The majority of Costa Rica’s population resides in the Central Valley. The proximity to the capital city, San Jose, is the economic nexus that keeps citizens clustered together.
This is also where most expats live, sometimes because they work for Costa Rican companies. Otherwise, it’s because the cool climate and cultural access make a lot of sense for day-to-day living.
But for those who dream of living that beach life, Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast (aka the Gold Coast) offers up paradise without sacrificing professional momentum. And if you’ve even been to Costa Rica on vacation, there’s a good chance it was here in the Guanacaste region.
When I first visited Guanacaste as part of my location-independent adventures, I discovered that the Gold Coast offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, modern amenities, and global connectivity that makes running your business not just possible, but possibly ideal.
Work Hard and Play Hard in Guanacaste
The truth is, selecting the right international base requires more than just pretty beaches. It demands practical infrastructure for sustained productivity combined with lifestyle benefits that make the transition worthwhile.
Guanacaste delivers on multiple fronts. As Jason Holland writes for International Living:
The province of Guanacaste lures new residents with its beautiful coast, world-class surfing, dramatic ocean views, and endless opportunities for fishing, swimming, golfing, yachting, horseback riding, or just sunning yourself on the beach. But beyond these leisure activities lies a strategic foundation for location-independent professionals.
Unlike Costa Rica’s Central Valley, the sun shines nearly daily on the North Pacific Coast, with temperatures typically in the high 80s during the day, cooling to the upper 70s at night. Even during the rainy season, the Guanacaste region stays largely dry while the rest of the country is soaked from May to November.
And there’s more:
- Connectivity concerns? The region hosts a first-rate international airport near Liberia with direct flights from major North American and European cities.
- For those with children, two top U.S.-accredited schools (Costa Rica International Academy in Brasilito and La Paz School nearby) solve the education equation.
- Plus, with Walmart, Pequeño Mundo, and Pricesmart (similar to Costco) in Liberia, you’ll find familiar comforts without four-hour trips to San José.
Let’s face it, though — real estate prices reflect the area’s desirability. Oceanfront estates can run several million dollars, and even homes with minimal ocean views command premium prices.
But patience and flexibility reward savvy buyers. Properties just a short distance from the coast or away from trendy expat communities like Flamingo Beach, Tamarindo, or Nosara offer substantial value.
Strategic Hub Selection: Choosing Your Beach Base
Being smart about the location you choose within Guanacaste can dramatically impact your experience. Three standout options merit consideration:
Playas del Coco: Connectivity Maximized
For those prioritizing access, Playas del Coco presents a compelling case as the closest beach to an international airport in the country. This former fishing village has evolved into north Guanacaste’s major coastal hub, offering a paved main road and just a 20-30 minute drive to Liberia’s airport.
Digital infrastructure continues to improve, with banking services, medical clinics, and North American-style supermarkets like AutoMercado on the rise. For remote workers balancing Zoom calls with beach time, Coco delivers what neighboring towns like Playa Hermosa, Playa Panamá, and Playa Ocotal also provide: reasonable property prices compared to more touristed areas further south.
Flamingo: Premium Privacy with Global Access
Those seeking a more exclusive setting without sacrificing connectivity should consider Playa Flamingo. This carefully developed area offers luxury residences clustered on a small peninsula jutting into the Pacific. The topography creates natural privacy, with homes rising steeply from the water.
While the immediate area focuses on residential quality over commercial quantity, practical amenities remain within reach. A small plaza at the hill’s base offers car rentals, boutiques, and excellent restaurants, with essential groceries available at a nearby market.
For digital nomads accustomed to combining work and travel, the location strikes an ideal balance: the international airport in Liberia is just 50 minutes away.
Working from locations like Flamingo provides the perfect combination of focus and inspiration. On deadline days, you can shut out distractions in your hillside sanctuary. When seeking creative stimulation, the pristine white-sand beach below, often vacant, offers the ideal contemplative space.
Tamarindo: Community and Convenience
For those who value walkability and community integration, Tamarindo presents the most developed option on the North Pacific Coast while maintaining its distinctive character. From its origin as a tiny surfing town, it has evolved into a hub of international diversity without sacrificing its essential charm.
The expat community numbers in the high hundreds or thousands, creating opportunities for networking, classes, events, and fundraisers. This density of professional connections makes Tamarindo particularly valuable for solopreneurs seeking collaboration and community.
The town’s walkability eliminates the need for a car — a significant advantage for those accustomed to urban living. Main Street (officially Calle Principal, though nobody calls it that) offers shops, cafés, and restaurants run by Costa Ricans, Israelis, Argentinians, Italians, North Americans, and people from dozens of other nations.
That said, the vibe remains distinctly casual. The beach forms a broad arc from Langosta Point to the estuary and serves as the community’s gathering place. At sunset, you’ll find tourists and expats practicing yoga, jogging, walking dogs, playing volleyball, or enjoying drinks and live music at beachside bars. This natural rhythm creates the perfect punctuation between workday and evening, a transition often missing in conventional office environments.
Surprisingly affordable options exist despite Tamarindo’s popularity. Condos within walking distance of the beach without ocean views offer reasonable value, with even better prices available a short drive from the shore. Patience yields rewards — many properties purchased at market peaks are available from motivated sellers.
Laptop on the Beach Lifestyle?
The reality of Costa Rica’s Gold Coast contradicts the notion that you can’t have it all. With strategic location selection within Guanacaste, location-independent professionals can build sustainable, connected, and fulfilling lives that blend productivity with paradise.
For those willing to make the leap, Guanacaste’s combination of natural beauty, practical amenities, and global connectivity creates the foundation for your next chapter. Just remember, though, no one actually sits with a laptop on the beach — go ahead and pull up to the bar.
