0.25% Annual Property Tax.
80+ Years of Democracy.
5–8% Coastal Yields in the Safest Market in Central America.

Can I legally own beachfront property in Costa Rica as a foreigner?

The answer depends entirely on where the beachfront property sits in relation to the Maritime Zone. Properties outside the 200-metre Maritime Zone — i.e., properties set back from the coast with an oceanview or close access but not in the zone — can be held in full freehold title by foreigners with no restrictions. Properties inside the Maritime Zone (within 200m of mean high tide) are administered by municipal concessions. The concession rules, the residency requirement that governs them, and the structures foreign buyers actually use are detailed in the member report. Confirm the property’s relationship to the Maritime Zone and the concession or freehold status with qualified Costa Rican real estate counsel before paying any deposit.

Is the 15% CGT actually payable if I hold for 2+ years?

This is one of the most important and most misunderstood tax provisions in the Costa Rican market. Under current Costa Rican law, capital gains from property sales are taxable at 15% for non-residents — but the treatment varies with acquisition date, holding profile, and classification. The exemptions, the occasional-income classification question, and the withholding mechanics that follow are unpacked in the member report. Confirm the exact CGT treatment for your specific holding period and profile with qualified Costa Rican tax counsel before selling.

How does the Inversionista Residency compare to the income-based routes?

The Inversionista Residency requires a USD 150,000+ investment in qualifying real estate or a Costa Rican business — making it the right route for investors who are purchasing property anyway and want to formalise residency. The income-based routes — Pensionado and Rentista — require no capital investment and suit different investor profiles. The route-by-route comparison — thresholds, documentation, processing timelines, and the path to permanent residency and citizenship — is in the member report. Confirm current requirements with qualified Costa Rican immigration counsel.

Is the CRC/USD exchange rate a significant risk for Costa Rica property investors?

Less so than in Colombia or Brazil — and here is why. Most of the Costa Rican coastal and resort investment market operates effectively in USD: properties are listed in USD, transactions are negotiated in USD, and many rental contracts in the Guanacaste and Central Valley expat markets are USD-denominated. This is a practical market convention rather than a legal requirement, but it means that USD investors transacting in established coastal markets often have limited direct exposure to CRC/USD movements on the investment itself. Where CRC exposure does creep in — and how the effective exposure compares across the Latin American portfolio — is mapped in the member report.

What is permitting like in Costa Rica, and how does it affect my project timeline?

Permitting is the most cited practical frustration among foreign investors and developers in Costa Rica. The environmental licensing (SETENA) and municipal building permit process can be genuinely slow: straightforward permits in major municipalities may take 6–18 months; projects in or near protected areas, the Maritime Zone, or with environmental complexity can take 2–5 years. The permitting pathway by property type and zone — the practical implication for how you should buy, and the strategies experienced Costa Rican developers use to manage the process — is in the member report.

Is MPH affiliated with any Costa Rica developer, agent, or residency facilitator?

No. MPH International has no financial relationship with any developer, real estate agent, or residency facilitator in Costa Rica. We earn nothing from any Costa Rica transaction.