Puerto Viejo
Costa Rica
2/6
Budget$1,640
Internet45 Mbps
Vibe8/10
Side-by-side city decision
Puerto Viejo vs Iloilo City.
A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.
Puerto ViejoCosta Rica2
VS
Iloilo CityPhilippines3
$1,640Puerto Viejo monthly budget
$675Iloilo City monthly budget
45 MbpsPuerto Viejo internet
85 MbpsIloilo City internet
Decision summary
Iloilo City
Iloilo City leads on more of the six headline signals.
Cost
Best budget
Iloilo City
Speed
Fastest internet
Iloilo City
Vibe
Best nomad vibe
Puerto Viejo
Safety
Highest safety
Iloilo City
Air
Cleanest air
Puerto Viejo
Walk
Most walkable
Tie
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
Iloilo City
Philippines
3/6
Budget$675
Internet85 Mbps
Vibe7/10
Full comparison
Compare what matters
Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsTotal estimated budget
$1,640
$675
1-bed center rent
$950
$300
Coworking desk
$180
$110
Local meal
$9
$2.7
Cappuccino
$3.8
$2.5
Gym membership
$45
$32
Transport budget
$90
$45
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsInternet speed
45 Mbps
85 Mbps
Nomad vibe
8/10
7/10
Quality of life
5 signalsSafety index
62/100
68/100
Air quality
88/100
73/100
Walkability
6/10
6/10
Female safety
6/10
7/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
7/10
6/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsHealthcare quality
Average
Good
English proficiency
Good
Excellent
Climate type
Tropical rainforest
Tropical monsoon
Best time to visit
Feb - Apr
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.
Puerto Viejo
Costa Rica
Strengths
- Caribbean beaches, jungle, and wildlife are minutes away
- Relaxed international community with strong surf culture
- English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses
- Warm weather year-round
- Good range of vegan, vegetarian, and Caribbean food
- Lower traffic and a slower pace than San José
Trade-offs
- Rent and groceries are expensive for a small beach town
- Internet quality varies sharply by property and weather
- Heavy rain, humidity, mold, and mosquitoes are persistent
- Healthcare options are limited outside larger towns
- Scooters, bikes, and valuables can be targets for theft
- Roads, sidewalks, and public transport are basic
Common visa routes
- Tourist entry stamp, typically up to 180 days at immigration discretion
- Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
- Rentista or Pensionado temporary-residence pathways
Iloilo City
Philippines
Strengths
- Low everyday costs compared with Manila and Cebu
- Friendly English-speaking local population
- Strong food culture and excellent seafood
- Generally relaxed pace with less traffic than major Philippine cities
- Good hospitals, malls, and practical city services
- Access to Guimaras beaches and regional nature trips
Trade-offs
- No dedicated Philippine digital-nomad visa
- Heavy rain, humidity, and occasional storm disruptions
- Internet quality varies significantly by building and neighborhood
- Limited coworking and international networking scene
- Walkability is uneven outside central districts
- Tap water is not considered safe for drinking
Common visa routes
- Visa-free entry, typically 30 days for many nationalities
- Tourist visa extension through Philippine immigration offices
- Special Resident Retiree's Visa for qualifying long-stay residents
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.