Best cities to live in Costa Rica (2026)
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Path to PR
Tamarindo
65/100Atenas
61/100San Jose
60/100Compare cities in Costa Rica
❓ Living in Costa Rica — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Costa Rica?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Tamarindo ranks #1 in Costa Rica with a score of 65/100, and city-centre rent from around $950/month.
What is the cheapest city in Costa Rica?▾
Atenas has the most affordable city-centre rent in our Costa Rica data, at around $650/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in Costa Rica?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Tamarindo is the safest city in Costa Rica in our database, with a rate of 17.7 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Tamarindo or Atenas?▾
Tamarindo scores 65/100 on our Livability Score vs 61/100 for Atenas. Rent is $950/mo in Tamarindo vs $650/mo in Atenas. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Costa Rica?▾
Costa Rica offers the Costa Rica Pensionado (easy process). Duration: 2 years (renewable, PR after 3 years). Key requirement: Lifetime pension of $1,000/mo. Alternative: Rentista visa at $2,500/mo guaranteed income for 2 years. Must spend 4+ months/year in-country.. The process is relatively easy. Check individual city pages for full details.
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