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Analysis by Cantons - Greece

"Clean, cool and sweet like a good coffee"
Area: 141.52 km2 / Population: 76,898

Canton of Greece – “Clean, cool and sweet like a good coffee”

Cantonul Grecia
Grecia Canton is often considered one of the cleanest cities in Costa Rica and is recognized for its unique central church building made of… iron!

Yes, the entire church is made of red metal panels, brought from Belgium at the end of the 19th century.

But Greece is more than a fairytale town – it’s an area with authentic, very well-organized local life, and a community that seems to have understood the balance between rural and urban.
Administrative data:

Number of districts: 5
Capital: Greece
Average altitude: 1,000 m

Climate: eternal spring – mild, without extremes
Districts (most famous):

– Grecia – the city proper, with all the essential services
– San Roque, Tacares, Puente de Piedra – agricultural areas, but well connected
– Bolívar – rural, with a lot of tradition and coffee farms

✅ Strengths:
  • Considered one of the cleanest and safest cities in the country
  • An area with a stable economy, based on agriculture and trade
  • Respectful, discreet and hardworking people
  • Quick access to the General Cañas highway (the road to San José)
  • Increased presence of expats who prefer the tranquility and pleasant climate
❌ Weak points:
  • Some services may be limited in rural areas (especially Bolívar)
  • The cost of living has started to increase due to the demand for real estate
  • Lack of large hospitals – for serious emergencies, go to Alajuela or San José

Main income

Agriculture, manufacturing, growing expat community

Development & infrastructure

Hi. It has clinics, big stores, decent streets.

Standard of living

Good, stable

Recommendation

Ideal for expats who want something quiet but not isolated.

Observations

Milder weather.

about

Grecia Canton

Investment Opportunities

(one of the most developed cantons in the western area of ​​the Central Valley)

Why Grecia?

It is only 40 km from San José, connected by Route 1 and Route 715, close to Juan Santamaría International Airport. In addition, it has a stable climate, fertile soil and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

An important detail:

Greek authorities are open to public-private collaborations and support initiatives that benefit the community without altering the local lifestyle.

What types of investments are promising here?

Greece is not just a place where you see clean streets, flowers, and welcoming people – it’s a constantly expanding canton, with a rare combination of decent urban infrastructure, strong traditions, and a clean, small-town air.

– Modernized Agribusiness – Traditionally, Greece is known for coffee, sugar and vegetables. Processing, packaging, export and even farm-to-table shops can be developed. Organic farming is increasingly gaining local support.

– Rural and cultural tourism – Greece has beautiful areas like San Isidro, with natural miradores and typical-style villages. Small guesthouses, story-filled cafes and themed tours (history, gastronomy, handicrafts) are becoming increasingly popular.

– Production and light industry – Grecia is part of the area of ​​influence of the El Coyol industrial park. Small workshops, processing halls or logistics companies can open here, taking advantage of the strategic position and lower costs than in the capital.

– Services for the middle class – In recent years, the working population has increased. There is demand for: kindergartens, educational centers, medical practices, veterinary services, fitness centers and small businesses in aesthetics or consulting.

– Smart real estate projects – Greece attracts retirees, young families and digital nomads. They are looking for quality, yet affordable, sustainably developed housing. Even tiny homes or eco-friendly community projects are starting to be sought after.

– Technology and digital education – The area has good internet connectivity, and young people are open to online learning, training, digital marketing, and IT projects. A small digital hub or educational platform could work well here.

real estate investments

Real estate sector in the Grecia Canton

The Grecia Canton has become an increasingly attractive area for real estate investments, both for locals and foreigners looking for a calmer, yet still well-connected alternative to San José.
Recent trends

The demand for family homes in semi-urban areas (such as Puente de Piedra, San Roque or Tacares) is growing.

There is an expansion towards gated communities (condominios), with an emphasis on security and shared facilities (swimming pool, green areas).

Agricultural lands in the higher areas are sought after by expats and developers who want to build guesthouses or eco-friendly houses.

What attracts investors?
  • Pleasant climate all year round
  • Quiet and safe area
  • Quick access to highway and airport
  • Good basic services (education, health, commerce)
What to evaluate
  • Legal status of the land (posesión vs escritura)
  • Building and zoning regulations
  • Water, electricity, sewage infrastructure
Grecia is perceived as a quiet canton

Safety in the Grecia Canton

In the first 5 months of 2025, 126 crimes were recorded in the canton of Greece.

The most common are simple thefts and robberies, but there is also a lack of burglaries and vehicle thefts.

Official data from the OIJ shows:
  • Simple theft – 36 cases
  • Robbery – 12 cases
  • Vehicle theft – 37 cases
  • Grafted theft – 23 cases
  • Vehicle theft – 7 cases
  • Homicide – 0 cases
🔴 High-risk areas
  • NOT EXISTING

🟡 Note: Greece is perceived as a quiet canton, with a good climate and peaceful people — and for the most part it is indeed so. But this very image also attracts opportunists.

Statistics clearly show that car theft is the main problem in the area, followed by home burglaries and petty theft.

Cantonul Grecia
No filters - No superficiality

Personal Observations

Greece has always given me the feeling of an organized community, like a small Swiss town in the tropical version.
The people are quiet, they smile politely at you and go about their business.

If I were to recommend a place for someone who wants to settle in CR without being too far from civilization, but not in the middle of chaos either, Greece would be in the top 3. Perfect for families and for those looking for a balanced life.

Turism în Costa Rica
Neighboring cantons in the region

Complete analysis of Alajuela Province

What life looks like in Alajuela – real data and official sources