Villa$1,495,000
Escazu
8 bd
Buy Property in Costa Rica: Beach Towns, Mountains and Foreign Ownership
6,416 homes, apartments and plots from local agents and developers, across 21 cities and towns.
- Listings
- 6,416
- Cities
- 21
- Houses
- 3,457
- Under 100k
- 445
Properties for sale in Costa Rica
Listings link to the original agent or portal, where you can contact the seller directly.
25 properties shown
Villa
$22,200,000
Santa Ana
8 bd 11 ba 4,244 m²
Commercial property$7,950,000
Manuel Antonio
10 bd 12 ba 386 m²
$18,000,000
Santa Teresa
4 bd 5 ba 585 m²
$7,960,000
Santa Teresa
5 bd 5 ba 570 m²
Commercial property$14,500,000
Golfito
10 bd 9 ba 75 m²
$7,500,000
Manuel Antonio
12 bd 13 ba 1,800 m²
$6,999,000
Dominical
4 bd 6 ba 1,754 m²
$6,900,000
Manuel Antonio
4 bd 6 ba 1,062 m²
$7,380,000
Tamarindo
6 bd 8 ba 800 m²
Commercial property$13,500,000
Flamingo
35 bd 35 ba 3,800 m²
$10,500,000
Hacienda Pinilla
6 bd 7 ba 650 m²
$10,995,000
Santa Ana
6 bd 10 ba 1,000 m²
Commercial property$12,500,000
Manuel Antonio
49 bd 52 ba 3,701 m²
$6,500,000
Dominical
6 bd 7 ba 1,221 m²
Commercial property$6,250,000
Dominical
12 bd 12 ba 1,500 m²
Apartment$6,500,000
Dominical
4 bd 5 ba 185 m²
$11,500,000
Hacienda Pinilla
5 bd 6 ba 700 m²
$5,900,000
Flamingo
7 bd 9 ba 1,075 m²
$4,900,000
Flamingo
7 bd 7 ba 854 m²
$5,995,000
Dominical
7 bd 7 ba 929 m²
House$4,950,000
Santa Teresa
7 bd 6 ba
$4,950,000
Hacienda Pinilla
4 bd 5 ba
$5,000,000
Santa Ana
4 bd 7 ba 1,055 m²
$4,950,000
Santa Ana
5 bd 7 ba 1,245 m²
Where to buy in Costa Rica
Cities and towns with the most properties for sale right now.
Buyer's guide: Costa Rica
Buying property in Costa Rica is popular with North American and European retirees, remote workers and investors, and RealEstateAbroad currently shows 6,415 listings with a median asking price of €446,093. The country gives foreigners the same property rights as citizens, but the coastline has special rules. Here is a practical guide to prices, areas and the buying process.
Costa Rica property market snapshot
The numbers below are from current listings on RealEstateAbroad. They are asking prices, and most are quoted in US dollars before being converted to euros. Half of priced listings sit between €228,858 and €983,372, and the median home is 284 m², large because the listings include many fincas, villas and plots.
Houses (3,457 listings) and land (2,163) dominate. Apartments are only 7% of listings, so this is more of a house-and-lot market than a condo market.
| Indicator | Current listings |
|---|---|
| Median asking price | €446,093 |
| Typical range (25th to 75th percentile) | €228,858 to €983,372 |
| Median price per m² | €2,210 |
| Median size | 284 m² |
| Listings analysed | 6,415 |
| Property-type mix | houses 54%, lands 34%, apartments 7%, commercials 6% |
Where to buy in Costa Rica
Guanacaste and the north Pacific. Tamarindo (€446,093 median) is the main surf and expat town, Flamingo is much pricier (€872,072), and Papagayo is home to resort-style developments. Santa Cruz and Nicoya are the inland and regional centres, with a wide range of homes.
Nicoya Peninsula. Santa Teresa is a boutique surf and wellness destination with higher prices (€759,878 median).
Central and south Pacific. Jaco is the most affordable of the popular beach towns (€320,490), Manuel Antonio is near the national park, and Dominical and Ojochal have ocean-view homes and large lots. Perez Zeledon is the inland gateway.
Central Valley. Escazú and Santa Ana are the western suburbs of San José, with gated communities, hospitals, schools and a more year-round, urban lifestyle. Atenas and Puntarenas are alternatives.
| Area | Listings | Median price | Typical range | Median per m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarindo | 538 | €446,093 | €245,843 to €905,373 | €2,898 |
| Santa Cruz | 597 | €669,587 | €308,421 to €1,430,359 | €2,772 |
| Dominical | 592 | €518,505 | €303,728 to €1,072,770 | €2,541 |
| Ojochal | 385 | €326,301 | €156,446 to €648,132 | €2,462 |
| Manuel Antonio | 227 | €468,890 | €267,298 to €1,222,510 | €2,144 |
| Jaco | 132 | €320,490 | €223,494 to €528,562 | €2,269 |
| Escazu | 181 | €563,204 | €333,006 to €983,372 | €1,749 |
| Flamingo | 196 | €872,072 | €489,451 to €2,234,937 | €4,576 |
Read more (8 more sections)Show less
Property types
- Houses in Costa Rica: 3,457 listings, from small casitas to large villas.
- Land in Costa Rica: 2,163 listings, including building lots, ocean-view parcels and farms.
- Apartments: 418 listings, mostly condos in the Central Valley and beach resorts.
- Commercial property: 356 listings, including hotels and businesses.
Budget buyers should check cheap property in Costa Rica and listings under €100,000, which are typically lots or inland homes.
Can foreigners buy property in Costa Rica?
Yes. Foreigners have the same property rights as Costa Ricans, and you do not need to be a resident. The main exception is the Maritime Zone.
- The first 50 metres from the high-tide line is public and cannot be owned.
- The next 150 metres is a restricted zone that can only be held under a municipal concession, and concession rules limit foreign ownership unless the holder meets residency requirements.
- Beyond 200 metres, titled property (propiedad titulada) is freely owned.
Always check whether a beach property is titled or a concession, and whether the title is registered at the National Registry (Registro Nacional).
Buying process
- Choose a lawyer (abogado) who is also a notary public. In Costa Rica, a notary-lawyer drafts and registers the deed.
- Make an offer and sign an option or purchase agreement, with a deposit often held in escrow.
- Due diligence. The lawyer searches the registry for liens, easements, boundaries, water rights, zoning and the cadastral plan (plano catastro).
- Sign the deed (escritura) before the notary.
- Register the deed in the National Registry; the notary files it and pays the stamp duties.
Water supply, access roads and building permits are the biggest practical risks on rural lots, so check them before you pay.
Costs and taxes
Approximate figures; verify with a Costa Rican lawyer.
| Cost | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax | Approx. 1.5% of the registered value |
| Stamp duties and registry fees | Approx. 0.5% to 1% |
| Legal and notary fees | Approx. 1% to 1.5% plus VAT |
| Estate agent | Approx. 5% to 6%, usually paid by the seller |
| Annual property tax | Approx. 0.25% of registered value |
| Luxury home tax (Solidarity tax) | Applies to homes above a value threshold |
| Capital gains | Approx. 15% on gains from sales, with some exemptions |
Financing
Local banks lend to foreigners, but interest rates in US dollars are higher than in the US or Europe, and lenders usually require 30% to 50% down. Many foreign buyers use cash, home-country equity or seller financing. See our Costa Rica financing guide and mortgage calculator.
Residency options
Buying property does not automatically give residency, but investment can qualify. The Inversionista category requires a minimum investment, currently set around US$150,000 in qualifying assets such as real estate. Other options include Pensionado for retirees with a lifetime pension and Rentista for those with fixed income or a deposit. Requirements change, so confirm with an immigration lawyer. Our Costa Rica buying guide explains how to pick advisers.
Pros and cons
Advantages
- Foreigners have full ownership rights outside the maritime zone.
- Established expat community, good healthcare in the Central Valley and reliable tourism demand.
- Residency routes for investors and retirees.
Drawbacks
- Concession rules on beachfront land.
- Water, road and permit issues for rural lots.
- Higher borrowing costs, and rental income depends on the tourist season.
- Property management and import duties raise costs.
On the coast, the first question is not the price but the title: a registered titled lot and a concession are two very different assets.
Next steps
Choose a region and check our Costa Rica market analysis. For help, contact our team.
Last updated 8 October 2026
Buying property in Costa Rica: FAQ
Can foreigners buy property in Costa Rica?
Yes. Foreigners have the same property rights as citizens and need no residency. Beachfront land inside the 200-metre Maritime Zone is governed by concession rules.
How much does property cost in Costa Rica?
The median asking price on current listings on RealEstateAbroad is €446,093, with half of priced listings between €228,858 and €983,372. Flamingo and Santa Teresa are above that; Jaco and Perez Zeledon are below.
What are closing costs in Costa Rica?
Buyers typically pay a transfer tax of about 1.5%, plus legal, notary and registry fees, which together are often around 3% to 4% of the price.
Can I get a mortgage in Costa Rica as a foreigner?
Yes, but rates are higher and down payments are usually 30% to 50%. Many foreign buyers pay cash or use home-country financing.
Does buying property in Costa Rica give residency?
Not on its own. An investment above the Inversionista threshold, around US$150,000, can qualify for residency, but check the rules with an immigration lawyer.
What is the maritime zone in Costa Rica?
It is the 200 metres from the high-tide line. The first 50 metres is public and the next 150 metres can be held only as a municipal concession. Most titled private land lies beyond it.
Explore more in Costa Rica
Property types in Costa Rica
- Houses for sale(3,457)
- Land for sale(2,163)
- Apartments for sale(418)
- Commercial Property for sale(356)
Budget searches
- Property under €100K(445)
- Cheap property under €200K(1,340)
Popular cities in Costa Rica
- Santa Cruz(597)
- Dominical(592)
- Tamarindo(538)
- Ojochal(385)
- Manuel Antonio(227)
- Flamingo(196)
- Escazu(182)
- Santa Teresa(182)