Places · Costa Rica

Living in Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica · tropical

🌍

Manuel Antonio is a village of roughly 2,000 people with both the sea and mountains close by in Costa Rica. The climate is tropical. It has a lively, popular feel with average safety for the region. A typical month of living costs around $1,450. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is generally reliable. People come here for hiking, swimming, diving.

This is one of the places where living off-grid genuinely works, in law and in space. Anyone born here is a citizen, whatever the nationality of the parents. Income earned abroad is generally not taxed here.

Manuel Antonio at a glance: cost, climate, safety

👥
People
~2,000
💵
Cost / mo
~$1,500
🌡️
Climate
tropical
🛡️
Safety
3/5
🏥
Healthcare
3/5
📶
Internet
3/5
🚶
Walkable
2/5
🍽️
Food
4/5
🌫️
Air
4/5Good
🚰
Water
2/5Bottled water advised

Who tends to love living in Manuel Antonio

All parameters

🛡️ Safety3/5
🏥 Healthcare3/5
🏛️ Public healthcare4/5
💳 Private healthcare4/5
📶 Internet3/5
🚶 Walkable2/5
🚌 Transit2/5
🍽️ Food4/5
📚 LibraryNone within 6 km
🥗 Veg options4/5
🌫️ Air4/5 · 8 µg/m³
🚰 Water2/5 · Bottled water advised
🚀 PopularityGrowing fast
🏠 Rent, 5 yrs+45%
👶 For kids3/5
🛂 Immigration4/5
🏛️ Stability5/5
💸 Tax friendly3/5
🧑‍💻 Business3/5
🕵️ Privacy4/5
🏦 State digital currencyResearch only
🗣️ Free expressionStrong
₿ Bitcoin3/5
🌈 LGBTQ+4/5
🦂 Dangerous animals4/5
🌱 Fertile soil4/5
🔌 Living off-grid5/5
📸 Tourism4/5
👥 Crowding1/5
✈️ Airport2/5
🛰️ StarlinkYes
⚕️ AbortionRestricted

💉 Childhood vaccines: Compulsory by law

The National Vaccination Law makes the schedule compulsory and free for everyone living in the country, residents or not.

If you skip them: Registration at school requires an up to date vaccination record.

Exemptions: Medical only.

Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024

🚀 Popularity & prices: Growing fast

Accommodation prices have moved about +45% in the last 5 years.

Estimates, for orientation only.

🔭 Where this place is heading

Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.

What to know before moving to Manuel Antonio

⚠️ The downsides of living in Manuel Antonio

Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.

Where is Manuel Antonio?

₿ Spend Bitcoin around Manuel Antonio

Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.

₿ …

Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.

Questions, answered

How much does it cost to live in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica?

A typical month in Manuel Antonio costs around $1,450, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.

Is Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica safe?

Arcadia rates personal safety in Manuel Antonio at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.

What is the internet like in Manuel Antonio?

Internet in Manuel Antonio is rated 3 out of 5 for remote work, which is reasonable. Starlink is available in this country.

What is the weather like in Manuel Antonio?

Manuel Antonio has a tropical climate. It is on the coast. Mountains are close by.

Is healthcare good in Manuel Antonio?

Healthcare in Manuel Antonio is rated 3 out of 5 overall, which is reasonable. Public healthcare is 4/5 and private healthcare 4/5.

How easy is it to move to Costa Rica?

Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Costa Rica at 4 out of 5, which is good. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.

Is Manuel Antonio actually right for you?

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