The world has seen a dramatic rise in the number of digital nomads travelling the world to work due, in large part, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees who were previously tied to an office were suddenly allowed to work from home, and many employers have made the practice permanent. This, in turn, allows remote workers to work from anywhere—all they need is a roof over their head and a good internet connection.
And Costa Rica has quickly become the dream destination of many digital nomads for a variety of reasons. After all, the country regularly takes the top seat in Gallup poll results of the happiest places on earth. But there are other, equally important qualities that make Costa Rica the perfect destination for remote workers, and we’ve picked our top 4 to share with you.
Digital Nomad Visa
At the top of our list is the fact that Costa Rica approved a bill in 2021 offering special benefits to digital nomads who travel to Costa to provide services to those located outside of the country.
Previously, tourists visiting Costa Rica were limited to a maximum stay of 90 days. With the digital nomad visa, remote workers can live in country for one year with the option of extending their stay even longer. It’s important to note that, while the bill has been approved, it has not yet gone into effect.
Requirements to obtain a digital nomad visa will include:
- Proof of a stable, monthly salary—$3,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples.
- Obtaining medical insurance
- Making a one-time payment for the issuance of the visa (the amount has not yet been determined)
- Fulfilling any other requirements set by the General Migration Law and Immigration Law No 8764
Biodiversity, Beauty, and Beaches
Although Costa Rica takes up only .03% of the earth’s surface, it is home to nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity! Home to a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds, there’s no end to the interesting flora and fauna you’ll see while in country. And can we talk about the locale for a moment? Whether you’re a lover of beaches, jungles, or mountains, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more in this breathtakingly beautiful country.
Conveniently Close
Getting to Costa Rica couldn’t be easier for those in the U.S. Flights from Miami to CR take only three hours and visitors usually experience little to no jet lag as the country is in the Central Time zone.
Pura Vida Lifestyle
There’s a reason Costa Rica is considered one of the happiest places in the world, and much of it has to do with the mindset embraced by locals. The literal translation of pura vida is “pure life”, but the term has come to represent the philosophy that life should be simple and stress-free. Building relationships, spending time with the people you love, being friendly, and spending as much time as possible outdoors are all facets of the “pura vida” lifestyle, and it’s a big part of what makes life in Costa Rica so very lovely.
The best way to decide whether Costa Rica is the digital nomad destination of your dreams is to plan a visit to this captivating country. We think you’ll agree…between the culture, the cost of living, and the spectacular scenery, there’s no better place to work and play than in Costa Rica.
