Buying in Costa Rica
A clear outline for US buyers: process, attorney and escrow, costs, and the myths that keep people circling Facebook groups for a year.
Buying in Costa Rica is not a harder version of Florida. It is a different legal system, a different closing table, and a different set of myths. This is the outline Adam walks on a first intro call — so you show up already oriented.
01
The process, in order
You start with a conversation, not a plane ticket. We narrow area and budget, then walk a short curated list — exclusives first, then shared listings. When something fits, a local attorney (yours, not the seller’s) opens due diligence: title, survey, municipal use, water, and any concession or HOA documents. Offer and deposit go through escrow. Closing is a deed before a notary. You do not need to be in the country for every step, but you should be on a video call for the ones that matter.
02
Attorney and escrow — not optional
Costa Rica is a civil-law, notary-centered system. Your attorney is your translator of risk. Adam will introduce two or three we trust; you hire them. Escrow should be a licensed Costa Rican escrow company or a reputable international escrow — never a personal account, never “a friend of the seller.” Wire instructions are confirmed on a video call, not only by email.
03
What it actually costs to close and hold
Budget roughly 2.5–4% on the buy side for transfer taxes, stamps, notary, and attorney — plus any HOA estoppel. There is no US-style title insurance product on every deal; diligence is the insurance. Annual property tax is low by US standards (a fraction of a percent of registered value). HOAs, a caretaker, insurance, and utilities are the real carrying cost. If you will rent, ask about the 13% IVA conversation and municipal licenses before you underwrite Instagram occupancy.
04
Myths that waste a year
You do not need residency to buy most titled property. “Beachfront” is often concession land with a different clock and a different set of rules. A cheap lot with no water is not a bargain. The MLS card from another coast is not local knowledge. And more inventory in 2026 does not mean fire-sale pricing in Tamarindo — it means you can be selective if you have someone who will tell you no.
Free checklist (PDF placeholder)
Leave an email and we will send the Buying in Costa Rica checklist when the PDF is live. For now this is a soft capture — no phone required.
- Area shortlist: Tamarindo, Langosta, Grande, Avellanas, Huacas, Catalinas
- Budget in USD including closing (2.5–4%) and first-year carrying costs
- Attorney shortlist and a licensed escrow — never a personal wire
- Title path: fee simple vs. concession vs. HOA / condo docs
- Water, electric, septic or sewer, and green-season access
- Use permit / building envelope if you will remodel or build
- Rental rules and municipal license if you plan short-term stays
- Caretaker, insurance, and a Meet to confirm wire instructions
Free 30-min intro call
Talk with Adam
Read this, then talk it through. The intro call is where the work starts.