Buying property in a foreign country can be exciting and rewarding.  It is important to do your homework, and we are here to help! Regardless of whether you will be living in your home year around, part time, or renting out, knowing your expenses ahead of time is important.  All costs are estimates and some expenses vary widely, so be sure to ask for quotes if you are unsure.   Common Home...

Buying property in a foreign country can seem daunting.  There are questions of trust, language, laws, customs and much more.  How do you know who to trust and how do you navigate the process? Costa Rica does not license real estate agents/brokers, however instead it is important to choose an experienced agent who is: Registered with SUGEF –The Costa Rican financial regulator, and required for all...

You may know the way to San Jose (it’s about 3 hours, BTW), but how far is it to the store, the hospital, the bank, etc?  In this part of Costa Rica, walking or driving time is a more accurate gauge of distance than mileage (or kilometerage I guess).  Drive times can vary based on conditions, driving style, and other factors, so use these as general guide to relative distances.  Towns such as Ojochal...

Sometimes you just want to get out and see natural attractions without all the crowds and entrance fees.  Although there are numerous public beaches in the Costa Ballena area of the zona sur in Costa Rica, some can feel relatively busy during high season.  Some beaches, notably the beaches that make up the Marino Ballena National Park, also have an entrance fee that can add up quickly. Because you are...

We commonly receive inquiries about what it is like living in the Costa Ballena area of Costa Rica.  Here are some of the most common questions we hear: How do real estate buyer’s agents work in CR?  Similar to the US and Canada, when searching for a home it is usually best to work with a single agent who will show you ALL properties from ALL local agencies rather than contacting individual...

The Costa Ballena area of Costa Rica stretches roughly from Dominical in the north to Tres Rios in the south.  It is part of the larger area known as zona sur or the southern pacific zone of Costa Rica.  The Costa Ballena area is unique in that you live close to the pacific coast beaches and yet the hills and mountains are close to the coast and climb very quickly in elevation.  This means that you can...