I have been working remotely from Costa Rica on and off since 2019, and the coworking scene here has changed dramatically. What used to be a handful of Selina locations and the occasional café with decent WiFi has grown into a genuine ecosystem of dedicated workspaces, coliving communities, and work-friendly hotels spread across the country. Whether you are a freelancer testing the waters for a month or a remote employee looking to relocate long-term, this guide covers everything you need to know about coworking in Costa Rica — based on real experience, not just research.
Why Costa Rica for Remote Work?
Costa Rica sits in the Central Standard Time zone (CST/GMT-6), which overlaps comfortably with US business hours — a huge practical advantage that places like Bali or Portugal cannot match. The country has invested heavily in fiber internet infrastructure, and speeds in the Central Valley regularly hit 200+ Mbps. Beach towns are catching up fast, with many coworking spaces offering 50-100 Mbps connections. Add in the digital nomad visa launched in 2022, political stability, universal healthcare, and a cost of living that is reasonable (though not as cheap as Southeast Asia), and you get a destination that makes practical sense for remote workers, not just lifestyle sense.
The Main Coworking Hubs
San José and the Central Valley — This is where you will find the most professional coworking infrastructure. Impact Hub San José is the flagship space — it is well-run, has a strong community of local entrepreneurs and international remote workers, and the internet is rock-solid. Tecowork and Work Café are solid alternatives, and the Escazú area has Become Work Center for a more corporate feel. The Central Valley is not glamorous, but if you need to get serious work done and want the best infrastructure, this is it. I always recommend new arrivals spend their first week or two here to get settled before heading to the beach.
Tamarindo — The most developed beach-town coworking scene in the country. Selina Tamarindo anchors the community, and Nordico Coffee House is perfect for morning work sessions. Read our full Tamarindo coworking guide for the details.
Nosara — The wellness capital of Costa Rica’s nomad scene. Outpost is arguably the best purpose-built coworking space in the country, and Cocoon CoLive offers a coliving option. The vibe here is yoga-and-surf meets productivity. Check our Nosara coworking guide for more.
Santa Teresa — The surf-and-work mecca on the Nicoya Peninsula. The town has exploded in the last few years, and the coworking options have kept pace. See our Santa Teresa guide for the full breakdown.
Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo) — A totally different vibe. Slower pace, reggae soundtrack, and a tight-knit expat community. Puerto&Co is the standout coworking space, with fiber optics and jungle views. The Caribbean side gets more rain, but the community is welcoming and the cost of living is lower than the Pacific coast.
Jacó and the Central Pacific — Close to San José (about an hour’s drive), Jacó offers a mix of surf culture and convenience. Pacific Cowork and Coworksurf Jacó are the main options. It is not as trendy as Nosara or Santa Teresa, but the proximity to the capital is a real advantage for anyone who needs to make regular trips to San José for visa appointments or other admin.
What to Expect: Costs, Internet, and Practicalities
Day passes at dedicated coworking spaces typically run $10-20 USD. Monthly memberships range from $100-250 depending on the location and amenities. Selina spaces tend to be on the affordable end ($10-15/day), while premium spaces like Outpost Nosara or Impact Hub charge more but deliver a more polished experience. Many cafés are free to work from with a purchase, though you will want to check WiFi speeds and outlet availability before committing to a full day.
Internet reliability varies dramatically by region. The Central Valley is the most dependable, with fiber available in most neighborhoods. Beach towns have improved significantly, but outages still happen during heavy rain. My advice: always have a backup plan. A local SIM card with a data plan from Kolbi, Movistar, or Claro costs around $10-15/month and can save you when the WiFi goes down before an important call.
Coliving Options
The coliving scene has taken off. Coworksurf runs locations in Jacó, Nosara, and Playa Hermosa that combine surfing with coworking. WiFi Tribe brings rotating groups of remote workers to Santa Teresa and Puerto Viejo. Uvita Coliving is a great option in the Southern Zone. For a deeper dive, read our coliving and coworking guide.
My Honest Take
Costa Rica is not the cheapest place to be a digital nomad — that title goes to places in Southeast Asia or parts of Mexico. But what you get here is a high quality of life, genuine safety, excellent healthcare, and a timezone that works for North American business hours. The coworking infrastructure has matured past the early days, and you can now find a proper workspace in almost every major town. The biggest improvement I have noticed is internet reliability — five years ago, working from a beach town meant constant connection anxiety. Now, most established coworking spaces deliver speeds that can handle video calls without breaking a sweat.
Browse our full directory of coworking spaces to find the right fit for your next chapter in Costa Rica.