Costa Rica is located between Panama and Nicaragua, but its highlight is that it is washed on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the Caribbean Sea. Therefore, the country is often considered by those who want to buy housing from developers in Costa Rica, whether for rent or for their own residence in the tropics.
Benefits of Buying Real Estate from a Developer in Costa Rica
Costa Rican developers focus on international standards when building. As a result, local real estate is not inferior in quality to the USA or Europe. Here is what makes it stand out:
- Green technologies. Legislation requires the use of low-carbon materials, and projects often include solar panels and rainwater collection systems.
- High rental income. New buildings in Costa Rica in resort areas such as Tamarindo generates 6-8% annual rental income.
- Transparent deal. Foreigners buy real estate without restrictions, with the exception of an area 50 m from the coast, where a concession is required (land lease from the state for 20-50 years).
- Price increase. According to CBRE Costa Rica (2024), the cost of new housing in Costa Rica in tourist areas is growing by 5-7% annually.
Cost of new housing in Costa Rica
Real estate from the developer in Costa Rica is represented by compact apartments (50-100 m²), townhouses (houses of 100-150 m² in the suburbs or resort areas) and villas. The latter are considered elite housing and are often sold together with swimming pools or terraces overlooking the ocean.
Average cost of new homes in Costa Rica:
| Property type | Average price per m² (USD) |
| Apartments | 1500–2500 |
| Townhouses | 1800–3000 |
| Villas | 2500–4000 |
Popular Locations for Buying Property from Developers in Costa Rica
San Jose leads the way as an expat destination and the city with the highest share of new projects in the country. Developers are building residential complexes with apartments and townhouses. The average price per square meter is $1,500–3,000.
Other popular cities:
- Tamarindo (Guanacaste Province). A resort town with world-class beaches and high rental demand (up to $2,000 per month for a 100 m² villa). Villas and apartments priced at $2,000–3,500 per m² are common here. A 150 m² villa with a pool costs $350,000–600,000.
- Jaco (province of Puntarenas). A city with Playa Jaco beach and affordable prices. New townhouses and apartments cost $150,000–250,000 ($1,200–2,000 per m²). Suitable for those looking for budget accommodation with access to the ocean.
- Manuel Antonio (Puntarenas Province). An interesting city, with a national park on one side and the Pacific coast on the other. The developer's real estate here is represented by luxury villas, with a price of $2,500-4,000 per m². Villas of 200 m² bring in up to $3,000 per month from rent.
- Nosara (Guanacaste province). A quiet city for permanent residence. Eco-projects like Nosara Green Residences build villas and townhouses for $1,800–3,000 per m². A 120 m² house costs $200,000–350,000.
