Co-Living in Costa Rica: The Booming Real Estate Market

Published on October 30, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

The Rise of Co-living Spaces in Costa Rica

In a country where lush biodiversity blends with an enviable quality of life, Costa Rica is witnessing an emerging trend transforming its real estate market: the rise of co-living spaces. These shared living spaces, increasingly attracting expatriates and locals alike, offer an appealing alternative to traditional housing by emphasizing community, flexibility, and resource sharing.

Thus, in a context where real estate demand is becoming more complex, co-living presents itself as an innovative solution, combining economic efficiency and community spirit, while perfectly aligning with the country’s “pura vida” philosophy.

The Growth of Co-living Spaces Among Costa Rica’s Youth

Young Costa Ricans are increasingly adopting the concept of co-living spaces under the influence of sociocultural, economic, and technological factors. This trend aligns with a context of increased digitalization and the popularization of remote work.

Sociocultural and Economic Factors Driving Co-living Adoption:

• High housing costs in urban and tourist centers, making individual home ownership difficult for many young people.
• Search for community and shared experiences, particularly among students, young professionals, digital nomads, and remote workers.
• Increased professional mobility, facilitated by the digital economy and the flexibility offered by telecommuting.
• Growing individualization, but with a desire to avoid the traditional social isolation of individual housing.

Influence of Digitalization and Remote Work:

• Costa Rica has become a popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers, thanks to improved internet infrastructure and the creation of appropriate visas.
• Co-living spaces offer suitable infrastructure (high-speed Wi-Fi, integrated coworking spaces), meeting the expectations of this new generation of mobile workers.
• Digitalization facilitates the search for co-living through specialized platforms, allowing users to compare and book spaces according to their needs.

Recent Statistics on Co-living Space Growth and Distribution:

Region	Number of Co-living Spaces (2024)	Notable Examples
San José (GAM)	10+	Unity Coliving, Stolas Coliving
Pacific Coast (Santa Teresa, Jaco, Tamarindo, Nosara)	15+	Outsite Santa Teresa, Selina Tamarindo
Caribbean (Puerto Viejo)	3+	Selina Puerto Viejo
Rural/Mountain Areas	2-3	Selina Monteverde, Selina La Fortuna

• Since 2022, the number of co-living spaces has increased by over 30%, with strong concentration in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) and tourist coastal areas.
• Major operators like Selina and Outsite have opened several sites tailored to young professionals and digital nomads.

Perceived Benefits for Young People:

• Cost sharing (rent, utilities, internet), enabling access to better located or equipped housing.
• Community building: sense of belonging, event organization, mutual support among residents.
• Networking opportunities for professional and personal growth, fostering skill exchange and collaborative projects.
• Flexibility: short or medium-term rentals suited to mobile lifestyles.

Comparison with Traditional Housing Forms in Costa Rica:

Criterion	Co-living	Traditional Housing
Cost	Shared, often more affordable	Higher for individual housing
Community	Strong, organized	Weak, potential isolation
Flexibility	High (short/medium term)	Low (standard annual leases)
Included Services	Yes (Wi-Fi, cleaning, coworking)	Rarely included
Professional Opportunities	Numerous (networking)	Limited

Implications for the Local Real Estate Market:

• Transformation of the rental market: increased demand for flexible, equipped housing at the expense of traditional long-term rentals.
• Revitalization of tourist and urban neighborhoods, with the creation of new community living hubs.
• Price pressure in attractive areas, potentially exacerbating housing accessibility challenges for local populations.
• New investment opportunities for property owners and real estate developers, with diversified offerings.

Co-living thus establishes itself as an innovative response to the needs of young Costa Ricans, aligned with the evolution of the job market and societal transformations driven by digitalization.

The Appeal of Upscale Co-living

Upscale co-living spaces in Costa Rica are increasingly attracting professionals, expatriates, and digital nomads through a unique combination of community, economy, and superior comfort.

Main Attractions of Upscale Co-living:

• Reduced cost: Sharing an upscale residence allows access to luxury properties and amenities (pool, gym, coworking spaces) at a much more advantageous rate than individually renting an equivalent property.
• Rich social life: These spaces promote the creation of a dynamic social network, essential for newcomers and travelers looking to build connections in an international and tourist setting.
• Flexibility: Contracts are generally flexible, without long-term commitments, perfectly meeting the mobility needs of digital nomads and traveling professionals.
• Included services: Premium services often include:

• Regular cleaning
• 24/7 security
• High-speed internet
• Quality common areas (equipped kitchen, living room, terraces, gardens)
• Access to community activities and internal events

Comparison: Upscale Co-living vs. Individual Rental:

Criterion	Upscale Co-living	Traditional Individual Rental
Price per person	More advantageous	Often higher
Luxury amenities	Included	Rare or costly
Services (cleaning, security)	Included	Self-organized
Social life	Dynamic, international	Limited
Flexibility	Short-term contracts	Often long-term contracts

Examples of Renowned Co-living Spaces in Costa Rica:

• Selina Costa Rica: Present in several cities (Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, San José), offers private or shared rooms, coworking spaces, social activities, pool, restaurant.
• Outsite Costa Rica: Specialized for digital nomads, offers designer accommodations, international community, collaborative workspaces, and an atmosphere focused on productivity and well-being.
• Drifter Coliving (Santa Teresa): Modern spaces, community focus, regular organization of events to foster integration.
• CoCoVivo (Bocas del Toro, near Costa Rican border): Eco-friendly upscale housing, community experiences, nature immersion.

Additional Services and Benefits:

• Access to gyms, pools, and wellness spaces directly within the residence.
• Regular community activities (yoga, surfing, professional workshops, evening events).
• Professional network and mutual support among residents from various sectors.
• Secure environment, essential in tourist or isolated areas.

This Concept Meets Growing Demand From:

• Professionals on assignment: Seeking temporary housing without long lease constraints.
• Expatriates: Wanting to integrate quickly and benefit from a comfortable setting.
• Digital nomads: Seeking productivity, flexibility, and a community of like-minded peers.

Key Takeaways:

• Upscale co-living in Costa Rica combines luxury, community, and economy.
• It appeals to an international clientele seeking flexibility and enriching social experiences in a secure, equipped environment.
• Included services simplify daily life and allow focus on essentials: work, exploration, and connections.

Upscale co-living in Costa Rica: a lifestyle blending comfort, community, and freedom, ideal for a mobile and connected generation.

Shared Spaces: A Trend Taking Root

Shared spaces refer to living or working environments where multiple people, often unrelated, cohabit by pooling certain services and facilities. They differ from traditional housing through the presence of common areas (living rooms, kitchens, gyms, coworking spaces), promoting exchange and community while offering each individual private space (bedroom or studio). Unlike classic roommate situations that primarily share an apartment among individuals without structured additional services, shared spaces are organized around a genuine community with professional management and an expanded range of amenities.

Space Type	Private Space	Extended Common Areas	Included Services	Structured Community
Traditional Apartment	Yes	No	No	No
Classic Roommate Situation	Yes	Limited	Few	Weak
Co-living/Shared Space	Yes	Yes	Numerous	Strong

Typical examples of common areas:

• Large living rooms
• Equipped collective kitchens
• Sports or wellness areas
• Multipurpose rooms (cinema/library)
• Outdoor areas/vegetable gardens

In Costa Rica, this trend has seen marked growth since the early 2020s. Several factors explain this development:

Economic Factors

• Rising housing costs in urban centers
• Search for affordable solutions for students/professionals/digital migrants
• Land optimization through sharing

Cultural Factors

• Strong community values within Costa Rican society
• Growing appeal for alternative lifestyles focused on ecology and sharing

Social Factors

• Social isolation exacerbated by rapid urbanization
• Mass arrival of expatriates/digital nomads attracted by climate and political stability
• Increased search for belonging through intentional communities

The rise of shared spaces has a noticeable impact on the local real estate market:

• Increase in projects dedicated to co-living/coworking in major cities (San José, Tamarindo…)
• Transformation/renovation of older buildings into modern multifunctional residences
• New appeal for local/international investors attracted by a flexible rental model with high occupancy rates

Many entrepreneurs are now developing their businesses around these concepts; they create not only housing but also hybrid spaces blending long-term temporary accommodation and event activities.

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Testimonials collected from Costa Rican residents:

“Living here not only allows me to reduce my expenses but especially to meet someone from around the world every week. We share more than just a roof: we build our daily life together.” — Laura M., resident in San José

“I chose this shared space because I work remotely: having direct access to an equipped coworking space in my building is ideal. But what really makes the difference is the warm atmosphere you find as soon as you step into the common kitchen!” — Pablo R., digital nomad settled in Tamarindo

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Environmental benefits are notable:

• Sharing significantly reduces individual carbon footprint.
• More rational use of resources (water/energy).
• Active promotion of collective composting or urban gardening.

On a social level, these habitats promote:

• Intergenerational/multicultural inclusion.
• Solidarity development through daily mutual aid.
• Combating growing urban isolation.

Integrated into global movements for a sustainable and collaborative society, shared spaces perfectly embody this transition toward more applied ecology, circular economy, and genuine community. This model thus fully aligns with current trends seeking relational quality as much as material efficiency.

Shared spaces: living better together – economically viable,
ecologically responsible,
humanly enriching

The Impact of the Digital Community on Lifestyles

Digital platforms play a central role in promoting and managing co-living spaces in Costa Rica, particularly through the use of social media to attract new residents. Co-living managers use Instagram, Facebook, and specialized platforms to share photos, testimonials, and events, creating an attractive showcase for digital nomads, young professionals, and students seeking a community-oriented and flexible lifestyle. Websites like Coliving.com facilitate the search for housing tailored to individual preferences, offering customized options and a secure selection process based on lifestyle criteria.

Examples of Co-living Spaces in Costa Rica Where Digital is Central:

Space	Location	Digital Usage in Community and Management
Locoworking	Sámara	Online platforms for organizing workshops, coworking sessions, and social events, private forums for resident exchanges.
Coworksurf	Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Avellanas	WhatsApp groups and social networks to coordinate surfing, yoga, and evening activities, instant messaging for daily management.

The integration of the digital community helps strengthen the sense of belonging and solidarity among inhabitants. Digital tools (private groups, chats, newsletters) facilitate information exchange, organization of collaborative activities, and quick resolution of daily problems. This fosters connection building, mutual aid, and cultural diversity within co-living spaces.

List of Opportunities Linked to Digital Tool Integration:

• Facilitation of instant communication and management of resident requests.
• Automation of administrative processes (bookings, payments, maintenance).
• Access to an expanded community, enabling international networking.
• Organization of virtual or hybrid events (webinars, workshops, sports activities).

List of Challenges to Address:

• Managing information overload and respecting privacy.
• Risk of excessive dependence on digital tools, to the detriment of physical interactions.
• Heterogeneity of digital skill levels among residents.
• Securing personal data and managing online conflicts.

The digital community profoundly influences resident preferences toward more flexible and collaborative lifestyles. Online interactions encourage mobility, openness to diversity, and experimentation with new cohabitation models. Residents are often motivated by the possibility of sharing experiences, learning new skills, and participating in collective projects, while maintaining individual autonomy.

The impact of the digital community translates into a lasting transformation of lifestyles, where flexibility, collaboration, and a sense of belonging take precedence over traditional residential models.