When you think of Costa Rica, you may first think of the beaches.
Maybe the lush resorts along the Gold Coast. Or the surfing hot spots like Tamarindo and Nosara.
You may have even ventured further down the Pacific coast, to enjoy the wonders of Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal. Or enjoyed the party atmosphere of Jacó.
But there’s way more to Costa Rica than that, with environments ranging from rain forests to water activities at Lake Arenal, plus canopy tours, waterfall rappelling, and horseback riding along enormous volcanic craters that are located in Costa Rica’s mountain ranges.
That said, it may surprise you to learn that most of the population of Costa Rica lives in the Central Valley, where the temperate climate and proximity to San José offer the perfect balance of tropical living and modern convenience. And this is also where most expats live.
The truth is, the traditional Central Valley expat hotspots became a little too popular. After years of digital nomads, expats, and retirees flocking to Central Valley towns like Atenas, Grecia, Santa Ana and Escazú, these areas have become victims of their own success.
Traffic congestion rivals what you might be trying to escape, prices have climbed steadily, and authentic cultural integration has become optional rather than essential.
As someone who’s spent significant time across multiple Costa Rican locations, I’ve witnessed this transformation first hand. The good news? There’s an emerging alternative that offers the original appeal of the Central Valley without the drawbacks – if you know where to look.
Southeast of San José: Costa Rica’s New Frontier
While most expats have clustered northwest of San José, the Cartago Province to the southeast offers mirror-image communities with superior value and authentic experiences. These areas combine the practical benefits of the Central Valley with refreshingly lower prices and less congestion.
It’s time to look beyond San José to Cartago Province, where a handful of captivating cities and towns offer climate advantages, cultural richness, and significant cost savings. This region provides the infrastructure needed for location-independent work while preserving the authentic Costa Rican experience that drew you here in the first place.
Curridabat (pronounced “coo-reeda-BAHT”) represents the new jewel of the Central Valley. Located about 15 miles southeast of the San José airport, it delivers the upscale amenities of places like Escazú, but with forward-thinking urban planning and a focus on sustainability.
What makes this area particularly appealing for expats and location-independent business owners?
Beyond the modern housing and familiar shopping options, Curridabat has embraced a “Ciudad Dulce” (Sweet City) approach that integrates natural surroundings into the urban setting. This creates a work environment that balances connectivity with well-being – a combination proven to enhance productivity and creativity.
The location offers another significant advantage. As John Michael Arthur writing for International Living points out:
“Curridabat sits right off the Pan American Highway, strategically connecting you to the capital, other parts of the Central Valley, and perhaps most importantly, to Cartago.”
This positioning allows you to access government offices without fighting through San José traffic – a practical consideration that saves hours.
The healthcare infrastructure further strengthens the case for this region of Costa Rica. While the northwest has CIMA hospital, the southeast offers Clínica Bíblica – a major, full-service, JCI-accredited hospital that even maintains its own blood bank. They’re also completing a state-of-the-art satellite hospital directly in Curridabat.
The most compelling advantage? Value.
Despite all these benefits, real estate in Curridabat remains significantly more affordable than in the established expat areas. Arthur notes that “excellent two and three-bedroom condos in elegant complexes” can be found “all day long for $150,000 to $175,000” – prices that would be unthinkable in the upscale suburbs of San Jose like Escazú or Santa Ana.
Cultural Depth and Strategic Positioning
This region offers more than just practical advantages. The region also gives access to Costa Rica’s rich cultural heritage.
Cartago, the colonial capital until 1823, serves as the hub of this region. While the city itself might not be the ideal residential choice, it provides exceptional cultural amenities and services to surrounding communities. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, the annual Romería pilgrimage, and numerous historical sites create a distinctive atmosphere that connects you to Costa Rica’s past.
For expats seeking to balance productivity with quality of life, the climate here offers a significant advantage, and it’s why I fell in love with the area. The region runs consistently cooler than the northwest Central Valley – typically 5-7 degrees lower.
As Arthur observes, when it’s 91°F in Atenas at 11 a.m., the mountain air in Cartago might be wafting by at a pleasant 78°F by early afternoon. This temperature difference creates ideal conditions for the good life without the productivity drain of excessive heat.
Curridabat’s location between two major cities – San José and Cartago – provides access to both urban centers while avoiding their drawbacks. This positioning allows you to tap into metropolitan resources when needed while maintaining the quality of life that made Costa Rica appealing in the first place.
Healthcare infrastructure further reinforces the southeast advantage. Beyond Clínica Bíblica, the region boasts Hospital Universal, a state-of-the-art private facility in Cartago that provides comprehensive services with “highly qualified professionals and cutting-edge technology.”
Finding Your Cool New Home Base
Further to the southeast, the Orosi Valley represents perhaps the most compelling opportunity in this region – a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural authenticity, and practical living.
“We narrowed our choice to the Orosi Valley because of the great climate, the three towns close together (that form the hub of the valley), and the fact that it isn’t a big tourist area,” Jim Brent explained to Arthur after relocating with his wife V’Ann.
Their experience highlights what makes the valley special – the combination of practical advantages and authentic experience that’s increasingly rare elsewhere.
The valley’s microclimate represents an advantage that’s easy to overlook. Sitting just off the Continental Divide, the weather is influenced by both Pacific and Caribbean patterns, creating conditions noticeably different from the Central Valley. This means the area remains lush and green even during the dry season, with rainfall every 10-12 days maintaining the tropical environment year-round.
The three main towns that form the valley’s hub – Paraíso, Orosi, and Cachí – each offer distinct advantages:
- Paraíso serves as the gateway to the valley with a population of about 25,000. It provides all essential services while maintaining a vibrant community feel, particularly evident at the weekend farmers market where locals gather not just to shop but to connect. This combination of accessibility and community creates an ideal environment for location-independent work without isolation.
- Orosi represents traditional Tico living at its finest, centered around the oldest continually active church in Costa Rica. With approximately 10,000 residents, the town is completely walkable yet offers everything from dentists to banks to grocery stores. The tight-knit community here allows relationships to form organically through daily interactions rather than forced expat networking events.
- Cachí, with about 7,000 residents, offers a more rural setting with adventure on its doorstep. From white-water rafting to rock climbing at Cachí Crag, the area provides natural stress-relief activities minutes from your home office. Despite its rural character, fiber optic internet ensures you remain connected to clients and colleagues worldwide.
The Real Estate Value Proposition
Beyond lifestyle advantages, the various towns to the southeast of San Jose offer exceptional value that directly impacts your bottom line as a location-independent entrepreneur.
In Paraíso, Arthur discovered an unadvertised two-bedroom apartment with volcano views and a mountain-vista terrace for just $275 monthly – a price point that would be impossible in traditional expat areas. This rent differential represents thousands in annual savings that can be reinvested in your business or quality of life.
For those preferring to purchase, options abound. In Orosi, a 1,850-square-foot three-bedroom house one block from the town square was listed at $139,000 during Arthur’s visit. In Cachí, an 1,800-square-foot three-bedroom house on two acres with lake views was available fully furnished for $225,000.
These price points create flexibility impossible in higher-cost locations. The capital preserved through these savings provides a runway for business growth, flexibility during revenue fluctuations, or investment in experiences that enhance creativity and well-being.
The value extends beyond housing. Daily expenses from food to services remain aligned with local economies rather than inflated to capture expat dollars. This creates sustainable living costs that reduce financial pressure and allow focus on business growth rather than constant expense management.
Gayle Diehl’s experience validates this approach. She moved to Orosi from Minnesota at age 68 with minimal Spanish and no car. Her experience reveals what makes the southeast special:
“From the minute I arrived, I knew something was different. It felt right… I cannot imagine a better retirement.”
That feeling – the immediate recognition of place – isn’t just emotional. It’s a strategic insight. The right environment reduces friction in daily life, enhances creativity, and creates space for your business to thrive… because who wants to retire just yet?
The southeast region of Costa Rica offers that rare combination: practical advantages, authentic experience, and exceptional value. For location-independent business owners seeking both business success and quality of life, “there are alternative options for the new life you’re looking for,” as Arthur wisely concludes.
It’s time to look beyond the conventional expat locales to find the balance of community, connectivity, and value that will sustain both your business and life for years to come.
