Costa Rica: The Perfect Digital Nomad Destination
Fast internet, no tax on foreign income, a dedicated nomad visa, and some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. Costa Rica checks every box for remote workers.
$3,000
Min. Monthly Income for DN Visa
$0
Tax on Foreign Income
50-300
Mbps Internet Speed
The Digital Nomad Visa
Costa Rica's DN visa (Ley 10.008) offers 1 year + 1 year renewal for remote workers earning $3,000+/month ($4,000 for families). Foreign income is explicitly tax-exempt.
Best Towns for Digital Nomads
- Santa Teresa — surf + work lifestyle, strong nomad community
- Nosara — wellness + coworking, beautiful setting
- Tamarindo — biggest beach town, good infrastructure
- Escazú/Santa Ana — urban, fast internet, coworking spaces
- Jacó — closest beach to SJO, affordable
- San José (Barrio Escalante) — foodie district, urban culture, fiber internet
Internet Reality Check
Urban areas (Central Valley): 50-300 Mbps fiber available. Beach towns: varies widely — Tamarindo and Nosara have good options; remote areas may need Starlink. Always test internet before signing a lease.