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Costa Rica Step-by-Step Buyer’s Guide 2025

Costa Rica Step-by-Step Buyers Guide 2025

Your Complete Roadmap to Purchasing Property on the Caribbean Coast

Dreaming of owning a home or investment property in Costa Rica? The country’s Caribbean coast — with its lush jungle surroundings, stunning beaches, and laid-back lifestyle — is becoming a top choice for international buyers. Whether you’re looking at Puerto Viejo, Playa Chiquita, Cocles, or Cahuita, understanding the buying process is essential for a smooth and successful transaction.

Here’s a complete 2025 step-by-step guide to buying property in Costa Rica, tailored to our region and trusted partners.

Step 1: Find a Trusted Real Estate Agent

Start by working with a reputable real estate agency like Coldwell Banker Caribe. Our experienced, bilingual team will help you navigate available properties, local market dynamics, zoning restrictions, and more. We act as your advocate from start to finish.

Tip: Costa Rica doesn’t have a centralized MLS, so a good agent is your best resource for accessing the full range of listings.

Step 2: Define Your Property Goals

Are you looking for a vacation rental investment? A retirement home? Land to build on later? Identifying your goals early will help guide your decisions and filter out properties that don’t fit your vision — whether it’s beachfront, jungle-view, or walk-to-town convenience.

Step 3: Begin Your Property Search

Once your goals are defined, your agent will show you options based on your preferences and budget. In the Caribbean region, options range from turnkey homes to undeveloped lots with massive potential.

Popular areas include:

  • Puerto Viejo – vibrant town, great rental market

  • Playa Chiquita & Cocles – quiet, walkable neighborhoods close to the beach

  • Cahuita – national park access, relaxed small-town living

  • Manzanillo & Punta Uva – off-grid escapes surrounded by nature

Step 4: Make an Offer

Once you’ve found the right property, your agent will help draft a formal offer and present it to the seller. Most offers in Costa Rica are written in English and Spanish, and typically include:

  • The purchase price

  • Due diligence period

  • Closing timeline

  • Deposit amount

Step 5: Due Diligence

This is a critical phase, and one where having a qualified legal team is essential. Your attorney will:

  • Verify property title and boundaries

  • Check for liens, easements, or encumbrances

  • Review zoning and land use regulations

  • Ensure the corporation (if applicable) is in good legal standing

We recommend working with our preferred legal team, Facio & Cañas, a highly respected law firm with deep experience in Costa Rican real estate.

Step 6: Open a Costa Rican Bank Escrow Account

Funds are typically held in escrow and released upon successful closing. Costa Rica requires property transactions to go through a registered escrow company — this protects both buyer and seller.

Step 7: Sign the Sales Agreement & Close

If all checks out during due diligence, a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) is signed. You’ll then move toward the official transfer of ownership, which happens in front of a public notary (often the buyer’s attorney).

At closing:

  • The title is transferred

  • The final payment is released

  • Your name (or your company’s name) is registered as the legal property owner

Step 8: Post-Sale Services

After the sale, we help connect you with trusted service providers for:

  • Property management

  • Landscaping and maintenance

  • Utilities setup and bill pay

  • Vacation rental marketing (if desired)

Final Thoughts

Buying property in Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast doesn’t have to be complicated — especially when you have the right team by your side. At Coldwell Banker Caribe, we walk you through every step of the process with transparency, professionalism, and local expertise.

Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to start your property search.

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Arantxa Vergara Content Manager Coldwell Banker Caribe Costa Rica Real Estate
Content Manager

Arantxa Vergara

As our dedicated Social Media Specialist, Arantxa Vergara excels at crafting compelling content that highlights our properties’ best features, implementing effective engagement strategies, managing impactful campaigns, and leveraging analytics to significantly grow our online brand presence.

Alicia Homnack Design Manager Coldwell Banker Caribe Costa Rica Real Estate
Design Manager

Alicia Homnack

As our dedicated Design Manager, Alicia generates impactful visual communications, develops sophisticated property websites, and produces high-end brochures and comprehensive marketing materials, all crafted to showcase your property in the best light possible.

BROKER/OWNER

Navid Ghaffari

Navid’s professional journey, rooted in engineering and leadership roles within Fortune 100 companies, has equipped him with a strategic mindset and a dedication to achieving exceptional results. This foundation, combined with 12 years of experience in client relations, allows Navid to approach real estate with a unique blend of analytical precision and client-centered service. He is passionate about understanding individual needs and navigating the complexities of the market to ensure a smooth and successful experience.

Beyond real estate, Navid is driven by a desire to contribute to community well-being. His personal interests—travel, philosophy, and wildlife—enrich his perspective and fuel his commitment to creating meaningful connections. Family is paramount, and Navid cherishes time with his wife, Kira, daughter, Ari Jo, mini Australian Shepherd, Remy, and their cat, Charlee.

Kira Hebert Broker and Managing Partner Coldwell Banker Costa Rica Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
BROKER/OWNER

Kira Hébert

Kira offers a compelling blend of professional business acumen and local expertise. With over a decade of real estate experience, complemented by six years of running a successful real estate marketing agency, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and client requirements. Holding an MBA and licensed as a broker in Washington State, Kira brings both academic rigor and professional credibility to every client relationship, with a steadfast commitment to strict ethical standards in all transactions.

Having lived in seven countries across her lifetime, Kira understands firsthand what it means to uproot your life, navigate unfamiliar systems, and build a home somewhere entirely new. That personal experience with relocation, the excitement, the uncertainty, and everything in between, is what makes her uniquely equipped to guide clients through their own move to Costa Rica.

Since 2008, she has cultivated an intimate knowledge of Costa Rica’s unique real estate landscape in the Caribe, driven by a genuine appreciation for the region’s culture and vibrant lifestyle. She provides clients with more than transactional services, offering valuable insights into the “Pura Vida” experience and the nuances of local culture, from navigating residency requirements to finding the right community to call home.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Kira values a well-balanced lifestyle. She enjoys exploring diverse cultures and nature, with a particular interest in sailing. Most importantly, she prioritizes time with her family, including her husband, daughter, and pets.