Buying a property in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a land of amazing diversity. Whether you prefer stunning beaches, cattle-ranch haciendas, charming small towns or bustling major cities, you’ll undoubtedly find the perfect setting for your new home in this beautiful country.

Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San José, Heredia, Cartago, Alajuela, Limón, Puntarenas and Guanacaste. The first four are known as the Great Metropolitan Area, and around two thirds of all Costa Rica population lives in this central area of the country. 
San José, Costa Rica’s capital, offers different types of residences.  Some of the preferred neighborhoods include Escazú and Santa Ana in the west, as well as Curridabat and Tres Ríos in the east.  As well, many foreigners have bought homes in La Garita of Alajuela, due to its pleasant warm climate and rural tranquility.  The province of Cartago, also offers rural areas ideal for farming, while Heredia is comprised of little towns and mountains that have become popular spots for homes.

Limón, Puntarenas and Guanacaste are perhaps the most sought-after home settings for foreigners due to its beautiful beaches and lovely weather.  However, they also vary immensely from each other.  Limón is characterized for its Caribbean life style and unique blend of Latin, Afro-Caribbean and Bribri indigenous cultures; Puntarenas is the longest province and is home to important port cities in the country; Guanacaste is known by its great expanses of cattle ranches, and in the last decade, for its growing development.  
Land or home ownership is a right in Costa Rica, protected by the Constitution and several laws.  Foreigners must contact different institutions before buying a home, including the Costa Rican Chamber of Realtors and the Association of Residents in San José, as well as a professional lawyer who can guide through this process and record the property’s sale at Costa Rica’s Property Registry (Registro Nacional). 

Prices for houses differ depending on the type of property and the area where it is located.  Costa Rica’s middle-class neighborhoods have small to medium houses that sell for US$25,000 to US$50,000.  Upper-class properties cost between US$100,000 to US$400,000 and luxury homes don’t really have a price limit. 

Tips for buying a property in Costa Rica

• Ask around the area that you’re interested in – some of the best buys aren’t advertised.
• If possible, request a Costa Rican to ask about the property, since the owner might raise the price if he/she knows that you are a foreigner. 
• Try setting the price in colones, due to the dollar’s devaluation.
• Seek help from institutions mentioned previously.
• Respect the cultural customs of your host countrymen – patience, courtesy and tolerance are fundamental factors in successfully crossing the cultural bridges and achieving your dream home in Costa Rica.