The way some of us work has changed. No longer do company employees need to feel bound by proximity to their office, as they can hop on a plane and work (beachside, ideally!) while taking Zoom calls. So why not choose a destination that allows you to surf in the morning and create presentations from a hammock in the afternoon?
Remote work has become increasingly popular since the world opened back up after the pandemic. Whether it’s to escape the winter or check another country off of that travel bucket list (or a bit of both!) many Canadians are looking to ditch their office life for a more picturesque location. If this sounds like you, one exciting option is to work remotely in Costa Rica. This article will explore the ins and outs of making Costa Rica your next remote working destination.
Why choose Costa Rica for a remote working destination?
Cost of living: Costa Rica is not only beautiful but also has a relatively more affordable cost of living compared to Canada. The price of housing, food, and, transportation are still less than major Canadian cities.
For under $1000(CAD) a month, it’s possible to find a great short-term rental in a beach or mountainside destination in Costa Rica. Want to know where to start? Facebook groups are still some of the best ways to find short or longer-term rentals. Costa Rica House & Apartment Rentals is one of the biggest.
WiFi in Costa Rica: Internet speed is of course a major concern for those coming to work remotely. WiFi speed does vary in Costa Rica, and the most reliable internet can be found in the capital city of San Jose and other destinations in the Central Valley. Before booking, ask the rental owner or hotel staff about the WiFi speed. You can also purchase a local SIM card (Kolbi and Claro are two of the biggest providers) so that you have data loaded up on your smartphone. Have a busy work day ahead? Book a day at a co-working space where possible.
Warm weather: The coastline is hotter throughout the year than the mountains but generally, you will find daily temperatures ranging in the high 20s and dropping a few degrees at night – a welcome change from Canadian winters. Not only is the weather more pleasant but the landscape is truly awe-inspiring. From lush jungles to stunning beaches, you can’t find a better place to park yourself and your trusty laptop for a few months.
Lots to do and see: Surf, yoga, wildlife watching, and more – working remotely in Costa Rica means that you can finally dive into those hobbies you’ve been dreaming about.
Looking to remote work in Costa Rica? Here’s a quick overview for Canadian travellers
- Canadian travellers are typically granted a 90-day visa-free stay in Costa Rica as a tourist. Many choose this option to visit the country anytime of the year.
- Spending $2,000-2,500 a month will make for a comfortable lifestyle while you work remotely, including eating out and activities. If you opt for only international restaurants and boutique experiences however, your monthly travel budget can get much higher. Local markets, food, and lifestyle is the best way to get by on a tighter budget.
- Costa Rica has some great surfing and offers locations for both beginners and seasoned surfers. What a great way to fill your days in between meetings!
- Although Costa Rica is a wonderful spot for remote workers, the further you get away from the city, it might be more difficult to find reliable internet. Luckily, there are a number of co-working hubs that could provide you with remote working spaces and even let you meet other professionals following the same path. Some of our top picks are Puerto & Co, Sand & Surf, and LoCoWorking.
All about Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa
- If you really want to commit to a remote work life here, there’s the option to apply for Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa. According to the official website, Costa Rica’s digital nomad program “extends a 90-day tourist visa to a full year, with the option to renew for an additional year.” Other benefits include being able to use your Canadian drivers license to drive in Costa Rica. On top of that, digital nomad visa holders also won’t be taxed like a typical resident, which is around 30%. Instead, you’ll pay between 10-15% in income taxes.
- Although the process to apply is not overly complicated, there are a number of steps that you should read carefully to make sure you have everything in order. You can apply online for Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa, and you’ll typically hear back within two weeks whether your application has been approved or not. Also, note that all documents issues to the CR government in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official translation in Spanish.
- One of the requirements for the digital nomad visa program is that you must have proof that you have a stable income or an average monthly income of $3,000 U.S. dollars (around $4,050 CAD). You’ll also have to show proof of travel medical coverage for the duration of your stay (minimum coverage of $50,000 USD).
- For all the details on Costa Rica’s digital nomad program, see the official website.
Disclaimer: Before booking a trip to work remotely in Costa Rica or anywhere outside of your home city, it’s important to check with your employer that they are comfortable with you working outside of Canada (or even in a different time zone). Not all companies are comfortable having their employees out of the country or not available during regular office hours.
Top destinations to remote work in Costa Rica
Although there are few direct flights to cities in Costa Rica, there are various enticing destinations to spend a few days on a layover before you set up camp for your remote working adventure. For instance, taking a few days in Cancun or Mexico City could make for a great trip before landing in Costa Rica. And if you’re looking for some recommendations on where to check out in Costa Rica, here are some of the top spots to visit in the country.
San Jose
Best remote work hub for: city and culture dwellers
The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose is the economic and cultural hub of the country. With lots going on from bustling restaurants to a vibrant cultural scene, remote workers will find plenty of spaces to work from and meet like-minded people. If you consider yourself a ‘foodie’ make sure to book a table at Restaurant Silvestre for a truly incredible dining experience where you can enjoy local flavours in an upscale, historic setting.
You’ll find lots of co-working spaces to choose from including Costa Rica Workstation located in an exciting area of the city.
San Jose is also a good place to base yourself to take day trips or weekend excursions to the nearby countryside. Just an hour and a half drive away is Volcán Irazú, Costa Rica’s tallest volcano. Take an epic hike up here to see the crater lake at 3,400 metres above sea level. Of course if you’re staying in Costa Rica longer you’ll get to know the best day trips in and around the city.
Check out these Costa Rica hotels to start your trip.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Best remote work hub for: travellers looking for a nature escape and laid-back vibes
Located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, this destination offers surfing, nightlife, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy this tranquil part of the country. With a relatively low cost of living, remote workers will want to spend their days lounging on the beach and take in all the pura vida that they can.
Book off an afternoon and tour the Jaguar Sanctuary to see the beautiful cats of the area up close.
To get here, you can fly into San Jose or Limón Airport. Buses from San Jose to Puerto Viejo run throughout the day and cost about 5,500 colones (approximately $14 CAD). The journey takes about 5 hours total. There’s also the option to book shuttle service from the airport directly to Puerto Viejo.
Tamarindo
Best remote work hub in Costa Rica for: surfers and adventure seekers
One of the most sought-after destinations along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Tamarindo is a beach town in Guanacaste province that’s bustling with restaurants, shops, and bars. Here, remote workers can start their day surfing and end it among the crowd while enjoying the sunset. Fishing is also a popular activity in this area if catching a wave isn’t really your thing.
Internet speed can be an issue here, so we recommend checking out the co-working space Sand and Surf Coworking to make sure you don’t run into spotty WiFi service.
If you need a break and looking to stay at a hotel, check out Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort for a one-of-a-kind stay.
Interesting fact: Tamarindo has crocodiles that swim in the waters off the beach and have been known to catch some rays on the sand.
The closest airport is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, Liberia, Costa Rica. A cab into town will take about 1 hour and cost up to $120 (CAD).
Manuel Antonio
Best remote hub hub for: nature lovers
A notoriously popular destination in Costa Rica, this beautiful town is popular among remote workers. With sprawling beaches and lush rainforests, you’ll find Manuel Antonio a peaceful and welcoming place to relax at the end of your work day.
With soft, white sand and beautiful blue water, you will feel like you’ve stepped into paradise. If you’re looking for added adventure, you can go on a guided hike through the rainforest and see all that Costa Rica has to offer (including monkeys and sloths!)
Make sure to take in an epic Costa Rican sunset. Locals swear that the mirador at Ronny’s Place offers some of the best views in town.
San Jose International Airport will be your best bet but it will take some time to get there. Buses are available, however they do make a lot of stops and it can feel like a long trip. There is the option to drive which will take around 3.5 hours.
Your Costa Rica checklist
Before setting off to paradise, make sure you’re prepared by reviewing these items on your Costa Rica checklist:
- Always double-check that there is high-speed internet access in your desired location.
- Electronics are expensive in Costa Rica so if your laptop breaks or needs any type of repair, you should be prepared to pay higher prices to fix or replace it (in some cases, 2x more than you would in Canada). Although part of the digital nomad visa means that some custom taxes on electronic devices may be waived, conditions apply.
- Purchase supplemental travel health insurance and prepare to show proof as this is a requirement for entry on the digital nomad visa. And for your peace of mind, get travel insurance for your trip that covers your valuables and anything else in case of an emergency.
Costa Rica is an exciting and beautiful country to work remotely from and Canadians would benefit from all that it has to offer. Give yourself a few months to plan your trip and keep an eye out for great flight deals. Adventure awaits!
Costa Rica & working remotely: FAQs
Working remotely means that you are doing work for a company or for clients as a freelancer without needing to physically be at an office or a specific location. Many people nowadays are choosing to work remotely while spending a month or two in different places around the world – from historic seaside cities in Europe to tropical destinations like Cancun or Costa Rica.
Choosing another country to work remotely in during the winter months means you’ll get to enjoy warmer weather. On top of that there’s meeting new people, learning about a new culture, eating great food – these are all fantastic reasons to move your “office” to another country. Even if it’s for a few months.
Direct flights from Toronto Pearson Airport to Costa Rica’s San Jose International Airport are currently available on Air Canada and Air Transat. Total flight time is approximately 5 and a half hours. For flights with a stopover (usually via Miami or Cancun) the trip is usually around 7-8 hours.
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