A Digital Nomad Guide to San José

San José Visa

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to stay up to 90 days in the country as tourists: Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Vatican City, Chile, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States of America, Estonia, Finland ,, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Monaco, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Serbia, South Africa, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Czech Republic, Republic of South Korea, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay.

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to stay in the country for up to 30 days (extendable to 90) as tourists: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Dominica, El Salvador, Philippines, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Kingdom of Tonga, Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Suriname, Tuvalu, Turkey, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

People who have visas valid for three months in the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan or the European Union (or Schengen visa in the passport) or have legal permits (residence, work, study or refugee) from these countries, can enter Costa Rica without a tourist visa.

Citizens of the countries not mentioned need a tourist visa when entering Costa Rica and a valid passport for at least six months. This visa allows them a stay of 30 days, extendable to 90 days. I recommend contacting the embassy.

If you are not a Costa Rican citizen, you must have a work visa or a residence permit in order to work. If you apply for residency, you cannot work without prior authorization and approval.

Culture and Food in San José

In addition to its landscapes, Costa Rica also has the ideal growing season throughout the year for any ingredient a chef desires. Therefore, it is a good place for foodies.

Furca is among the best restaurants in San José de Costa Rica. Located in the Rohrmoser district of San José, Furca is a farm-to-table restaurant that supports local farmers and maintains a large urban garden. It specializes in homemade steaks and creative seafood dishes. Its dining room is modern and elegant, with an open kitchen.

At the northern end of Parque Metropolitano La Sabana de San José, Park Café is housed in a mansion that also serves as an antique shop. Here Michelin-rated chef Richard Neat makes tapas of scallop wrapped in Serrano ham with Torta Español and Vichyssoise sauce or octopus braised in white wine with parsley sauce and grilled chorizo.

Andiamo Lá is a contemporary Italian restaurant, located on the outskirts of the capital. It offers an extensive menu of classic Italian dishes. Its interior dining room is spacious and contemporary, with a patio surrounded by fountains and lush vegetation.

The Grano de Oro restaurant makes you travel to a past covered in luxury. Located in a Victorian mansion, it is considered one of the best dining experiences in the country. French chef Francis Canal prepares a European menu with strong local influences that contains options as varied as chicken, beef, duck, rabbit, lamb, fish and seafood. Some of the stellar dishes are the corvina encrusted with macadamia nuts or the filet mignon stuffed with gorgonzola.

Doris Metropolitan serves local dishes. She differentiated herself from others thanks to her alliance with a cattle farm in southern Costa Rica that feeds her cows grass and pineapple, which gives the meat a different flavor and texture.

Tin Jo is another classic of the Costa Rican gastronomic scene. Located in a beautiful colonial hacienda, the menu here includes flavors and ingredients from China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, with multiple vegetarian options and exotic desserts.

San José Nightlife

From craft breweries to 24-hour nightclubs with huge dance floors, you will discover many new adventures after a busy day exploring San José de Costa Rica. Full of vibrant people and places, this fun-loving city comes alive at night. The nightlife of San José de Costa Rica revolves around three areas: Escazú, El Pueblo and San Pedro.

Escazú, to the west, is called the pink zone for its elegance and high prices. There are restaurants such as the Pocket, bars to listen to live music such as La Central, or fashionable nightclubs in the capital such as Mood Club.

El Pueblo has a spectacular atmosphere, both day and night. Just ten minutes from downtown by car, it has good restaurants and nightclubs that are full of young people, attracted by its varied offer and cheap prices. The Friends or the Ebony Club are some of the best ones. 

San Pedro comprises a lot of neighborhoods. Very close to the University of Costa Rica is Calle de la Amargura. The area is popular among students for its many bars and restaurants. To start with something quiet, Pub Piso 3 (on Calle 2) is an excellent option. Jazz Cafe set the standard for concerts and remains one of the best places to see artists and bands from around the world. His stage has welcomed people like Scott Henderson, Dennis Chambers and Frank Gambale.

Other recommendations are The Craic Irish Pub. The place has a classic Irish vibe, with lots of different craft beers on tap.

Costa Rica’s Craft Brewing Company is located an hour from San José, and is a restored factory that serves the best craft beer limiting itself to whole grains, hops, yeast and water in the creation of its beers. From 4-6pm, they offer a tour of the factory explaining the process and offering tastings of more than seven different types of beer.

Things to do in San José

San José de Costa Rica is not the main attraction of the country but it still has its charm and a lot of places to visit.

• National Theater of Costa Rica

  The National Theater of Costa Rica has been the emblem of San José since 1897. You will realize that they spared no expense when building it. The theater is still in operation although there are also guided tours from Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm to appreciate its beauty and its historicist architecture.

• Melico Salazar Popular Theater

  In front of the Central Park is the second most important theater in the capital: the Melico Salazar Popular Theater. This public theater’s main function is to democratize culture. His name refers to the world-renowned Costa Rican tenor.

• National Museum of Costa Rica

  If you are interested in history, you can visit the National Museum of Costa Rica in the historic Bellavista Barracks. There you can see curious objects such as the car in which the Pope traveled when he visited the country. It also has a butterfly farm and an exhibition of insects. Instead, the Jade Museum houses the world’s largest collection of objects made from jade.

• Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

  The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum contains 1500 objects made in gold dating from between the years 500 and 1,500 and that belong to the Costa Rican pre-Columbian people. It is a museum that is very well documented and explains the importance of objects in people’s daily lives.

• Metropolitan Cathedral of San José

  Among the most important religious buildings is the Metropolitan Cathedral of San José, which began to be built in 1825. After several earthquakes, the Cathedral, of neoclassical and mud style, has undergone many changes in its short history.

• Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced

  Although for me the most beautiful of all is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced with neo-gothic style and columns painted by hand in various colors. It is unlike any I have ever seen before. Its details make it different.

• Central Avenue

  Central Avenue is the oldest street in San José and constitutes the central axis of the economy, culture and commerce of the capital. It has 12 pedestrian blocks with more than 220 clothing stores, shoe stores and restaurants. It is the ideal place to go shopping.

• Correos

  The Correos building, designed in a neo-renaissance style by a Catalan in 1917, is also a must see in San José de Costa Rica. Right behind him is the Central Bank building, which at 80 meters was the tallest building in the country until 2011. San José is a city characterized by low-rise architecture and when one sees such a construction, it stands out.

• Central Market

  The Central Market, open since 1880 and declared Cultural Heritage, is another recommended site. It has more than 200 shops, stalls and restaurants. Without a doubt, a good place to get to know the local atmosphere.

• Chinatown

  The city also has a Chinatown. The area began to develop at the end of the 20th century when restaurants and supermarkets run by Orientals were created. It was the first Chinatown in a Central American city.

• SJO Vive

  One of the most touristic sites is the modern SJO Vive letters in which foreigners stop to take a picture. If you know Amsterdam or New York you know what I’m talking about. These giant letters are intended to affirm the identity of its people and their pride.

• La Sabana Metropolitan Park

  To disconnect from the chaos of the city, you can visit the 72 hectares of La Sabana Metropolitan Park, which is located 1.100 meters above sea level. Here it is very common to see people practicing sports and playing football.

• Irazú Volcano

  A day trip from San José de Costa Rica is the Irazú Volcano, one of the most beautiful in the country. Be mindful of the weather forecast because fog can cover it and block the view. With 3.432 meters of altitude and five craters, Irazú is the highest volcano in Costa Rica. It still remains active, although no significant eruption has been observed since 1994. Its volcanic water lagoon, in the main crater, has a turquoise color that will make you have to lower the saturation of your photos. You can go both by public bus and on a tour that includes a visit to the Orosi Valley and the Lankester Garden. 

• Cartago

  At the base of the volcano is Cartago, one of the most important cities in Costa Rica. The city was founded in 1563 by the Spanish conqueror Juan Vázquez de Coronado. From then until the independence of Costa Rica in 1821 it was the residence of the governors and the Costa Rican elite.

• Morazán Park and Poás volcano

  Another short excursion to consider is Morazán Park that has the Temple of Music, declared an Architectural Historical Heritage. Also, the Poás volcano and its national park. Its main crater, 300 meters deep and 1,32 km in diameter, is one of the largest in the world. The park offers incredible trekking trails and a wide biodiversity.

• La Paz Waterfall

  If you still have days off, La Paz Waterfall is approximately an hour and a half from the capital. The cost of entry includes a conservatory of animals and gardens with more than five waterfalls. 

• Tortuguero National Park

  Tortuguero National Park, located on the Caribbean coast, can also be visited from San José in just one day. If you have little time in the country, there are excursions that pick you up at the hotel and return you on the same day. Enjoy it!

Best Time to Visit San José

The climate in Costa Rica is tropical due to the location between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. It can be divided into a dry season (summer) and a rainy season (winter). The average annual temperature in San José is 24 °C and the average annual rainfall is 2299 mm. It does not rain for 66 days per year. The average humidity is 84% ​​and the UV Index is 5.

During the dry season, from December to April, it is mostly dry and warm. There is a difference between the temperatures in the plains, in the mountains and on the beach. On average, temperatures during the dry season in Costa Rica range from 25 °C to 30 °C.

During the rainy season, from May to November, there are more rains, cooler temperatures, and high humidity.

The best time to explore Costa Rica is from December to April, during the dry season. Although if you want to go deep into the jungle or surf the Pacific coast, the rainy season is the best option, from May to November. During the so-called green season the prices are cheaper.

San José for Families

The public education system in Costa Rica has improved a lot in recent years and is among one of the best in Latin America. However, if we compare it with Europe and the United States, the level of education is very low. As an alternative, you can find private international schools which offer a higher quality of teaching, despite the fact that the level still cannot be compared.

Universities, on the other hand, have a lot of recognition in Latin America and many people from neighboring countries come to study at Costa Rica’s universities.

Another factor to consider is that children will have the possibility to grow up in a natural environment, surrounded by cultural diversity and values. Costa Ricans are very nice people and they welcome children. In addition, here you can hire a babysitter and help to clean the house for very low prices, which will allow you to have a balance between work and quality of time with your children.

Living in San José

San José Transportation

If you want to live in Costa Rica, you should think about buying a car or a motorcycle to have freedom of movement. In the city there is usually a lot of traffic during business hours but this also applies to public transport. Instead, a car will allow you to easily get out of the city at your leisure. Keep in mind that the speed limit on most roads is 80 or 90 km/h, that most roads are not in good condition and that you will find many unpaved roads with a bad sign system. Get all the information on the website of the Road Safety Council of Costa Rica.

If you are in a central area, within San José de Costa Rica, walking is going to be your best option. The center is small enough to be explored on foot and in this way you will avoid vehicular traffic, which can be extremely chaotic.

Public buses have cheap fares of around 0.82 USD per ride or 44 USD for a monthly pass. It is your best option besides walking, if you have a limited budget. However, the drivers of the public buses do not speak English. if you do not speak Spanish, you should research how to get to the final destination before starting the trip.

If you are in a hurry or you prefer to have more comfort without having to deal with traffic, taxis in Costa Rica are the best option. Taxis are red and they are organized in cooperatives. The rate is ¢ 670 the first kilometer and the additional kilometer ¢ 625 for urban rides and ¢ 650 for rural rides.

To go out from the capital, the urban train is a fast and cheap way. Some of the urban train destinations are Pavas, San Pedro, Curridabat, Belén, Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago. You can also travel by tourist bus. La Coca Cola bus terminal, located in the center of San José de Costa Rica, is the main one in the entire country. This terminal offers internal travel transportation to all parts of the country and it also offers transfers to destinations such as Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.

Fitness and Health

In San José there are 31 gyms with various activities and classes to choose from: bodybuilding, Zumba, Crossfit, Pilates, yoga and more.

There are also full-service workout and fitness centers that provide personal trainers, classes or schedule aerobics with modern facilities. After sweating out that 6-pack, sit in a sauna or Jacuzzi for a while. Whatever your poison for fitness, Costa Rica has it all, including women only programs like Curves, the fitness franchise for women that has more than 8.000 centers around the world.

A recommended but not cheap gym is World Gym Escazú. The subscription prices are 20 USD per day, 50 USD per week or 120 USD per month. Here you will find a huge well-equipped gym, separate dedicated rooms and timetables for cycling, HIIT and yoga as well as a main studio for a wide range of classes, a dedicated stretching area, and full-length swimming pool. Take a padlock for the lockers and bring your own towel.

Arena Trek Gym is located in the Plaza Paco and it offers weights, Yoga, lifting, power jump, salsa and Pilates classes.

Multispa, unlike the other gyms, was created from the need to find a balance between our physical, mental and spiritual parts. It has personal trainers, gym, spa and other appropriate services. 

San José People

The local people are actually one of the country’s greatest assets. Costa Ricans are well known around the world for being very friendly and cheerful, both with compatriots and with foreigners. They always receive you with a huge smile and if you have a problem, you will surely receive help quickly. The greeting “Pura vida” (pure life) is very common, which gives a sense of joy to the meeting.

Spanish is the official language, although in tourist areas they understand English which makes it an easy country to travel.

They are also normally peaceful and non-confrontational, perhaps due to the fact that Costa Rica has not had an army for almost 60 years. Racial confrontations are extremely rare and prejudices, although they exist, are shown indirectly.

The official religion of Costa Rica is the Roman Catholic religion, which is practiced by approximately 80% of the population. Other major religions are Protestant religions, Asian religions, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and The Mormon Church. There is no law that prohibits the practice of another religion.

Costa Ricans find themselves caught between the old and the new cultural forces. They still have very conservative values, but are beginning to adopt some North American cultural traits. However, they are still conservative when it comes to family matters. Family ties are very strong. Traditions revolve around the family from the moment of birth to the moment of death. Some immensely important family traditions are: baptisms, first communions, engagement parties, weddings, and funerals. These events are attended by the entire family, as well as a large number of friends and family members. Also, most live with their parents until they get married. It is still very rare to leave the family home to go to college or to have a home of your own.

In addition, they have a very high level of education and the literacy rate is 96%, which differentiates Costa Rica from other neighboring countries.

San José Insurance and Medical Care

Health is one of the most important points to consider when moving to another country. The health system in Costa Rica is among the six best countries in health care according to the International Living rating agency.

There are two health systems that can be accessed: the government-run one called Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social and known as La Caja, and the private health system.

In order to have social security, you can get the insurance with the INS (National Insurance Institute) called Seguro Voluntario, for around 50 USD per month. In this way, you will have access to public health. If you work for a company in Costa Rica, they must take care of registering you.

The other option is to pay for private health insurance from companies like AXA or travel health insurance depending on how much time you will stay and why. Private health care is expensive so it is always advisable to have private insurance or access to the public health system.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide.

Jobs in San José

Costa Rica is a small but booming economy. However, this labor economy is extremely difficult for expats. It has a law that states that a company cannot hire a foreigner for a position if it can be filled by a Costa Rican citizen. This means that foreigners are very limited in terms of available jobs. If you have a university degree you will have an advantage.

You will need to speak Spanish to work in the country, although English is an extra that could help you. I recommend that you look at the job offer options for your profession and get a job interview online and be hired from your destination country. If you don’t get any of this, you can come to Costa Rica as a tourist and hand out CVs. The areas for which the most foreigners are hired are tourism, diving, language teachers, engineers and hospitality in high season. Another option is to work as a freelancer in Costa Rica. In this way, you will be able to register with the Costa Rican treasury, work and make your bills legally without having residency. But, keep in mind, that by not having the residence you will have to renew your tourist visa every 3 months.

If you are not a Costa Rican citizen, you must have a work visa or a residence permit that allows you to work. If you apply for residency, you cannot work without prior authorization and approval. Again, you will likely need to have a job within a company before applying for a work permit. Ultimately, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their employee is legal to work within Costa Rica. If you are a foreigner, that means the company has to sponsor you and help you get a visa or a legal work permit.

Consider that wages are extremely low. The average salary in Costa Rica is about 450 USD per month.

Some good websites to start searching for a job in San José de Costa Rica are CostaRicaJobSearch (exclusively for English speaking people), Monster, Indeed (with many international companies), Glassdoor, TheTicoTimes, Craigslist. Be careful with the offers because there can be scams, but there is a chance you can still find reliable work.

Check out our in-depth Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.