Lima vs San José for Digital Nomads
🇵🇪 Lima vs 🇨🇷 San José · updated 2026-07
Verdict
Cheaper: Lima · Faster internet: San José · Higher Nomad Score: Lima.
Head-to-head
| 🇵🇪 Lima | 🇨🇷 San José | |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable / month | $1,150 ★ | $1,425 |
| 1-bed rent | $550 ★ | $750 |
| Food | $270 ★ | $320 |
| Coworking | $100 ★ | $120 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 85 ★ |
| Affordability | 89 ★ | 82 |
| Weather | 70 | 80 ★ |
| Community | 74 ★ | 72 |
| Nomad Score | 78 ★ | 77 |
| Climate | Mild desert, grey winters | Tropical highland |
★ = better on that row. Figures are aggregated estimates.
FAQ
Is Lima or San José cheaper for digital nomads?
Lima is cheaper — about $1,150/month vs $1,425/month for a comfortable solo setup.
Which has faster internet, Lima or San José?
San José has faster average broadband (85 Mbps vs 80 Mbps).
Which has the higher Nomad Score?
Lima scores 78 vs 77 on our composite of affordability, connectivity, weather and community.