Caribbean Zone
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 The 150-mile Caribbean coast extends from the border with Nicaragua in the North to the border with Panama in the south.
Puerto Limón is one of Costa Rica's two important ports. It is the cradle of the country's Afro-Caribbean culture and the local version of the English language. Few Americans live in this city.
The Caribbean coast below Puerto Limón has many places to live. This area particularly appeals to young people who like beautiful tropical settings, surfing, reggae music and the Afro-Caribbean culture. A large colony of foreigners from Europe and the United States live here.
The village of Cahuita, probably the most popular spot on the Atlantic coast, lies next to Cahuita National Park and has one of the best beaches in the world. Despite a rising crime rate, it is still considered one of the most laid-back places anywhere in Costa Rica. Puerto Viejo, a few miles to the south, is a great place for lovers of the Caribbean lifestyle and outdoor activities such as snorkeling and surfing. There are some lovely swimming beaches in this area and the water is crystal clear.
About nine kilometers down a dirt road are Punta Uva, with a gorgeous beach for swimming, and the fishing village of Manzanillo. This area is spectacular and undeveloped-but not for long.
The Caribbean coast sounds very enticing, however, the abundant year-round rainfall and humidity make most Americans, Canadians and other foreigners choose to live on the drier west coast.
If you live in a beach or rural area, life is generally less expensive and more tranquil than in San José. People living on a small budget might consider this factor before choosing a permanent place to settle.
In this section we have tried to give an idea of the more desirable places to live in Costa Rica. Since there are so many other great areas from which to choose-it is impossible to describe all of them here-we suggest you read some of the guide books listed in the back of this book to get a better picture of what Costa Rica has to offer. Then you should plan to visit the places where you think you may want to live. The best guidebook of the bunch is Moon Publication's Costa Rica Handbook by the award-winning travel writer Christopher Baker. We highly recommend this great book.
| Central Pacific | Caribbean Zone | Central Valley |
| Costa Rica Information | North Pacific | South Pacific |
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