Costa Rica Property for Foreign Buyers in 2026

Published on: June 6, 2026

Quick answer: Outside one coastal strip, foreigners in Costa Rica get full, registered, fee-simple title, the same rights as citizens, with no fideicomiso workaround needed. The exception is the 200-metre Maritime Zone (Ley 6043): the first 50 metres is public and unownable, and the next 150 metres is a concession (lease) zone where a foreigner who hasn't been a legal resident for five years cannot hold a concession directly, and foreign-majority companies are excluded. Only about 5% of the coast is fully titled, and coastal fraud is a real risk, so confirm titled-vs-concession status first and use an independent attorney. Carrying costs are low (0.25% annual property tax, 1.5% transfer tax, 4%–7% closing costs), and a property investment of at least