You will find many amazing properties throughout Costa Rica
One of the great appeals of Costa Rica real estate comes from the advantageous property laws offered by this beautiful Central American nation. Property laws in Costa Rica are the same for nationals and foreigners. You don't need to live in the country to own land or property, and the country has no property tax. All property titles are registered with the Registro Publico. The country practices a “first in time, first in rights” policy, so if you have your eye on a property, you'll want to hire a lawyer or real estate broker to research the title for you, or research it carefully yourself. You'd hate to be all settled in and get a knock on the door from someone who holds claim to the title going back a few generations! Title insurance is available in Costa Rica, and we highly recommend that you purchase it when you buy property in Costa Rica.
Two- or three-bedroom homes in San Jose or one of its suburbs start at about $100,000 and go up, depending on the neighborhood, amenities, and lot size. Small houses in Cartago and other mountain towns can start at around $40,000. Homes in the La Garita highland region, said to have the most perfect climate on Earth with a year-round temperature averaging 72ºF, start at around $75,000.
Water, power, and Internet service combined in San Jose and the surrounding area will run you less than $100 per month, slightly more if you run air conditioning or heat a pool. Not all existing homes have telephones, so be sure to check. Mechanical parts for your home or car will cost you more than in Europe or the U.S., but labor will cost you much less.
Most expats live in or very near San Jose, the centrally located capital. San Jose is divided into barrios, or neighborhoods, such as the upper-middle-class barrios of San Pedro and Los Yoses east of downtown. Los Yoses is home to many diplomatic missions and embassies. San Pedro is home to the University of Costa Rica, and the neighborhood offers an urban college-town atmosphere, with bars, restaurants, and shops.
In the hills just to the west of the capital are Escazú and Santa Ana, two fast-growing suburbs. Only 15 minutes from San José by taxi, it feels more remote with its laidback atmosphere. This area is home to a large expat community.
Heredia and Alajuela are both north of San Jose, near the airport. These colonial-era cities are also popular with expats, and feature many upscale and chain hotels that serve airport traffic and travelers along the nearby International Highway.
The most popular beach destinations include the Guanacaste area, especially Tamarindo, and the Pacific coast beach towns of Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, and Dominical. For those looking for early-in real estate opportunities, we suggest you explore Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.
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