🏡 Top Places to Live in Costa Rica for Expats

Costa Rica is small — but the lifestyle options are big.

From relaxed beach towns to cool mountain villages, there’s no one “right” place to live. Each region has a different climate, pace, price point, and expat vibe. This guide gives you a high-level look at some of the most popular destinations to help you decide where to begin your journey.

Looking for a quick overview of the top places to live in Costa Rica? This guide highlights the most popular towns for expats. If you’re ready to dive deeper—including local culture, climate, cost of living, and community insights—check out our Starter Guide to Living in Costa Rica.

🌴 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

Experience Tamarindo for Yourself

Thinking about relocating? Spend a week in Tamarindo to truly get a feel for life in this lively surf town. Explore its walkable neighborhoods, shop at local markets, relax on the beach at sunset, and mingle with both locals and expats. It’s the best way to see if Tamarindo’s laid-back yet vibrant vibe aligns with 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

Get to Know Playas del Coco

Curious about living in Coco? Plan a week-long stay in this laid-back beach town to see what life could be like. Stroll the palm-lined streets, check out local restaurants and shops, take a dip in the calm bay, and chat with friendly expats and locals. Spending time here is the best way to find out if Coco’s easygoing, convenient lifestyle is a fit for you.

👉 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

Experience Life in La Fortuna

Thinking about making La Fortuna your future home? Spend a few days exploring this lush, volcano-view town to get a real feel for everyday life. Visit the local markets, enjoy the natural hot springs, walk the charming streets, and connect with both locals and expats. Surrounded by jungle and adventure, La Fortuna offers a unique balance of nature and community that just might feel like home.

👉 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

Explore Life in the Central Valley

Curious about what daily life feels like in Costa Rica’s Central Valley? Spend time in areas like Escazú, Santa Ana, Atenas, or Grecia to get a taste of the region’s blend of modern comforts and traditional charm. From shopping at local farmers’ markets to enjoying a mild mountain climate, you'll experience what makes this region so popular with expats. With excellent healthcare, strong infrastructure, and easy access to San José and the airport, the Central Valley offers a practical and comfortable lifestyle worth exploring.

👉 Plan Your Visit to 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

Explore Life in Jacó

Jacó is a great place to test the waters. Spend a few days exploring this lively beach town known for its surf culture, nightlife, and growing expat scene. You’ll get a feel for the pace of life, the local amenities, and whether the buzz of Jacó fits your lifestyle. From beach walks at sunset to casual cafés, co-working spots, and nearby national parks, Jacó offers a unique mix of convenience and coastal adventure.

👉 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

🐋 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

🏄 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

🐢 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

✍️ 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.

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