Why is Tamarindo considered one of the best places to buy property in Costa Rica?

Tamarindo has become a major beach‐town destination: surfing, eco‑adventures, restaurants, nightlife, all in one place. That drives demand for short‑term vacation rentals and makes investment property more attractive. For example: rental yields of 6–10% annually have been cited for well‐located units. It’s in the Pacific northwest of Costa Rica, in Guanacaste, which has become a hotspot for expats and vacationers. Relatively good access (for a beach town) and amenities: paved roads, grocery stores, international airport (Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia) not too far away. A variety of property types: beachfront villas, hillside homes, condos, land for development. Many buyers are not just motivated by investment, but by quality of life: beach, surf, nature, expat community, warm climate — all of which Tamarindo offers. This means resale demand may be supported by lifestyle buyers as well as investors. Especially beachfront or ocean‑view lots/homes: there is a scarcity which supports value retention. In particular, land close to the beach in Tamarindo is harder to come by, which tends to push up value for the best locations. Costa Rica has a relatively low property tax (for many properties) and the cost structure compared to many other beach‑destinations may be favorable.

Is it safe for foreigners to buy real estate in Tamarindo?

In Costa Rica, foreigners have essentially the same property‑ownership rights as citizens: you can purchase titled land, hold property in your own name, etc.  This makes Tamarindo an accessible market for non‐Costa Ricans. Costa Rica allows foreigners to purchase titled land (fee simple) in much the same way as citizens. You don’t need to be a resident or citizen to buy property. Outside certain restricted zones (see next section), foreigners have full rights: you can own the land, resell it, pass it to your heirs, etc. The real‑estate market in Tamarindo is mature enough that lots of foreigners have already bought and live there or hold property there. 

How long does it typically take to buy property in Costa Rica?

In general, buying property in Costa Rica typically takes 30 to 60 days from the moment a purchase agreement is signed until closing and registration. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline and what can influence it: Property search and selection: 2‑8 weeks, depending on how fast you decide. Offer and preliminary agreement: 1‑3 weeks. Due diligence (title search, surveys, verification of liens / taxes, etc.): Often 2‑4 weeks. Closing (signing the deed with a notary, payment, etc.): Usually 1 day for signing, followed by registration. Registration in the national registry (Registro Nacional de Costa Rica): Can take a few weeks after the deed is signed.

What legal structure is used to own property in Costa Rica (personal name vs. corporation)?

In Costa Rica, both personal ownership and corporate ownership (usually via a corporation) are legal and commonly used structures to own property. Each has its pros and cons, depending on your goals (e.g. personal use, investment, liability protection, taxes). Here’s a breakdown: 

Personal Ownership – You, as an individual, are listed as the property owner in the National Registry (Registro Nacional). Pros: Simple process. Fewer ongoing legal and tax obligations. Ideal for personal or vacation home use. Cons: Limited liability protection — your personal assets could be exposed in the event of a legal issue related to the property. Harder to transfer ownership without incurring transfer taxes. If multiple people own the property (e.g. a couple), it can complicate inheritance or sale.

Corporation Ownership (Sociedad Anónima or Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) The property is owned by a Costa Rican corporation, and you own shares of that corporation. Pros: Liability protection — the corporation holds the legal responsibility. Easier to transfer ownership by selling shares (can avoid some transfer taxes).Useful for estate planning or inheritance (pass shares to heirs). Common for foreign investors or those renting out the property. Cons: Must maintain the corporation annually (legal/accounting fees, shareholder records, tax filings even if zero income). More bureaucracy — must appoint a resident agent (usually a lawyer). Subject to corporate tax obligations and penalties if maintenance is neglected.

How close to the beach can I legally build or buy?

In Costa Rica, the rules for how close you can build or buy near the beach are quite specific and important to know. Here’s a breakdown: What the law says. There is a “Maritime‑Terrestrial Zone” (Zona Marítimo‑Terrestre) defined by Ley N.º 6043 sobre la Zona Marítimo‑Terrestre (1977) which applies to land along the coast, measured from the average high‑tide line.
That zone extends 200 meters inland from the high tide line.

It’s divided into two parts: The first 50 metres from the high tide line is the public zone (Zona Pública) — nobody (private individual or business) may claim full ownership of this area, and building is generally prohibited unless under very specific public‑use exceptions. The next 150 meters (i.e., from 50 m to 200 m inland) is the restricted or concession zone (Zona Restringida/Concesión) — private parties may have usage rights through a government concession, but full titled ownership of freehold land is generally not available in that strip for beachfront land.

What this means for building or buying. If you want to buy land that is right on the sand or very close to the high tide line, you must check that it’s outside that 200 m zone to have a normal titled property (freehold) with the same rights as inland property. If it’s inside the 200 m strip, you’re likely looking at a concession (lease‑type arrangement) not full ownership. Even in the restricted zone (50‑200 m), development is heavily regulated: you’ll need to secure the concession, comply with zoning (“plan regulador”), environment/municipal approvals, and there may be limits on height, uses, foreign ownership, etc. The public zone (first 50 m) is basically off‑limits for private building/ownership (unless there are special exemptions) because it is for public domain and public transit to/from the beach.

Can I buy property through power of attorney if I’m not in Costa Rica?

Yes — you can buy property in Costa Rica even if you’re not physically present, by using a power of attorney (POA). Here are the key points and some cautions to keep in mind: What you can do. Foreigners (non‑residents) in Costa Rica have essentially the same property rights as residents. You can grant a POA to a trusted representative (usually a Costa Rican attorney/notary) to act on your behalf so you don’t have to travel. The POA allows the representative to sign documents, attend closing, register the deed, make payments etc.
Common process: draft POA → notarize in your home country or at Costa Rican consulate → your attorney handles due diligence, title search, drafting the sale deed, closing and registration.

Important requirements / caveats. The POA must be properly notarized and often apostilled (depending on your country) so that Costa Rican authorities will accept it. It is strongly recommended to use a specific or special POA for the property transact on rather than a very broad one. This helps limit risk. Make sure a reliable Costa Rican attorney (and notary) is involved — the process has local formalities (title search, survey/“plano catastrado”, registration etc.) that must be done correctly. Although you can do it remotely, it is recommended to at least visit the property and meet your legal team in person if possible — especially to verify condition, boundaries, legitimacy, etc.

How do escrow and deposits work in Costa Rican real estate transactions?

In Costa Rican real estate transactions, escrow and deposits are essential parts of the buying process, especially for foreign buyers. Here’s how they typically work: Escrow Accounts in Costa Rica. Escrow accounts are used to securely hold funds (such as deposits and final payments) during a real estate transaction until certain conditions are met. Escrow companies are usually licensed financial entities (notaries, law firms, or specialized escrow services).Funds are held in segregated trust accounts, not commingled with the escrow company’s money. Escrow ensures that neither the buyer nor seller can misuse the funds before the deal is finalized. Only a few companies are legally authorized to offer escrow services under Costa Rica’s SUGEF (General Superintendence of Financial Entities). Avoid “informal” escrow services from agents or unlicensed attorneys.

Deposits (Earnest Money / Good Faith Deposits). A deposit is an initial amount the buyer puts down to show serious intent to purchase. It’s usually held in escrow. Typical Terms: Amount: Usually 10% of the purchase price. Due: After signing the Option to Purchase-Sale Agreement (Contrato de Opción de Compra-Venta). Refundable? Yes, if there are contingencies (e.g., due diligence fails). No, if the buyer backs out for reasons not protected by the contract. Option to Purchase-Sale Agreement. This is a legally binding preliminary contract that: Locks in the terms and price. Sets deadlines for due diligence and final payment. Outlines who holds the deposit (usually the escrow company). Details under what conditions the deposit is forfeited or returned.
Final Payment & Closing. Once due diligence is complete and title is verified, the buyer transfers the balance of the purchase price into the escrow account. At closing, the escrow agent: Pays the seller. Pays any closing costs or commissions. Registers the deed with the National Registry