How to Verify the Carta de Agua Before Buying Land in Costa Rica
Costa Rica's Carta de Disponibilidad de Agua is the single most common deal-killer for land purchases. Here's the step-by-step verification process before you release any deposit.
Blog
All articles about Buying Property in Costa Rica — Expat Guide.
Best Costa Rica Property Guide for Guanacaste Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Investors
Guanacaste STR investors face ZMT concession traps, water scarcity blocking permits, 2026 mandatory Airbnb reporting, and an effective 12.75% rental tax. Here's what you need before committing a deposit.
Alternatives to Christopher Howard's Costa Rica Books for Expat Property Buyers
Legacy print guides like Christopher Howard's can't cover Costa Rica's 2019 capital gains law, 2025 Inversionista personal ownership rule, or 2026 Airbnb reporting mandate. Here's what 2026 buyers actually need.
Fee-Simple vs. Concession Property in Costa Rica — Which Should Foreign Buyers Choose?
Fee-simple gives foreigners full titled ownership in Costa Rica. Concession land near the coast cannot be privately owned by non-residents without 5+ years of residency. Here's how to tell them apart.
Corporate vs. Personal Property Ownership in Costa Rica for Foreign Buyers
Holding Costa Rica real estate in an S.A. corporation was once standard for expats. In 2025-2026, personal ownership is often required for residency and now the smarter default for most buyers.
Buying Property in Costa Rica as a Foreigner: What You Actually Need to Know
Can foreigners own property in Costa Rica? Yes — with the same rights as citizens. Here's how the process works, what it costs, and where buyers go wrong.
Best Costa Rica Property Guide for Buyers Targeting Inversionista Residency
If you're buying Costa Rica property specifically to qualify for Inversionista residency, you need a guide built around the personal ownership rule, $150K threshold, and 2025 regulatory requirements.
Costa Rica Central Valley Real Estate: Why It's the Safest Market for Expat Buyers
Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia, and Atenas offer fee-simple title, zero ZMT exposure, strong infrastructure, and median prices from $200K to over $600K. Here's what to know.
Maritime Zone Costa Rica: What the ZMT Means for Expat Property Buyers
Costa Rica's Maritime Terrestrial Zone makes the first 200m of coastline un-buyable as fee-simple title. Here's how to spot concession properties — and the scams around them.
Uvita Costa Rica Real Estate: What Expat Buyers Need to Know About the Southern Zone
Uvita, Dominical, and Ojochal offer lower prices and fee-simple inland titles — but steep terrain triggers SETENA reviews that can stall or kill building permits.
Costa Rica Real Estate Attorney: How to Find and Vet an Independent Notario Público
In Costa Rica, only a Notario Público can transfer property — not a regular attorney. Here's how to find one who represents your interests, not the seller's.
Costa Rica Property Tax Rate and the Luxury Home Tax: What Foreign Owners Pay Each Year
Costa Rica's annual property tax is 0.25% — one of the lowest in the Americas. But the Luxury Home Tax (Impuesto Solidario) kicks in above ~$290,000 construction value.
Buying Land in Costa Rica: The Due Diligence Every Foreign Buyer Needs to Complete
Raw land in Costa Rica comes with unique risks: water availability, SETENA permits, ZMT exposure, and unregistered title. Here's how to verify each one before closing.
Folio Real Costa Rica: How to Do a Title Search and Read the National Registry
The Folio Real is Costa Rica's property ID number. Here's how to use it to check title, find liens, verify ownership, and pull the Carta de Agua before you make an offer.
Costa Rica Residency Requirements: The Four Main Pathways for Expats Explained
Costa Rica offers four residency pathways for expats: Pensionado, Rentista, Inversionista, and Digital Nomad. Here's how each works and which fits your situation.
Costa Rica Inversionista Visa: How to Get Residency Through a $150,000 Property Investment
Law 9996 lowered the Inversionista residency threshold to $150,000. But in 2026, immigration requires the property in your personal name — not a corporation. Here's how it works.
SETENA Costa Rica: What Expat Buyers Need to Know About Environmental Permits
SETENA controls all construction permits in Costa Rica. Before buying land or a development project, understand whether your property needs an Environmental Impact Assessment.
RTBF Costa Rica: What the Beneficial Ownership Registry Means for Expat Property Owners
Costa Rica's RTBF registry requires all corporate property owners to disclose ultimate shareholders. Missing the deadline costs a minimum $2,700 USD penalty.