[![Image]() Meet Jobicy Copilot — free AI autofill for job applications + remote job alerts ›](#) 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. Share comparison Copy link 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. [Puerto Viejo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/puerto-viejo.md) Costa Rica 2/6 Budget$1,640 Internet45 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Iloilo City](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/iloilo-city.md) 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. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total 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 signals Internet speed 45 Mbps 85 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety 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 signals Healthcare 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](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/puerto-viejo.md) 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](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/iloilo-city.md) 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.