Side-by-side city decision # Gili Air vs Uvita. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Gili AirIndonesia4 VS UvitaCosta Rica1 $850Gili Air monthly budget $1,220Uvita monthly budget 18 MbpsGili Air internet 25 MbpsUvita internet Decision summary Gili Air Gili Air leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Gili Air Speed Fastest internet Uvita Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Gili Air Air Cleanest air Gili Air Walk Most walkable Gili Air Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Gili Air](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/gili-air.md) Indonesia 4/6 Budget$850 Internet18 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Uvita](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/uvita.md) Costa Rica 1/6 Budget$1,220 Internet25 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $850 $1,220 1-bed center rent $400 $700 Coworking desk $150 $180 Local meal $5 $10 Cappuccino $2.5 $2.8 Gym membership $30 $45 Transport budget $50 $20 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 18 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 80/100 72/100 Air quality 90/100 85/100 Walkability 8/10 4/10 Female safety 7/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Poor Average English proficiency Average Average Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical rainforest Best time to visit Apr - Oct Dec - Apr Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Gili Air](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/gili-air.md) Indonesia → ### Strengths * Crystal clear waters and pristine beaches * Incredibly friendly local community * Affordable bungalows and food * Excellent snorkeling right off the shore * Growing digital nomad scene with meetups * No cars or motorbikes – only bicycles and horse carts ### Trade-offs * Very limited coworking spaces (mostly café desking) * Internet can be slow and unreliable during peak tourist season * Frequent short power cuts, especially in rainy season * No ATM on the island – cash is king * Limited healthcare – serious issues require trip to Lombok or Bali * Party noise from beach bars can disturb sleep in central areas ### Common visa routes * Visa on Arrival (30 days) * B211A Social/Cultural Visa (60 days) * Social Visa Extension (up to 6 months) [Uvita](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/uvita.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * Stunning beaches and whale watching * Strong expat community * Great surf and yoga culture * Friendly locals * Access to national parks * Lush jungle scenery ### Trade-offs * Expensive compared to other Central American spots * Limited high-speed internet reliability * Poor road conditions in rainy season * Few coworking spaces * Limited nightlife * Bugs and humidity year-round ### Common visa routes * Tourist visa (90 days) * Rentista visa * Digital nomad visa (proposed) Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.