Costa Rica's digital nomad visa requires about $3,000 a month in proven remote income, costs around $190 to apply and is usually decided in 2–6 weeks. Costa Rica is an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers. Internet infrastructure is good, and the cost of living is generally fair. For those working remotely across Americas, Costa Rica offers reliable bases that suit stays of weeks or months. Explore the top destinations below to find your ideal base in Costa Rica.

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Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa

✓ Visa available

At a glance

$3,000/mo

Min income

$190

Fee

1 year

Validity

2–6 weeks

Processing

Required

Insurance

REQUIRED STEP 1

Insurance

Health cover for the visa

SafetyWing

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Trusted by nomads worldwide

REQUIRED STEP 2

Proof of funds

A borderless account · show ~$3,000/mo

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Living in Costa Rica

Human Development Index0.806 · #64

InternetGood

Cost of livingFair

SafetyGood

Costa Rican colón (₡) · Capital: San José · Spanish · +506

How to apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa

1Show US$3,000/month stable income (US$4,000 with dependants).
2Prove the income comes from outside Costa Rica.
3Hold health insurance covering the full stay.
4Apply online via Trámite Ya or at immigration in San José.

Official government source →

Facts last reviewed: 14 July 2026 · always confirm with the official source before applying.

Top destinations in Costa Rica

5 destinations tracked

Frequently asked questions

Does Costa Rica have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Costa Rica offers a remote-work visa valid for 1 year, extendable 1 year, with typical processing of 2–6 weeks. Facts last reviewed 2026-07-14.

What income do you need for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?

Approximately US$3,000 per month from remote work outside Costa Rica. Always verify the current threshold on the official source.

How much does the Costa Rica nomad visa cost?

The application fee is roughly US$190. Additional costs can include insurance, document translation and legalisation.

Is health insurance required for the Costa Rica nomad visa?

Yes — proof of health insurance covering your stay in Costa Rica is a required part of the application.

Remote work in Costa Rica: what the data says

We track 5 cities in Costa Rica: Jacó, Puerto Viejo, San José, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo. Monthly budgets average around $1,760: Puerto Viejo is the most affordable base at roughly $1,500, while Santa Teresa runs about $2,000. For connectivity, San José leads with an internet score of 4.1/5.

The main language is Spanish and the dialing code is +506. Before booking flights, check Costa Rica public holidays — banks, offices and some coworking spaces close. Time-zone planning for calls back home is easiest with the Meeting Planner.

City snapshot: Costa Rica at a glance

Jacó — ~$1,700/mo; 3.6/5 overall; internet 3.7/5; safety 4/5. Live clock: local time.
Puerto Viejo — ~$1,500/mo; 3.7/5 overall; internet 3.4/5; safety 4.1/5. Live clock: local time.
San José — ~$1,700/mo; 3.8/5 overall; internet 4.1/5; safety 3.9/5. Live clock: local time.
Santa Teresa — ~$2,000/mo; 3.8/5 overall; internet 3.5/5; safety 4.3/5. Live clock: local time.
Tamarindo — ~$1,900/mo; 3.9/5 overall; internet 3.8/5; safety 4.2/5. Live clock: local time.

Costa Rica spans 1 time zone among our tracked cities (America/Costa_Rica). The reference offset is UTC-6 mid-year, without daylight saving. Weigh Costa Rica against neighbours with our comparison pages linked from each city, or scan the whole region on the cities index.

Frequently asked questions

Which city in Costa Rica is best for digital nomads?

Compare our tracked hubs: Jacó, Puerto Viejo, San José, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo.

What is the cheapest city in Costa Rica for remote work?

Puerto Viejo, at roughly $1,500 per month for a single nomad.

How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica as a nomad?

Across the cities we track, budgets average about $1,760 per month.

What language is spoken in Costa Rica?

Primarily Spanish.

What time zone is Costa Rica in?

Costa Rica's tracked cities use America/Costa_Rica among others.

When are public holidays in Costa Rica?

See the full list with dates.

Written by the TimeDateLive Editorial Team·Editorial policy·Data sources·Contact