Kayla Kurin, author of The Best Digital Nomad Destinations in Costa Rica, shares her picks for the country's best restaurants, bars, and coworking spaces—plus the coziest cafes.

The Best Restaurants in Costa Rica for Digital Nomads

El Lagarto, Samara: Perfectly grilled surf and turf and a nice wine list right on the beach. 

Rosa, Samara: In an unassuming parking lot with some food trucks, Rosa mixes artisanal cocktails and serves inventive local seafood dishes. 

Don Rufino’s, La Fortuna: Excellent fusion cuisine for a night of fine dining. Book in advance for a prix-fix menu.

Pollo Fortuneno, La Fortuna: Barbecue chicken and a lively atmosphere on the main street in La Fortuna.

El Avion Restaurant and Bar, Quepos: Eat inside a retired military plane, saved from battle by the gruesome takedown of its sister plane during the Iran-Contra Affair. The sunset view is perfect.

Little Lucha Taqueria, Tamarindo: This is a classic Mexican option with a Costa Rican twist. Try the fish tacos and spicy margaritas!

El Chiringuito, Tamarindo: This popular local spot on the beach will delight the taste buds with fresh seafood and wine.

Park Cafe, Heredia: Part restaurant, part antique store, this quirky spot serves up internationally-renowned cuisine and has a delightful garden. 

Esencia Mercadito, Heredia: Excellent organic coffee and vegan, keto, and gluten-friendly food options in a cute central cafe with hanging plants. 

Cafe Milagro, Quepos: Come for the micro-roasted coffee, stay for the excellent breakfasts and fish tacos, and proximity to Manuel Antonio Park. 

The Best Bars in Costa Rica for Digital Nomads

Voodoo Bar and Cocktails, La Fortuna: Their spooky cocktails and skilled bartenders make for a fun night out near Arenal Volcano. 

Que Mas, Samara: One of the newest additions to Samara, and one of two French wine bars in town, they’ve got the best wine options on the main strip and a classy atmosphere perfect for a special night out.

Las Olas, Samara: A favorite hang with both locals and tourists. They host a happy hour every evening during sunset so you can sip on a sugary cocktail while watching the sun sink into the waves. 

Lo Que Hay, Samara: A chill spot on the beach with friendly service. The perfect spot to while the night away with a beer and good friends. 

Lava Lounge, La Fortuna: In the evening, Lava Lounge serves a large menu of food that will please picky eaters. At night, the place transforms into a cocktail bar where you can enjoy a drink while dancing!

Pacifico, Tamarindo: A popular party spot on the beach with music and dancing all night long. 

Crazy Monkey’s Bar, Tamarindo: Tucked in the hills near Tamarindo town, if you like to party with a gorgeous view, this is the place!

Artisan Brew Pub, Heredia: Neat place to try international microbrews, grab a pizza, and chat with locals and expats. The long and unique beer menu will please beer lovers from around the world.

Rico Tico Jungle Grill, Quepos: Great name, great seafood, spectacular views. The green cliffs of Quepos and Manuel Antonio make this a great place to relax with a glass of wine. 

Pico Bistro, Tamarindo: A romantic tree-lined spot for seafood, wine, and cocktails on the beach. 

The Best Digital Nomad Cafes in Costa Rica

Cafe Iona, Samara: Tucked by the river, this open-air cafe has good WiFi and power outlets. It also roasts its own coffee beans that they purchase from Diria Farm—one of the only coffee farms in Guanacaste province.

Kawah Cafe, Heredia: This cafe surrounded by greenery is a lovely spot to curl up with coffee and your laptop.

Organico Fortuna, La Fortuna: Excellent cafe with vegan and gluten-free options. Try the cheesecake for a special treat! They have a wonderful back patio with rocking chairs. 

Gusto Beach Bar, Samara: This beachfront cafe serves typical breakfasts and gourmet Italian for lunch and dinner. They don’t mind if you hang out with your laptop all day and the beach views will make all of your digital nomad Instagram dreams come true. 

Jardin Tamarindo, Tamarindo: A food truck park for international street foods on a budget.

The Best Coworking Spaces in Costa Rica for Digital Nomads

Locoworking, Samara: Comfy chairs and reliable WiFi on the main street in Samara. Pour a mug of free coffee and head down to Roots Bakery for an empanada to go. 

Selina La Fortuna, La Fortuna: Unique accommodation options and reliable coworking in the town center. Selina is a good place to meet other remote workers!

Esencialmente, Heredia: A colorful modern space with high-speed WiFi, meeting rooms, free coffee, and membership by the hour.

Sand and Surf, Tamarindo: With private offices, proximity to the beach, and nice big windows, this is one of the nicer coworking spots in Tamarindo.

Selina Manuel Antonio, Quepos: You can rent a room here or buy a day pass to use the coworking space. This space has a pool, a yoga deck, and group outings for social nomads.