Neighborhood guide for expats. Ask us for current listings.
Most expats who move to the San José area do not live in downtown San José. They live in the suburbs and neighborhoods around it, in the Central Valley, where the climate is spring-like most of the year and the country's best private hospitals, international schools, embassies, malls and the main international airport are all within reach.
Each area has a distinct personality. The western suburbs, Escazú and Santa Ana, are the most popular with North American families and retirees. Rohrmoser and La Sabana put you in the city with a huge park next door. The east side, Barrio Escalante, Los Yoses, San Pedro and Curridabat, is younger, more Costa Rican and better for walking. We review each one below.
Many of our buyers split their time: a base near San José for medical care, school or work, and a beach home in Playas del Coco, Jacó or Playa Hermosa de Jacó. From the western suburbs, the Central Pacific beaches are a straight run down Route 27.
From our Journal: living in San José, Escazú vs Santa Ana, private hospitals in San José and Barrio Escalante's food district.
Escazú is the best-known expat address in Costa Rica, sometimes called the country's Beverly Hills. It climbs from the valley floor into the hills, with gated communities, modern condo towers, large homes with city views, country clubs, fine restaurants and two of the country's major malls, Multiplaza and Avenida Escazú.
Health care is a major draw: Hospital CIMA, one of the leading private hospitals in the country, is here, and several international and bilingual private schools are in or near Escazú. English is widely spoken in shops and services.
Just west of Escazú, Santa Ana is warmer and drier, with a suburban feel, larger homes with gardens, gated communities and newer developments around areas such as Lindora. It has its own restaurants, shopping centers, coworking spaces and medical services, and keeps a small-town center.
Santa Ana sits right on Route 27, which makes it the most practical Central Valley base for people who also own on the Central Pacific coast.
Rohrmoser is an established residential neighborhood west of downtown with tree-lined streets, parks and a high concentration of embassies, including the US Embassy in the Pavas district. La Sabana Park, the city's largest, sits next door with trails, sports fields, a lake, the national stadium and an art museum.
Housing is a mix of family homes and newer condo towers around the park. You are minutes from downtown, Paseo Colón and the highways west.
East of downtown, Barrio Escalante has become San José's restaurant and café district, with craft beer, cocktail bars and some of the best dining in the country in and around its older houses. Neighboring Los Yoses is stately and residential, with larger, older homes and embassies.
This is one of the few parts of the San José area where walking is a pleasure. It suits people who want city culture more than suburban comfort.
San Pedro is home to the University of Costa Rica, which gives it a young, energetic feel, with bookshops, cafés, inexpensive restaurants and nightlife. Next door, Curridabat mixes quiet residential streets, newer condominiums and large shopping centers.
Prices are generally lower than in the western suburbs, and you will speak more Spanish day to day, which many expats see as a plus.
It depends on your life. Escazú is the most popular for families and retirees who want private hospitals, international schools and English spoken widely. Santa Ana is sunnier and more relaxed. Rohrmoser suits people who want to be in the city near La Sabana Park. Barrio Escalante and San Pedro suit younger expats who want culture and walkability.
Health care, schools, work and flights. The country's leading private hospitals, most international schools, the embassies and Juan Santamaría International Airport are in or near San José, and the Central Valley climate is mild year round. Many people combine a home near the city with a beach property.
Mild and spring-like most of the year, much cooler than the coast because of the altitude. The dry season runs roughly from December to April, and the green season brings afternoon rain from May to November.
Like any capital, safety varies by area. Petty theft is the most common problem, especially downtown and around bus terminals. The residential neighborhoods expats choose, such as Escazú, Santa Ana, Rohrmoser and Los Yoses, are generally calm, and most buyers choose buildings or communities with security.
The Central Pacific beaches at Jacó and Playa Hermosa are roughly an hour and a half from the western suburbs on Route 27. Guanacaste beaches such as Playas del Coco are a much longer drive, so most people fly into Liberia for those.
