🏡 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica for Expats (2026 Guide)

Costa Rica has become one of the most popular destinations in the world for expats, retirees, and digital nomads. Many people researching relocation eventually ask the same question: what are the best places to live in Costa Rica for expats?

One of the first questions people ask is where the best places to live in Costa Rica are. The country offers a wide range of living options—from vibrant beach towns along the Pacific coast to cooler mountain communities in the Central Valley and quieter jungle regions filled with wildlife.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best places to live in Costa Rica for expats, including popular destinations like Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, the Central Valley, La Fortuna, and Costa Ballena. Each location offers a different mix of lifestyle, climate, cost of living, and expat community.

Whether you're looking for a surf town, a peaceful retirement community, or a nature-filled jungle escape, this overview will help you start narrowing down the places that might feel like home.

Before deciding where to live, it’s also helpful to understand the cost of living in Costa Rica, since housing, groceries, and daily expenses can vary significantly depending on the region.

🌎 Quick Comparison of Popular Places to Live in Costa Rica

Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the most popular places expats choose when moving to Costa Rica.

🌴 Tamarindo
Best for: Surf culture, social life, digital nomads
Cost level: $$$

🏖️ Playas del Coco
Best for: Retirees, boating, convenience near the airport
Cost level: $$

🌋 La Fortuna / Arenal
Best for: Nature lovers, wellness lifestyle, outdoor adventure
Cost level: $$

🌄 Central Valley (Atenas, Grecia, Escazú)
Best for: Healthcare access, mild weather, long-term living
Cost level: $$

🏝️ Jacó
Best for: City energy with beach access
Cost level: $$

🐒 Quepos / Manuel Antonio
Best for: Wildlife, tourism opportunities, lush coastal scenery
Cost level: $$

🐋 Costa Ballena (Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal)
Best for: Quiet expat communities and nature
Cost level: $$

🏄 Santa Teresa
Best for: Surfing, wellness lifestyle, digital nomads
Cost level: $$$

🐢 Sámara
Best for: Families and relaxed beach living
Cost level: $$

🌴 Tamarindo

Best for: Surf, social life, and digital nomads

Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica’s most famous beach towns — with great surf, solid infrastructure, and a steady expat and tourist scene. It’s highly walkable, packed with restaurants and cafes, and has strong internet access. It also comes with a higher cost of living than more remote towns.

Located in Guanacaste Province
Hot, dry climate most of the year
Active nightlife and beach scene
Ideal for first-time expats or solo travelers

Spend time exploring Tamarindo’s beaches, restaurants, and expat neighborhoods to see if the town fits your lifestyle.

👉 Experience Tamarindo →

🏖️ Playas del Coco

Best for: Retirees, boaters, and coastal convenience

Just 30 minutes from Liberia International Airport, Playas del Coco offers a mix of laid-back living and practical access. The town center is flat and walkable, but much of the residential area is built into the hills — offering great views, but requiring a car and comfort with steep terrain. It has a large retiree population and is growing in services.

Calm bay, good for boating
Flat downtown area, hilly surrounding neighborhoods
Growing access to healthcare and supermarkets
Quieter than Tamarindo, but still social

Walk through the town center, and explore nearby beaches to get a feel for Coco’s relaxed coastal lifestyle.

👉 Visit Playas del Coco →

🌋 La Fortuna / Arenal

Best for: Nature lovers, hot springs, and wellness seekers

La Fortuna sits in the lush northern interior, near the base of Arenal Volcano. It’s known for adventure tourism, hot springs, and eco-lodges. While cooler at night, the region is humid year-round due to the rainforest climate. Fewer expats live here full-time, but the area offers a lower cost of living and a more immersive experience.

Great for hiking, wellness, and off-the-beaten-path living
Affordable housing options
Hot, humid climate with frequent rain
Smaller, tight-knit community

Explore the local markets, soak in the hot springs, and take in the views of Arenal Volcano to see what everyday life feels like in this nature-filled town.

👉 Plan Your Stay in La Fortuna →

🌄 Central Valley (Atenas, Grecia, San Ramón, Escazú)

Best for: Long-term living, healthcare access, and mild weather

Costa Rica’s Central Valley is where most of the country’s population lives — and for good reason. It offers stable, spring-like weather, excellent healthcare, and easy access to services. Towns like Atenas and Grecia are popular with retirees, while Escazú offers a more modern, upscale feel closer to the capital.

70–80°F year-round temperatures
Close to private hospitals and major highways
Lower cost of living compared to coastal hotspots
Strong communities and infrastructure

Visit towns like Atenas, Grecia, or Escazú to experience the mild climate, local markets, and everyday conveniences that attract many long-term expats.

👉 Experience the Central Valley →

🏝️ Jaco

Best for: City energy with beach access

Jacó is the most urban beach town in Costa Rica, just 1.5 to 2 hours from San José. It features paved roads, high-rise condos, reliable amenities, and an active nightlife scene. It’s ideal for expats who want to enjoy the beach without sacrificing convenience — though it may not suit those seeking a more tranquil or laid-back setting.

Good rental inventory and shopping
Surf-friendly beach
Lively and walkable
Can feel crowded or hectic depending on season

Spend time walking the beach, visiting local cafés, and exploring the lively downtown area to see if Jacó’s energy matches your lifestyle.

👉 Plan Your Visit to Jacó →

🐒 Quepos / Manuel Antonio

Best for: National park access, tourism income, and lush coast living

Located on the Central Pacific coast, Quepos is a gateway town to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most visited parks in Costa Rica. While Manuel Antonio is a more touristy zone filled with boutique hotels and hilltop villas, Quepos offers a more affordable and local-feeling base with walkable streets, a marina, and access to essential services.

The region is green, tropical, and full of wildlife. Expats who settle here often blend into the local economy through tourism, remote work, or seasonal rentals. It's a good spot for those who want nature, amenities, and community — all within a short drive of each other.

Popular with both long-term expats and seasonal residents
Excellent restaurants and activities geared toward visitors
Hilly terrain in Manuel Antonio; Quepos town is flatter and more practical
Access to private clinics, public hospital, and Quepos Marina
Expect high humidity and regular rain during wet season

Explore the marina, visit Manuel Antonio National Park, and enjoy the local restaurants to experience the balance of nature and community in this region.

👉 Experience Quepos & Manuel Antonio →

🐋 Costa Ballena (Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal)

Best for: Peaceful expat life, nature, and community

Located along the Southern Pacific coast, the Costa Ballena region is known for its untouched beauty, abundant wildlife, and growing expat communities. Uvita offers basic services, Dominical is a laid-back surf town, and Ojochal is famous for fine dining and tranquility. It's less developed than the north, but that's part of the appeal.

Whale watching, waterfalls, and jungle coastlines
Tight-knit and supportive expat community
Reliable internet but some infrastructure gaps
Popular for eco-living and semi-off-grid lifestyles

Explore Life in Costa Ballena

Spend time in Dominical, Uvita, or Ojochal to explore waterfalls, beaches, and the growing expat communities along this beautiful stretch of coastline.

👉 Plan Your Visit to Costa Ballena →

🏄 Santa Teresa

Best for: Surfers, digital nomads, and off-grid adventure

Santa Teresa, on the Nicoya Peninsula, has exploded in popularity in recent years. With world-class surf, boutique hotels, wellness centers, and international cafes, it blends rustic charm with a luxury vibe. The area is remote and has limited infrastructure, but many expats love the lifestyle.

Stunning beaches and sunsets
Expensive relative to services
Rough roads and power outages are common
Attracts creatives, wellness seekers, and entrepreneurs

Explore Life in Santa Teresa

Surf the beaches, visit local cafés, and explore the wellness and yoga scene to see if Santa Teresa’s laid-back lifestyle is the right fit.

👉 Experience Santa Teresa →

🐢 Sámara

Best for: Families, quiet beach life, and relaxed living

Sámara is a small beach town with a calm, swimmable bay and a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s less developed than Tamarindo but offers just enough convenience for most daily needs. It has a mix of locals and expats and is great for those who want simplicity over scene.

Peaceful and walkable
Popular language schools and local markets
Slower pace of life
Great place to unplug and settle in

Walk the calm beach, visit the town center, and explore local markets to experience the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere of Sámara.

👉 Experience Samara →

✍️ Final Thoughts

Choosing where to live in Costa Rica isn’t just about scenery — it’s about how you want to live.
Some towns are walkable, others require a 4x4. Some are humid and wild, others are mild and structured. What feels like paradise to one person may feel isolating to another. Understanding the cost of living in Costa Rica is one of the most important steps before moving.

How to Choose the Right Place to Live in Costa Rica

Things to consider when choosing a location:

• climate preferences
• healthcare access
• internet reliability
• expat community size
• cost of living
• proximity to airports

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best place to live in Costa Rica for expats?
Popular expat communities include Atenas, Grecia, Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, and Uvita because of their infrastructure, climate, and access to services.

Where do most American expats live in Costa Rica?
Many American expats settle in the Central Valley towns such as Atenas, Grecia, Escazú, and Santa Ana due to the mild climate and proximity to healthcare.

What is the cheapest place to live in Costa Rica?
Smaller inland towns such as San Ramón, Grecia, and parts of the Northern Zone often offer lower housing costs than major beach towns.

The best way to decide is to visit.
Spend a week or two in a few different areas. This site can help you plan your trip and explore your options.

Visit Tamarindo

Visit Playas Del Coco

Visit Samara

Visit La Fortuna / Arenal

Visit the Central Valley

Visit Jaco

Visit Quepos / Manuel Antonio

Visit Costa Ballena (Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal)

Visit Santa Teresa