Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica: Practical Tips for Buyers

Buying real estate in Costa Rica is open to foreigners, and you do not need Costa Rican residency to buy privately titled property. The process goes smoothly when you follow a few rules: define your search, hire your own attorney before you make an offer, put everything in a written purchase agreement, and let due diligence finish before closing.

These tips walk through each stage so you know what to expect. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Foreigners Can Own Titled Property

Foreign buyers hold the same ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens on titled property, and a property can be registered in your own name or in the name of a company. Registered property rights are recorded at the National Registry (Registro Nacional).

Coastal land is the main exception to keep in mind. Property in the maritime zone may be held under a concession rather than private title, and concessions carry different rights and foreign-participation restrictions. An attorney should confirm which regime applies before you make an offer.

Start With a Clear Search Plan

Decide on the region, property type, budget, and how you plan to use the property, whether as a full-time home, a vacation home, a rental, or a retirement base. Costa Rica’s regions differ in climate, infrastructure, and pace of life, so these choices narrow the search quickly.

Costa Rica has no centralized Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The same property can appear on several websites at different prices, so compare listings carefully and research comparable properties in the area. If a price looks unusually low, ask why.

Couple touring a tropical Costa Rica home with an agent in a flower-filled garden

Visit in person before you commit. Photos rarely show access road conditions, drainage, noise, or neighboring land use, and some roads are difficult to drive in the rainy season.

Hire Your Own Attorney Before You Offer

Retain an independent Costa Rican attorney before you sign anything or send money, ideally someone you found yourself rather than a referral from the seller. Your attorney reviews the title, checks for liens and annotations, confirms the property’s legal status, and advises you on any issue before you commit.

Buyers meeting with a professional at an office table with a view of green hills

Make Your Offer in Writing

Offers are formalized through a promissory purchase agreement, known as the Opción de Compraventa. It should state the price, the deposit and who holds it, the due diligence period, any conditions, and the closing date. A deposit is agreed in the offer, and it should be held in escrow rather than paid directly to the seller or an agent.

Let Due Diligence Finish

The due diligence period typically runs 30–45 days. During that time, your attorney should confirm:

The registered title and any liens, mortgages, or annotations
That the cadastral survey (plano catastrado) matches the physical boundaries
Legal road access and any easements
Property tax payments with the municipality
Water service rights and utility connections
Permits for existing construction and the zoning designation
Condominium rules, fees, and finances, if applicable

If a problem appears, the agreement should allow you to renegotiate or withdraw.

Surveyor reviewing property plans at an outdoor table beside survey equipment in green hills

Budget for Closing and Ownership Costs

Closing costs on a Costa Rica property sale cover the attorneys, the real estate commission, and other legal costs. How those costs are shared between buyer and seller is set in the purchase agreement, so ask your attorney for an itemized estimate before you sign.

Two government charges are worth knowing. The law makes the buyer and seller responsible for the property transfer tax in equal parts. After you own the property, the annual property tax is paid to the municipality on its registered value.

Timeline for Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica

A clean purchase typically takes 60–90 days from accepted offer to registered title. The closing is handled by a notary-attorney (notario público), who prepares the transfer deed, oversees the signing, and presents it to the National Registry. Title passes when registration is complete, typically 2–4 weeks after signing. If you cannot be in Costa Rica for closing, ask your attorney whether a power of attorney can be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners buy real estate in Costa Rica?

Yes. Foreigners can buy privately titled property with the same ownership rights as citizens, and Costa Rican residency is not required. Maritime-zone concessions follow different rules.

Do I need my own attorney?

Yes. An independent Costa Rican attorney should review the title and the property before you make an offer or pay a deposit.

How much deposit is typical?

Buyers commonly place the agreed deposit in escrow while due diligence is completed.

How much are closing costs?

Covering the attorneys, the real estate commission, and other legal costs. The purchase agreement sets how they are shared.

Can I finance part of the purchase?

GAP Equity Loans considers property-backed loans from US$50,000 for borrowers of any nationality. Costa Rican residency is not required, and each loan requires property and documentation review.

This article is general information only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. GAP Real Estate is not a legal or tax advisor. Speak with a qualified Costa Rican attorney or accountant about your own purchase.

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Ready to start? Browse current Costa Rica properties, read the Costa Rica Buyer Guide, or email info@gap.cr.