Best Places to Live in Costa Rica For Expats

Throughout the years Costa Rica has become a very popular destination and a very attractive option for foreigners looking for a new place to call home. An average of 10% of Costa Rica’s population corresponds to the expat community alone.

Costa Rica has unmatched natural beauty in the form of national parks, lovely beach towns, and unique wildlife. The peaceful Costa Rican culture, its delicious food, relatively low cost of living, steady weather all year long, pristine beaches, laid-back and friendly people as well as a low crime rate, are just a few reasons why this destination is repeatedly chosen for many expats to live in.

From the Caribbean coast to the southern Pacific, and from Lake Arenal to Puerto Viejo, there is something for every expat in this gem of a country.

If you are considering the option of moving to the safest country in Latin America, keep reading the useful data presented below about the best places to live in Costa Rica.

#1

The Expat Experience in the Central Valley

Out of all the towns situated in the central valley region of Costa Rica, our picks are:

Escazu

Located close to downtown San José, Escazu has become a favorite spot for many expats to live in. It is conveniently located near major hospitals, bilingual private schools, healthcare facilities, a wide variety of great restaurants, shopping areas, private clubs, movie theaters, and the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

The cost of living here is higher than different regions of the country, but the views of the city, the exclusive area, and all the amenities needed to live a comfortable life are found in the town of Escazu. Another perk of living in this place in the central valley is that it is among the safest places to live in Costa Rica.

Grecia

Grecia is known for being a farming town (mainly for coffee and sugarcane), and for having one of the best farmer’s markets featuring the freshest and yet inexpensive fruit and vegetables. It is also renowned for its breathtaking views, and high-quality, affordable real estate, making it a very sought-after town for those wanting to live in perfect peace.

It is encircled by the natural beauty of close-by mountains without being too far away from sunny beaches, the capital city of San José, and close-by malls, cinemas, stylish bistros, as well as many good restaurants to choose from.

Day trips to the southern Caribbean coast, the historical sites of the former capital of Cartago, the lively beach towns sprinkled up and down the coastlines, and the horseback riding and hiking and biking trails nearby all add to the draw of this central valley location.

Atenas

Atenas is a small, quiet, and picturesque town about 22 miles from San Jose in the central valley. It is pretty popular among ex-pats, especially retired ones. Just to give you an idea, out of an estimated population of 27,000 people, around 1,500 are expats.

Three main aspects that seem to be most valued in this area are a warm, welcoming community that always carries a big smile, a strategic location (halfway between San Jose and the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Coast), and perfect weather (sunny during the day and cool at night, without the need of either air conditioning or a heater).

The lifestyle that this part of Costa Rica offers, along with fantastic air quality, a bohemian vibe, tropical forests, good schools, good infrastructure, high speed internet, make for a great expat experience.

#2

Expats Seeking Paradise on the Central Pacific Coast

The central pacific coast of Costa Rica is a lovely area fitting between high mountains covered in clouds and beaches packed with palm trees. Our suggested towns are:

Jaco

Jaco is hands down one of the most popular beach towns in Costa Rica, a quite-developed one in terms of real estate, and the closest to the capital city of San Jose. It has countless local and international restaurants, beachfront bars, and full access to anything needed to live comfortably (banks, grocery stores, drugstores, a private bilingual school, and more).

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and verdant mountains with zip lining and spectacular hiking spots, Jaco is reasonable when it comes to the cost of living, as there is room for all types of budgets. This charming town has a vibrant community, stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and nearby waterfalls in the surrounding mountains – for an authentic Costa Rican experience.

You can also find affordable properties whether you decide on a place close to the beach or up in the adjacent hills – less than two hours from the airport in San Jose.

Quepos/Manuel Antonio

Quepos and Manuel Antonio are right next to each other (less than 5 miles apart) and have the luxury of being located in an astonishing area blessed with incredible biodiversity.

Quepos is a fishing village that hosts a top-notch marina, a true haven for those who love sailing. Its local culture, slower pace welcoming atmosphere, and old world charm make this tropical paradise attracts expats from all over.

Manuel Antonio is a popular tourist destination that has several white sand pristine beaches, a laid back atmosphere, and a world-renowned national park. Nature lovers will be thrilled with Manuel Antonio’s exceptional bird watching, abundant wildlife, and natural beauty of this most visited national park in Costa Rica.

Both Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park are equipped to meet daily needs with all types of services and modern amenities for the vibrant expat community.

#3

North Pacific Coast

The northern pacific coast of Costa Rica goes along the Guanacaste province shoreline.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo has grown to be another upbeat and developed beach town rated as a very safe place to live and one of the most famous beaches in Costa Rica. Its town has lovely shops, cafes, all types of dining from inexpensive to gourmet restaurants, and commerce ready to satisfy any need.

Conveniently located about an hour from Liberia international airport, the city of Tamarindo offers both serenity and relaxation surrounded by natural wonders and the fervor of a bustling little town with vibrant nightlife. There is a great balance found here with a strong sense of family friendly community that makes everybody feels at home.

Plus, weekend trips to go surfing or exploring places like Puerto Viejo, Nuevo Arenal on Lake Arenal, the national parks, or Santa Ana make this a great city to call home.

Whether you’re looking for upscale homes or condos tucked away for a fraction of the cost of other countries, you can find it here in Tamarindo: often near the top of the list of the vibrant expat community for best city to live in Costa Rica.

Related Post: Best Guanacaste Property Rentals

Playa Flamingo and Playa Potrero

Flamingo and Potrero are two spectacular pristine beaches located one next to the other and around 40 miles away from Liberia’s international airport. Potrero, formerly known as a little fishing town, is one of the most famous sailfish fishing locations in the world. Flamingo is a little more upscale and luxurious, with a beautiful marina and one of the most impressive beaches in Costa Rica.

They are both home to interesting Costa Rica expat communities formed by locals and expats with a common love for peace, quiet and breathtaking sunsets. A wide variety of shops, restaurants, and discos are found in the area, as well as countless options for outdoor activities. These towns are also close to a couple of great private/bilingual international schools. 

Living in Costa Rica as an American doesn’t get much better than this. These locations have easy access to green spaces, tropical rainforests, a laid back atmosphere, and beautiful beaches. You can see why Flamingo and Potrero top the list for where to live in Costa Rica.

Explore our home rentals in Playa Flamingo and beautiful property rentals in Playa Portero.

Playas del Coco

Playas del Coco is the closest beach town to an international airport in Costa Rica. It is only a 30-minute drive from Liberia (the main city in Guanacaste Province) and its international airport. Situated in an area known as the gold coast, Playas del Coco is one of the most established ocean-side networks in the country and a very popular expat town.

It has all types of commerce and nightlife literally within walking distance. El Coco is also close to many great beaches in the area. Locals are friendly and helpful and there are plenty of affordable lodging and housing options around for expats seeking a place to settle down.

Related Post: Best Property Rentals in Playas del Coco

#4

The Pristine Beaches of the South Pacific Coast

The southern Pacific coast is a remote region with unblemished sea shores, different natural life, and immaculate rainforest.

Uvita

Untouched nature all around assisting you to dial back into a relaxing kind of living is what you can expect to find in Uvita. This magnificent Costa Rican paradise isn’t overdeveloped as it remains a small town, so instead of listening to all the noise of a big city, you will be hearing the sound of monkeys, toucans, and many birds around.

Thanks to the variety of amenities that can be found there (such as a bilingual international school, supermarkets, banks, and good healthcare including dental) it is a good spot to consider if you move to Costa Rica with kids. The expat community here loves outdoor activities as there are many to do in the area, along with wellness centers, farmer’s markets, and more.

The lush landscapes and stunning beaches are also considered factors of the expat experience. The cost of living in the southern pacific region sure helps, too.

Dominical

Only a 20 minutes drive from Uvita, there is Dominical, which has some of the best waves for surfing in Costa Rica. With proximity to green mountains all around and sort of a rural hippie town vibe, Dominical lacks commercial development but yet manages to have the essentials around like restaurants, and mini markets, to name a few.

While you won’t find the big box stores and efficient transportation of the bigger cities and more popular areas, digital nomads, retirees, and anyone looking for the beach life with an active expat community will find Dominical as a best area to live in Costa Rica.

It is about 22 miles from San Isidro del General, a bigger city that has a public as well as a private hospital for expat seeking good quality healthcare, a variety of banks, bigger shops, government offices, and more. Buses run regularly in the region, and costs are very reasonable.

#5

Nicoya Peninsula

National Geographic named the Nicoya Peninsula one of the 5 Blue Zones in the world and surely one of the best places to settle down in Costa Rica.

Nosara

Nosara has a wide range of magnificent beaches famous for a variety of activities such as surfing (Playa Guiones), kayaking (Playa Nosara), fishing (Playa Garza), turtle nesting (Ostional), or simply relaxing and sunbathing (Playa Pelada).

Having all that easily accessible makes the popular town of Nosara an area very appealing to expats, one of the great places in the Costa Rican landscape. Diversity not only in nature but in the population is another interesting aspect of this place, as numerous expats from everywhere in the world live here.

The small city of Nosara has at your disposal all the low-cost commodities and amenities needed to satisfy your needs, including a steady internet connection, welcoming community, and vibrant nightlife.

Montezuma

Montezuma is a small but thriving bohemian beach town located in a uniquely amazing geologic place. The coastal village of Montezuma is another culturally diverse community – with one of the best climates and weather – that has embraced many expats that have come to enjoy life in a slower-paced way.

Since it is a small town, it is very united and everybody knows each other. The cost of living here is very affordable compared to other areas in Costa Rica and it offers proximity to high-quality conveniences, services, and facilities to meet its community standards and the specific needs of expats seeking resources.

Business improvement has not impacted Montezuma’s natural surroundings in a negative way, on the contrary, it has promoted a healthy balance that expats love about this place.

It is also makes the list as a place that is safe for expats to live in Costa Rica.

Tips

Don’t trust only the research or recommendations from others about a specific place to live in Costa Rica. Rent a place for a few days in the area you like the most and experience for yourself if it meets your expectations and needs.

The cost of living depends highly on your lifestyle,  however, you will find that even when Costa Rica is more expensive than neighboring countries in Central America,  it is certainly cheaper than US coastal towns.

Experience The Best Places to Live in Costa Rica for Expats

Any of the locations listed above count on many options when it comes to housing (either buying or renting). If you have made up your mind about the possibility of moving to Costa Rica and need further guidance, explore our long-term rentals, condos, or beachfront properties.

FAQs

Where is the best place to live in Costa Rica?

The beauty of choosing where to set roots down in Costa Rica is that you can’t really go wrong. Whether you decide to settle down in the central valley, near the pristine beaches of the Pacific coastline, or the diverse, exotic east coast of the Caribbean, you can find the tropical paradise you’ve been dreaming of.

Where do most expats live in Costa Rica?

Most expats in Costa Rica live in areas like the central valley, which includes cities like Escazú, Santa Ana, and Atenas. These regions are known for for their modern conveniences, good healthcare, and proximity to San José, the capital. Coastal areas like Tamarindo, Nosara, and Puerto Viejo also attract many expats, especially those seeking a laid-back lifestyle. These locations offer a mix of expat networks, natural beauty, and access to local culture.

Where is the safest place for expats to live in Costa Rica?

The safest places for expats in the country are typically found in the Central Valley, known for its low crime rates, contemporary amenities, and close distance to San Jose. Coastal towns like Nosara and Playa Hermosa also have reputations for safety, with tight-knit expat groups . Regardless of location, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and follow local safety guidelines.