Grecia, Costa Rica

Capital City

Grecia sits at nearly 1,000 meters elevation in Costa Rica's Central Valley, giving it cooler nights than coastal areas. The town's compact size means everything is walkable, but you'll hear roosters at dawn and need a car for weekend trips to Alajuela or San José.

That 'cleanest city' reputation holds up—sidewalks are swept, trash gets collected, and the central park stays tidy. But don't expect cosmopolitan amenities. The expat scene is small, the hospital handles basics only, and you'll hit bureaucratic walls if you don't speak Spanish. Grecia works for retirees who want slow-paced authenticity, not nomads needing fast WiFi.