Costa Rica’s property laws are among the most foreigner-friendly in Latin America, which is a big reason why Americans continue to flock there to invest in land, build homes, or retire.

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Equal Property Rights for Foreigners

One of the most attractive aspects of Costa Rica’s real estate system is this:

Foreigners have the same legal rights to own titled property as Costa Rican citizens.

You do not need to be a resident to purchase land or property. In fact, many Americans buy real estate while on a tourist visa and later apply for residency if they decide to stay long-term.

🧾 Titled vs. Concession Land

This distinction is critical:

• Titled Property (“Propiedad Inscrita”):
  This is the gold standard. Titled land is registered in the National Public Registry (Registro Nacional) and offers the strongest legal protections.
  
  

• Concession Land:
  This refers to land in the Maritime Zone — the first 200 meters from the high tide line on beachfront properties.
  
  

  • The first 50 meters is public land — no one can own it.
    

  • The next 150 meters is concession land — essentially a long-term lease from the government.
    

  • Foreigners can’t hold the majority interest in concession property unless they have at least five years of legal residency.
    
    

Translation: If you’re looking at beachfront lots, consult an attorney immediately to understand what you’re really getting.

🛡️ The Role of the National Registry

All property transactions in Costa Rica should be recorded in the Registro Nacional.
This registry provides:

• The legal description of the land (called the folio real)
  

• Ownership history
  

• Liens, encumbrances, and boundaries
  
  

Before purchasing, your attorney should pull a title search from the registry to confirm:

• Clean title
  

• No unresolved liens
  

• Property boundaries are legally documented
  
  

🏢 Buying in Your Name vs. a Corporation

Many foreigners choose to purchase property through a Costa Rican corporation (S.A. or S.R.L.) for:

• Tax efficiency
  

• Easier inheritance or resale
  

• Simpler utility and permit registration
  
  

However, this isn’t required. You can also purchase property in your own name. Just be sure you understand the tax and liability implications of each approach.

🛠️ Building Permits and Land Use (Uso de Suelo)

Owning land doesn’t automatically mean you can build on it. You’ll need to:

• Verify land use zoning with the local municipality (uso de suelo)
  

• Ensure you can legally construct a residential structure on that parcel
  

• Apply for and receive building permits and environmental approvals if necessary
  
  

Your architect or lawyer will guide you through these checks before you buy.

🔒 Ownership is Secure — If You Do It Right

Costa Rica’s land registry system is digitized, centralized, and transparent, making it relatively easy to verify ownership and legal status. However, there are scams and poorly documented properties — especially in rural areas — so:

✔️ Hire a local real estate attorney (not just a real estate agent)
✔️ Never buy property based on a handshake or verbal agreement
✔️ Make sure all transactions go through proper legal and registry channels

Now to compare this to other countries nearby we put together this helpful chart.

Final Thought:

If you’re looking for peace of mind, legal protection, and ease of ownership, Costa Rica and Panama are your best bets—with Costa Rica offering the most transparent and secure process for individual expat buyers, especially for residential development.