Living the Digital Nomad Life in Costa Rica: A Journey of Adventure and Adaptation

Digital nomad:
noun
A person who earns a living working online in various locations of their choosing (rather than a fixed business location).
“The ability to travel while still earning a living is my favorite thing about being a digital nomad”

Hey, we are back!

Since returning to Costa Rica from visiting family in Arizona, we’ve been staying in Heredia, waiting for the country to recover from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sara before heading back to coastal adventures. During our time in the U.S., we got loads of questions about our lifestyle. When we say we’re digital nomads, people often ask what that means.

A few years ago, I stumbled upon the term while researching travel, expat living, and ways to balance work with living in dream destinations. We always felt that something was… missing. We didn’t have the same adventurous lifestyle that we used to. After working and doing the same daily routine for several years, we craved a new adventure. We always dreamed about doing something exciting again. Adam and I initially envisioned traveling the world, but with a dog (hi, Kira!) and gear like dive equipment and surfboards in tow, we decided to focus on one country. Costa Rica, a place we’ve always loved, became our ideal base for digital nomad life.

Preparing for the Leap

Making the move to Costa Rica wasn’t a walk in the park. Back in Oregon, we owned a home, had pets, and accumulated a lot of stuff. In January 2024, we decided to start decluttering with the goal of moving by August, just before the school year began (since I work in education).

We sold items online, hosted yard sales, and eventually stored what we couldn’t part with in a small unit back home. Renting out our house, Adam quitting his job, and packing our lives into three checked bags, two carry-ons, and two backpacks felt like a monumental feat. Oh, and Kira, of course, counted as a “checked bag!”

Setting Up Digital Nomad Life

For any digital nomad, reliable internet is non-negotiable. While Costa Rica’s infrastructure can be unpredictable, improvements are being made, including the introduction of a two-year digital nomad visa.

We invested in Starlink, a game-changer for internet connectivity in remote areas. It plugs into a large battery pack that we bought, lasting up to eight hours during power outages. For extended outages, we also have a backup generator. This setup has kept me connected and productive for teletherapy sessions with students on Zoom!

Living and Exploring Costa Rica

We’ve been exploring Costa Rica as digital nomads, staying in various Airbnbs for 2–4 weeks at a time. Monthly rentals range from $1,000–$2,000, depending on location and amenities. Our truck is loaded with gear and basic necessities we need for living, such as kitchenware, spices, cleaning supplies, and anything we needed if an Airbnb didn’t have it. Here’s a snapshot of where we’ve been so far:

1. Heredia

Located near San José, this university town blends urban conveniences with mountain views. We started in a modern 12-story apartment, perfect for gathering supplies and settling in. A bonus is that most of our friends live in this town so we had a lot of welcome-back parties!

2. Esterillos

A quiet beach town 2.5 hours southwest of Heredia, Esterillos felt like a hidden paradise with its nearly deserted beaches. Despite storms and power outages, our duplex Airbnb provided a comfortable base. We loved Esterillos, and because of it’s close proximity to the city, our friends could come to celebrate my birthday on the beach!

Adventure was everywhere in Esterillos which was great for filming Peligro Life! Check out the videos we filmed on tarantulas, hiking the long beaches, and a close sea turtle encounter while living in Esterillos!

3. Puerto Viejo

On the Caribbean coast near Panama, Puerto Viejo is stunning in October with its clear waters and perfect weather. However, our Airbnb was a letdown—misleading photos and insufficient supplies made it challenging for a long-term stay. Starlink struggled here, but we made it work. This town has a lot of wildlife for filming some Peligro Life Videos, such as Spearfishing invasive lionfish and encountering an eyelash pit viper.

4. La Fortuna

This gem holds the beautiful Arenal Volcano and hot springs. We stayed in two quaint air bnbs: a luxurious open-air studio with a projector to make your own movie theater, and hot tub! For the same prince, we then moved to a budget-friendly house in the countryside for $230 a week. I really enjoyed swinging in the hammock every morning, and watching toucans while sipping my coffee! We loved visiting the hotsprings, which can be included in resort stays, or visited in the El Choyín Hot River.

5. Mal País

Located near Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, this laid-back town stole our hearts. We headed from La Fortuna 5 hours to our villa, which had a loft bedroom and frequent visits from howler monkeys. Despite a full-town power outage, Starlink came through when the skies cleared. While we were there, we did a lot of surfing, hiking, and exploring a cemetery island, which of course we had to film!

A Quick U.S. Break

We recently visited family in Arizona, leaving Kira with friends while I continued working remotely. The flexibility of digital nomad life allowed us to reconnect without disrupting work!

What’s Next?

We’re currently back in Heredia, preparing to head to the Pacific Coast town of Savegre in a few days. Stay tuned for updates on our adventures, tips for digital nomad life, and of course, new Peligro Life episodes!

Tips for Aspiring Digital Nomads in Costa Rica

1. Invest in connectivity: Internet backups and battery backups are essential for remote work.
2. Pack smart: Bring essentials like basic kitchenware, towels, and cooking supplies—some Airbnbs may lack these.
3. Be flexible: Costa Rica’s beauty is matched by its unpredictability. Prepare for power outages, weather changes, long wait times, and the occasional mismatch between Airbnb photos and reality.
4. Explore deeply: Instead of rushing from one spot to another, spend a few weeks in each town to immerse yourself in the culture and community.

Thank you for joining us on this journey! Don’t forget to check out our Peligro Life YouTube channel for videos of our adventures and insights into digital nomad life in Costa Rica. See you in the next post!