Thinking about moving to San José? Here's what daily life looks like for an American who works remotely: what it costs in dollars, where people live, the weather all year, and what to sort out before you land. The weather, local time and exchange rate on this page are live.
Right now in San José
Live weather by Open-Meteo · Rates by ExchangeRate-API. Updates each time you open the page.
At a glance
| Population | About 350,000 in the city, more than 2 million in the Central Valley |
|---|---|
| Language | Spanish |
| Currency | Costa Rican colón (CRC) |
| Time zone | … |
| Main airport | Juan Santamaría International (SJO) in Alajuela, about 30 to 45 minutes from San José |
| Flights from the US | Nonstops from many US cities |
| Power plugs | Type A and B, 120 V (US plugs work) |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Visa route for remote workers | Digital nomad visa · Costa Rica visa guide |
What it costs
| Item | Local price | About in USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom, city center | ₡538,774 | $1,186 |
| 1-bedroom, outside center | ₡426,926 | $940 |
| 3-bedroom, city center | ₡906,630 | $1,996 |
| 3-bedroom, outside center | ₡633,867 | $1,396 |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | ₡5,537 | $12.19 |
| Monthly transit pass | ₡30,000 | $66.06 |
| Home internet, 60 Mbps+ | ₡27,016 | $59.48 |
Monthly totals are Shoreward estimates: Numbeo's living costs without rent, plus rent from outside the center (low end) to the center (high end). The couple figure assumes 1.7 times one person's costs. Private school, car and travel are not included.
Dollar amounts use the exchange rate on the source page. Prices in local currency are the source's.
Weather through the year
Loading weather history…
Monthly averages from 2016–2025, from Open-Meteo historical weather data (ERA5 reanalysis). Rain totals from weather models can run high in mountain cities, so treat them as a guide to the wet and dry seasons.
Where to live
Escazú
Western suburb with malls, international schools and many expats. Easy but car-dependent.
Santa Ana
Sunnier and a little cheaper than Escazú, with a growing restaurant scene.
Barrio Escalante
Walkable streets in the east with the city's best-known food scene.
Rohrmoser
Residential and central, near La Sabana park.
Our plans match neighborhoods to how you work, your budget and who's moving with you.
Getting around
Buses are cheap but slow, and traffic is heavy. Many expats in the western suburbs drive or rely on ride-hailing apps.
Language and English
Common in Escazú, Santa Ana and tourism, less so in daily errands. Spanish helps a lot.
Healthcare
Costa Rica has a well-regarded public system (CCSS, the "Caja") and private hospitals in the San José area. The digital nomad visa requires private health insurance.
Safety
Check the US State Department's current advisory for Costa Rica before you go. It changes, so we link to it rather than copy it. Like any big city, San José has areas that are safer than others, and your plan flags the ones to know about.
Your first week in San José
Land with people, not just a lease.
With a Complete or Household plan, you join everyone moving to San José the same month in a group chat before you fly, then meet in person during your first week.
See how cohorts workSources
Checked on Nov 2, 2026. Live sections update automatically.
- Numbeo: Cost of living in San José (page updated Nov 1, 2026)
- US State Department: Costa Rica travel advisory
- Open-Meteo: live weather, forecast and 10-year climate data (CC BY 4.0)
- ExchangeRate-API: live exchange rates
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