Anita H. Says:
My goal is to move to Costa Rica in the next two years. I would love to live near the beach. Can you please recommend some affordable places to live. I do not want to spend more than $500 a month on rent.
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi Anita,
Thanks for reaching out with your question!
Costa Rica, as you probably know, is a beautiful country, with long stretches of deserted and undeveloped beaches… dense jungles teeming with exotic wildlife… towering volcanoes, lush green valleys, and hundreds of crystal-clear lakes and rivers…
The main beach areas I recommend are:
- The Tamarindo area (for all of its amenities and health care options)
- Jacó (as it is close to San Jose and therefore close to everything you may need)
- Manuel Antonio (a bit more remote and surrounded by nature)
- The Talamanca Coast on the Southern Caribbean Coast (which is about four and a half hours away from San Jose without traffic)
However, it may be difficult to find something near the beach at this price point. It’s unusual to find an apartment in the Tamarindo area for $500, but you may be able to find something a few miles away for around $600 a month.
You will likely find the most affordable prices on the Talamanca Coast. It’s the most remote and underdeveloped area.
I suggest visiting as many areas as you can, and connecting with people living there before you arrive. Facebook groups like Expats in Costa Rica are a great resource to connect with people in different areas. You can shop around and see if anybody knows of cheap rentals.
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