[![Image]() Meet Jobicy Copilot — free AI autofill for job applications + remote job alerts ›](#) Side-by-side city decision # Jacó vs San Sebastián. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link JacóCosta Rica1 VS San SebastiánSpain5 $1,840Jacó monthly budget $2,295San Sebastián monthly budget 95 MbpsJacó internet 310 MbpsSan Sebastián internet Decision summary San Sebastián San Sebastián leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Jacó Speed Fastest internet San Sebastián Vibe Best nomad vibe San Sebastián Safety Highest safety San Sebastián Air Cleanest air San Sebastián Walk Most walkable San Sebastián Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Jacó](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/jaco.md) Costa Rica 1/6 Budget$1,840 Internet95 Mbps Vibe7/10 [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain 5/6 Budget$2,295 Internet310 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 $1,840 $2,295 1-bed center rent $1,050 $1,500 Coworking desk $180 $250 Local meal $9 $17.5 Cappuccino $3.8 $2.4 Gym membership $55 $55 Transport budget $110 $35 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 95 Mbps 310 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 55/100 82/100 Air quality 82/100 88/100 Walkability 6/10 9/10 Female safety 6/10 9/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 9/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Excellent English proficiency Good Good Climate type Tropical monsoon Oceanic Best time to visit Dec - Apr Jun - Sep 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. [Jacó](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/jaco.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * Pacific beaches and surfing are minutes from town * Strong dry-season weather from December through April * Good choice of furnished apartments and condos * English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses * Active international surf and remote-worker community * Easy access to San José and Juan Santamaría Airport ### Trade-offs * Rents rise sharply during high season * Rainy-season humidity and downpours can be intense * Petty theft and nightlife-related crime require caution * Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are inconsistent * Reliable workspace options are fewer than in San José * Traffic and road noise affect central beach areas ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry: up to 180 days at immigration discretion * Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: renewable one-year residence * Rentista or pensionado temporary-residence pathways [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Exceptional pintxos culture and high-quality local food * Very safe, compact, and highly walkable central districts * Fast fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * Excellent public healthcare and private medical options * Beautiful beaches, coastal paths, and nearby mountain hikes * Progressive, welcoming atmosphere with strong quality of life ### Trade-offs * Rent is among the highest in Spain, especially near the beach * Wet weather is common throughout the year * Summer brings crowds, festival noise, and scarce short-term rentals * Coworking choice is smaller than in Barcelona or Madrid * Local social circles can take time to enter * Basque and Spanish are more useful than English outside tourist areas ### Common visa routes * Spain Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa exemption or Schengen Visa * Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa 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.