remote work spot for digital nomads in Costa Rica, but also a place with a combination of city life and access to Costa Rica’s famous natural beauty. These things all together makes San Jose a great place for digital nomads all over the world.
With visa perks, connectivity, and the best neighborhood in San Jose, Costa Rica for expats, it’s a perfect launchpad for your digital nomad journey in Costa Rica. So pack up and dive in!
Thank you for sticking with us! We’d greatly appreciate it if you could share this article with your friends and family. Don’t forget to comment below with your thoughts on San Jose. Are you planning to visit here soon or have already spent days here? We’re eager to know!
Check this out also: Living in Lisbon as a digital nomad
FAQs
San José is generally safe for digital nomads, with neighborhoods like Escazú and Santa Ana being particularly secure. However, like in any city, be mindful of petty theft in crowded areas and avoid poorly lit spots after dark. Staying aware of your surroundings and using trusted transportation will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in the city.
San José has seen significant improvements in internet infrastructure, with many areas offering fiber-optic connections. Expect speeds around 10-30 Mbps, which is sufficient for most remote work tasks like video calls and content creation. Coworking spaces and cafes typically provide fast and reliable Wi-Fi for digital nomads.
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