Real estate agents in Costa Rica for renters and buyers

Most people who settle well in Costa Rica rent before they buy. A local agent helps with both, but agents are not licensed by the state and there is no single listing system, so choosing a careful one matters.

Renting

• Long-term leases are commonly for a year or more. Costa Rican rental law gives residential tenants a minimum term of three years unless they choose to leave earlier, which protects you more than it binds you. Ask your agent how it applies to your lease.
• Landlords usually ask for a deposit of one month’s rent plus the first month.
• Furnished rentals are common in the areas popular with foreigners. Unfurnished can mean no appliances at all.
• In beach towns, owners often prefer short-term holiday lets in high season. Twelve-month leases exist but take more looking.
• Have the lease explained in English before you sign, and check who pays for water, electricity, internet, garden and pool care.

Buying

• Foreigners can own titled property outright, with the same rights as Costa Ricans.
• Beachfront land within 200 metres of the high tide line is mostly concession land, not titled, with limits on foreign holders.
• The sale is completed by a notary, who in Costa Rica is always an attorney, and recorded in the National Registry.
• The same property can be listed with several agents at different prices, and asking prices are often negotiable.

The detail is in buying property in Costa Rica.

What a good agent does

• Shows you several areas and tells you the drawbacks of each, including roads, water and noise in high season.
• Tells you what similar homes actually rented or sold for, not only what is being asked.
• Knows which properties are titled and which are concessions, and says so up front.
• Recommends, but doesn’t choose for you, an independent attorney to check title.
• Tells you who is paying the commission.

What to ask before hiring

• How long have you worked in this area, and do you live here?
• Do you belong to a professional association?
• Who pays your commission, and how much is it?
• Do you represent the seller, the buyer, or both?
• Can I speak with foreign clients you worked with in the last year?
• For a purchase: is the property titled or a concession, and has the registry record been checked?

See the best places to live in Costa Rica to narrow down where to look.

Common questions

Are real estate agents licensed in Costa Rica?

No. Costa Rica doesn't require a government licence to work as a real estate agent. Some agents belong to voluntary professional associations, and anyone handling client money should be registered with the financial regulator. Check references and how long the agent has worked in the area.

Can I rent long term in Costa Rica without residency?

Yes. Landlords rent to foreigners on tourist status. Expect to pay a deposit and the first month's rent, and to show a passport.

Is rent in Costa Rica paid in dollars or colones?

Either. Many rentals aimed at foreigners are priced in dollars. The currency of the lease affects how rent can be increased, so make sure the lease states it clearly.