Phuket vs Puerto Viejo: cost of living for digital nomads
Phuket, Thailand and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Phuket is about 5% cheaper than Puerto Viejo for a month of nomad living ($1,450 vs $1,520).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $600 in Phuket against $650 in Puerto Viejo.
- Phuket scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Phuket: 180 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Phuket wins 6 of the measured lines; Puerto Viejo wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Phuket or Puerto Viejo?
Phuket is cheaper: about $1,450/month against $1,520/month in Puerto Viejo, roughly 5% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Phuket or Puerto Viejo?
Phuket scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Puerto Viejo.
Which has faster internet, Phuket or Puerto Viejo?
Phuket has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Puerto Viejo.
| Line | Phuket | Puerto Viejo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,450 | $1,520 |
| Rent | $600 | $650 |
| Food | $380 | $420 |
| Transport | $70 | $70 |
| Coworking | $120 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | mid | small |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
Compare Puerto Viejo with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Phuket September 10, 2026, Puerto Viejo September 10, 2026.