Costa Rica · Americas
Puerto Viejo
Costs last verified
Part of the Cost of Living Abroad guideMonthly cost
$1,520Estimate for a solo remote worker — verify current local prices.
Studying here? About $1,020/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 →
Puerto Viejo at a glance
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica costs about $1,520 USD a month for a solo remote worker, with rent at 43% of that budget. The biggest budget line is rent at $650 and the smallest is transport at $70. In our data internet averages 60 Mbps and safety scores 6/10. Similar cities range from Florianopolis at $1,500 a month to Colonia del Sacramento at $1,530.
Costs verified on September 10, 2026 (Eastern Time).
Questions about Puerto Viejo
How much does it cost to live in Puerto Viejo?
A solo remote worker in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica spends an estimated $1,520 USD/month on rent, food, transport and coworking, based on our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much is rent in Puerto Viejo?
Rent in Puerto Viejo is an estimated $650 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How fast is the internet in Puerto Viejo?
Internet in Puerto Viejo averages 60 Mbps in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much does coworking cost in Puerto Viejo?
A coworking space in Puerto Viejo costs an estimated $90 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
Is Puerto Viejo safe?
Puerto Viejo has a safety score of 6/10 in our cost-of-living breakdown.
What is Puerto Viejo's nomad score?
Puerto Viejo scores 6/10 on our nomad score, which weighs cost, safety and internet quality for remote workers.