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Costa Rica · Americas

San José

Best for: Pura Vida-curious nomads who want an English-friendly, eco-leaning Central America base.

Mid-tier monthly cost

Full breakdown

$1,690/mo

  • Rent$800
  • Groceries$280
  • Dining out$280
  • Transport$50
  • Utilities$100
  • Coworking$180

Climate at a glance

Year heatmap

Tropical highland

Best months

  • J
  • F
  • M
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • N
  • D

Annual range: 23°–25°C

FIRE math at this cost

Run scenarios

Annual spend

$20,280

FIRE target (4% SWR)

$507,000

Coast-FIRE @ 7%/30yr

$66,603

Editorial estimates using the standard 4% Trinity-study rule. Run the FIRE calculator for sequence-of-returns risk, custom withdrawal rates, and country-specific tax assumptions.

Visa for nomads

Medium nomad-friendly

Pathway

Extendable tourist

Program

Costa Rica Rentista

Typical max stay

24 months

Rentista ($2,500/mo income, 2 years) or Pensionado for retirees; tourist extensions also possible.

Visa concierges

Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with the relevant consulate before applying — visa programs change with little notice.

Field notes

Higher quality of life than its Central American peers, with corresponding price premium. Escazú and Santa Ana are the expat anchors. Costa Rica's Rentista visa and Pensionado visa cover most long-stay nomads. The capital is the access point for the rest of the country (beaches, jungles).

Sitting at 1,170m altitude — perpetual spring (23-25°C). Dry season (December–April) is the headline window. Wet season (May–November) brings reliable afternoon rain — often clear mornings, then 2pm downpour.

Similar bases

Build your stack for San José