Buying real estate in Costa Rica is typically smooth when you work with an experienced agent, a licensed attorney, and a professional escrow company.

1. Locate the Property and Submit an Offer

  • When you find a property, your agent prepares a formal purchase offer.

  • The seller reviews it and counteroffers may follow until both sides agree.

  • The agreement will specify the deposit, estimated closing timeline (often 30 days), who pays closing costs, inspection terms, included furnishings or inventory, and any legal/financial responsibilities up to closing.

  • Note: Prices are almost always quoted and negotiated in US dollars.

2. Sign the Purchase Agreement

  • Once buyer and seller sign, the property is under contract and the next stages begin.

  • The buyer hires a real estate attorney to examine: title history, surveys and boundaries, liens or encumbrances, mortgages, and corporate ownership if applicable.

  • The attorney issues a written report. During this review period, your deposit is typically refundable.

4. Open an Escrow Account

  • A neutral escrow company (for example, Secure Title Costa Rica) opens an escrow file to handle funds.

  • You’ll need to provide source-of-funds paperwork such as bank statements and tax returns.

  • Escrow protects both parties, prevents direct payment to the seller, and helps ensure a smooth closing.

5. Deposit Earnest Money

  • The buyer wires the agreed deposit into the escrow account. Funds remain secure and can only be released by mutual instruction.

6. Complete Due Diligence and Decide Whether to Proceed

  • If the attorney’s report is satisfactory, you move forward to closing.

  • If problems are found, you can renegotiate terms or walk away under the contract’s conditions.

7. Send Remaining Purchase Funds to Escrow

  • Prior to closing you wire the balance of the purchase price into escrow.

8. Final Closing Statement

  • Buyer and seller sign the final settlement statement detailing all transfers, escrow fees, taxes, payoffs, credits and prorations.

9. Sign the Transfer Deed (Escritura)

  • The deed is signed by the buyer and seller or by their authorized representatives via a power of attorney.

  • After signatures, escrow releases funds to the seller and ownership is transferred.

10. Register the Transfer at the National Registry (about 7–10 days)

  • Your attorney files the signed deed with the Costa Rican National Registry.

  • The registry updates the title to reflect the new owner (individual or corporation).

Important Ownership Notes

  • Foreigners have the same property rights as Costa Rican citizens and can hold fee-simple title.

  • Exception: concession properties in the maritime zone (beach concessions) follow different rules.