Working remotely from Costa Rica for a few months

Most remote workers spend one to six months in Costa Rica on an ordinary tourist entry, which immigration officers grant for up to 180 days. If you want a full year, Costa Rica's digital nomad stay (Estancia para Trabajadores Remotos, Ley 10008) is open to people earning at least US$3,000 a month from outside the country, lasts one year and is renewable once. Santa Teresa, Nosara and Tamarindo are the Pacific towns where a medium-term remote-work routine is easiest to build. Last reviewed September 2026.

How long you can stay

Travellers from visa-exempt countries are admitted for a period decided by the immigration officer on arrival, up to a maximum of 180 days. The stamp you receive is the rule for your trip. Officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel and of funds. Leaving and re-entering to reset the clock is common but is again the officer's decision.

The digital nomad stay, in plain terms

  • Official name — Estancia for Remote Workers and Service Providers (Ley 10008)
  • Minimum income — US$3,000 per month from outside Costa Rica (US$4,000 for a family application)
  • Length — One year, renewable once for a second year
  • Income tax — Exempt on the foreign income earned during the stay
  • Residency — A stay, not residency; it does not lead to permanent residency

Where to base yourself

  • Santa Teresa — Surf every day, the densest nomad scene on the peninsula, dirt roads, strong café and coworking culture
  • Nosara — Quieter and wellness-led, consistent surf, a more residential rhythm
  • Tamarindo — The most built-up and easiest to reach, with the widest choice of services

Common questions

Does Costa Rica have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. It is officially the Estancia for Remote Workers and Service Providers, created by Ley 10008. It grants a one-year stay, renewable once, to people earning at least US$3,000 a month from clients or employers outside Costa Rica.

How long can I stay without it?

Most visa-exempt nationalities are admitted as tourists for up to 180 days, at the immigration officer's discretion.

Is the digital nomad visa worth it for a three-month stay?

Usually not. For stays up to about six months the tourist entry is simpler and free. The Ley 10008 stay makes sense for a full year, a local bank account, and a legal basis independent of a border officer's discretion.

Is the internet good enough to work from a Costa Rican beach town?

In Santa Teresa, yes for most remote work, with caveats around power cuts and green-season storms. Our WiFi and café guides report measured speeds.

Town guides

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