Living in Puerto Viejo (CR)
Costa Rica · tropical
Puerto Viejo (CR) is a village of roughly 5,000 people right by the sea 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 $1,300. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is generally reliable. People come here for surfing, swimming, live music.
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.
Puerto Viejo (CR) at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Puerto Viejo (CR)
- A genuinely good food scene
- Anyone into surfing
- Anyone into swimming
All parameters
💉 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 Puerto Viejo (CR)
- • Can get busy with visitors in peak season.
- • Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.
- • You will likely need a car to get around.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Puerto Viejo (CR)
- •Dengue circulates in the wet season (mosquito-borne).
- •Tap water isn't reliably drinkable, budget for filtered or bottled.
- •Natural hazards to check locally: earthquakes.
- •The nearest international airport is far; travel days run long.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Puerto Viejo (CR)?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Puerto Viejo (CR)
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 Puerto Viejo (CR), Costa Rica?
A typical month in Puerto Viejo (CR) costs around $1,300, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Puerto Viejo (CR), Costa Rica safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Puerto Viejo (CR) at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.
What is the internet like in Puerto Viejo (CR)?
Internet in Puerto Viejo (CR) is rated 3 out of 5 for remote work, which is reasonable. Starlink is available in this country.
What is the weather like in Puerto Viejo (CR)?
Puerto Viejo (CR) has a tropical climate. It is on the coast.
Is healthcare good in Puerto Viejo (CR)?
Healthcare in Puerto Viejo (CR) 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 Puerto Viejo (CR) actually right for you?
Puerto Viejo (CR) is one of 3,500+ places we compare. Answer a few honest questions and we will tell you the handful that truly fit your life, ranked and explained.
Find my place →⏱️ ~5 min · one payment · no newsletter