Costa Rica · Americas
Atenas
Costs last verified
Part of the Cost of Living Abroad guideMonthly cost
$1,580Estimate for a solo remote worker — verify current local prices.
Studying here? About $1,060/mo
Studying here? Reckon on roughly 35% less. Shared halls instead of a private flat is most of it, with a meal plan, a student travel pass and a campus you do not have to rent a desk in doing the rest. Phone, insurance and a social life cost the same either way.
At a glance
Healthcare, taxes & language
The decisive three for a longer stay in Costa Rica.
Healthcare
Affiliation to the CCSS (the Caja) is OBLIGATORY for foreign residents who are legally in the country, not optional — the system runs on universality and solidarity, and residency comes with the duty to contribute. Employees are enrolled by their employer; self-employed residents must enrol and contribute themselves. Without legal status there is no affiliation, only treatment as an uninsured patient paying for services.
Taxes
Not taxed. Individuals pay only on Costa Rican-source income.
English
Moderate — English is common in San José, tourist zones (Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo) and among younger/professional workers, but limited in rural areas.
Getting in — Costa Rica
Full Costa Rica guideTop visa routes, ranked by route score — stay, ease and speed.
Digital Nomad Visa (Estancia / Rentista remota)
1 year, renewable 1 year
Pensionado (Retirement) Residency
2 years, renewable; leads to permanent residency
Student Temporary Stay
Length of the course, renewed annually
Similar places in Americas
Comparable cost, same part of the world. Compare side by side →
Atenas at a glance
Atenas, Costa Rica costs about $1,580 USD a month for a solo remote worker, with rent at 44% of that budget. The biggest budget line is rent at $700 and the smallest is transport at $70. In our data internet averages 90 Mbps and safety scores 8/10. Similar cities range from Las Terrenas at $1,580 a month to Sao Paulo at $1,600.
Costs verified on September 10, 2026 (Eastern Time).
Questions about Atenas
How much does it cost to live in Atenas?
A solo remote worker in Atenas, Costa Rica spends an estimated $1,580 USD/month on rent, food, transport and coworking, based on our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much is rent in Atenas?
Rent in Atenas is an estimated $700 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How fast is the internet in Atenas?
Internet in Atenas averages 90 Mbps in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much does coworking cost in Atenas?
A coworking space in Atenas costs an estimated $90 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
Is Atenas safe?
Atenas has a safety score of 8/10 in our cost-of-living breakdown.
What is Atenas's nomad score?
Atenas scores 6/10 on our nomad score, which weighs cost, safety and internet quality for remote workers.