Side-by-side city decision # Siem Reap vs Santa Teresa. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Siem ReapCambodia2/6 VS Santa TeresaCosta Rica4/6 $835Siem Reap monthly budget $2,400Santa Teresa monthly budget 45 MbpsSiem Reap internet 70 MbpsSanta Teresa internet Decision summary Santa Teresa Santa Teresa leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Siem Reap Speed Fastest internet Santa Teresa Vibe Best nomad vibe Santa Teresa Safety Highest safety Santa Teresa Air Cleanest air Santa Teresa Walk Most walkable Siem Reap Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Siem Reap](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/siem-reap.md) Cambodia 2/6 Budget$835 Internet45 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Santa Teresa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/santa-teresa.md) Costa Rica 4/6 Budget$2,400 Internet70 Mbps Vibe9/10 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 MetricSiem ReapSanta Teresa Total estimated budget $835 $2,400 1-bed center rent $350 $1,400 Coworking desk $95 $250 Local meal $3 $10 Cappuccino $2.4 $3.8 Gym membership $35 $70 Transport budget $65 $150 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricSiem ReapSanta Teresa Internet speed 45 Mbps 70 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 9/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricSiem ReapSanta Teresa Safety index 68/100 72/100 Air quality 63/100 88/100 Walkability 7/10 5/10 Female safety 7/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricSiem ReapSanta Teresa Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Good Good Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical savanna Best time to visit Nov - Feb 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. [Siem Reap](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cambodia/siem-reap.md) Cambodia → ### Strengths * Very affordable apartments, meals, and daily services * Relaxed pace with a strong remote-worker scene * Excellent access to Angkor Archaeological Park * English is widely used in tourism and hospitality * Compact central neighborhoods are easy to explore * Large choice of cafés with workable Wi-Fi ### Trade-offs * Intense heat and humidity for much of the year * Healthcare options are limited for serious medical needs * Power and internet can be less reliable during heavy storms * Tap water is not safe to drink * The new airport is far from the city center * Tourism can make central streets noisy and repetitive ### Common visa routes * Tourist Visa (T-class, 30 days, extendable once) * Ordinary Visa (E-class, renewable with long-stay extensions) * Visa exemption not generally available for most Western passport holders [Santa Teresa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/santa-teresa.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * World-class surf beaches and year-round outdoor lifestyle * Large, social international remote-worker community * Strong café, wellness, yoga, and coworking scene * Warm weather and spectacular sunsets * English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses * Relaxed small-town atmosphere with excellent nature access ### Trade-offs * Rental prices are high for a small, remote beach town * A scooter or ATV is often needed to get around * Roads become muddy, rough, and difficult in the rainy season * Internet and power reliability vary considerably by property * Limited medical facilities and services locally * Groceries, imported products, and nightlife can be expensive ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry permission, commonly granted for up to 180 days at the immigration officer's discretion * Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa for qualifying remote workers, valid for one year and renewable * Temporary residence routes such as rentista, investor, or family-based residency 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.