Working remotely in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa works well for remote workers who can live with the odd power cut: fiber internet reaches much of town, coliving spaces such as Outsite advertise fast connections, and the surf-work-sunset rhythm is hard to beat. Base yourself near the center, ask every host about backup power, and keep a mobile data plan as a fallback.

Why remote workers love it (and what to know first)

Santa Teresa has become one of Costa Rica's best-known places to work remotely, and it's easy to see why. You can surf at dawn, work through the hot middle of the day, and close the laptop in time for sunset. There's a large international community, good coffee and plenty of healthy food, and a steady stream of people who are here for a month or more.

It's still a small beach town at the end of a long road, though. Internet quality depends on the property, power cuts happen, and the dust or rain can make getting around slower than you'd like. With a little planning, none of that has to get in the way.

Internet and power

• Fiber: Fiber internet reaches many parts of town, and well-equipped rentals often advertise fast, stable connections. Speeds still vary a lot from one property to the next.
• Ask for proof. Before booking a long stay, ask the host for a recent speed test screenshot and whether the connection is fiber.
• Power cuts: Outages still happen, especially during storms in the green season. Ask whether the property has a generator or battery backup for the router.
• Mobile data: Buy a local SIM or eSIM and keep a data plan as backup for calls. Coverage is good in town and patchier up some hills.
• Plan important calls for mornings when you can, before afternoon storms in the rainy months.

Coliving and coworking

Outsite Santa Teresa is a coliving house built for remote workers, with a coworking area, a pool, shared kitchens and weekly community events. It advertises 200 Mbps internet, and a second Outsite property nearby offers a quieter option. It's an easy way to arrive and get settled with a ready-made community.

Coworking spaces in Santa Teresa have come and gone over the years, so check what's open when you arrive. Many people simply work from their rental, a hotel lobby or a cafe. If you work from cafes, buy something regularly, avoid the lunch rush and bring headphones.

House of Somos in north Santa Teresa has a coffee bar, restaurant and gym under one roof, and The Bakery near Playa Carmen is open all day from early morning.

Where to base yourself

For a work-focused stay, choose north or south Santa Teresa, near the main road, so you can walk to cafes, groceries and the beach. Mal País and Playa Hermosa are quieter and lovely for longer stays, but you'll need a car or ATV and should check the internet even more carefully. See our area comparison and where to stay.

Monthly rentals are easier to find and better value in the green season, from about May to November. In high season, from mid-December to Easter, book well ahead.

Visas and paperwork

Many visitors can stay in Costa Rica as tourists for a limited period, which varies by nationality. Costa Rica also has a remote worker visa for people who earn their income from abroad, with requirements set by the immigration authority. Rules change, so check the current details with the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería or your nearest Costa Rican consulate before you go.

Daily life

• Money: There's a bank in Santa Teresa and more in Cóbano. Cards work widely, but carry some cash for sodas, taxis and small shops.
• Groceries: Several supermarkets line the main road, and weekly markets sell local produce.
• Health: For anything beyond minor issues, clinics are in Cóbano. Good travel or health insurance is a must.
• Getting around: Most long-stayers rent an ATV, scooter or car. See roads and dust.
• Getting in and out: Shuttles such as Tropical Tours Shuttles connect town with the airports. See getting there.