Costa Rica has many great places to live. Everybody knows about the Pacific Coast, with its picturesque beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and the occasional party scene in towns like Jacó, Uvita, and Dominical. Then there’s the Caribbean, famous for its laid-back vibes in towns like Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.
But what about the central part of this extraordinary country? The Central Valley has an array of amazing locations to offer, and while everybody runs immediately to the ´more familiar´ expat towns like Jacó, it’s often surprisingly calm in the Central Valley. And the best thing of all is the climate. How does a year-round temperature of 59 to 86⁰F (15 and 30⁰C) sound? Pretty nice, right?
But what to expect from living in the Central Valley? Exactly how expensive is it? What’s there to do? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the living costs in Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
Photo by Propertiesincostarica.com
The Central Valley
The Central Valley is home to about two-thirds of Costa Rica’s population, and it’s easy to see why. The mild climate, central location, and plenty of facilities like shopping malls, theaters, and even beaches within an hour-and-a-half drive, make this an excellent expat destination.
Due to its altitude of 3,000 to 5,000 feet, there’s a very mild climate all year round, so unlike on the Caribbean or Pacific side, there’s no need for air-conditioning.
Popular expat-communities in the Central Valley are, amongst others, Escazú, San Ramon, and San José, but there are many more beautiful towns to find.
Renting in the Central Valley
Finding a place to live in the Central Valley isn't very difficult. There are plenty of websites that have a good overview of long-term rentals.
For a 4,300 sq ft (400 m²) family home in the town of Escazú, with a private pool, expect to pay around US$1700 per month. Compare this to a popular coastal town like Jacó, where you'll be paying at least US$2000 a month for a 2000 sq ft (185 m²) condo, with a shared pool.
Of course, living in the Central Valley means you won't have the beach on your doorstep. But is driving for an hour to the beach really that bad? In return, you get a peaceful living, in a spring-like climate, without the noisy party-scene.
What to do in the Central Valley?
The Central Valley has tons of stuff to do. Below is only a fraction of the places that are a must-see.
Volcano Irazu
At 11,260 feet, it’s the highest volcano in Costa Rica and has a beautiful garish green lake in its crater.
Lankaster Botanical Gardens
This botanical garden has a world-class collection of thousands of orchids on display.
Guayabo National Monument
One of the most important archeological sites in Costa Rica, the Guayabo Monument is many thousands of years old.
Tapantí National Park
Home to many different species and plants, this park is one of the rainiest places in Costa Rica.
Los Quetzales National Park
Especially popular among bird lovers, this cloud forest is where the elusive Splendid Quetzal hides.
Orosi Valley
At the beginning of this breathtaking valley lies the small community of Orosi, where you find natural hot springs, stunning views, and amazing coffee.
All these places, and many more, are located within only an hour drive from the Greater Metropolitan Area, so it’s understandable that the Central Valley is a great expat destination!
What’s your favorite expat destination in Costa Rica? Let us know in the comments!
