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Life is good in Costa Rica! Honestly, whats not to like in a Country with an abundance of rain forests, casinos and over 780 miles of beachfront divided among 300 beaches between the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts? If you're looking to invest in this sexy Central American location, you'll find modest prices and business opportunities in tourism especially ecotourism. Known as the Switzerland of Central America, Costa Rica has been a historically peaceful country and there is much less violence and crime than anywhere else in the Central American region.

San Jose, the country’s capital, is one of the places to get in on commercial or residential investments.  The Escazu neighborhood is one of the most sought after areas to live in.  Spacious 2 story bachelor condo in this area of the capital with 1-2 bedrooms and a garage runs for less than $150k US.

Open to  Investment

As a foreigner, you have the same legal property ownership rights as citizens.  Today 200,000 Americans reside in this Spanish speaking nation.  Many estimate more than half of the national population speak some English. As a real estate investment, a vacation home or a place to re-locate, Costa Rica has plenty of property deals you can take advantage of.

Anything at the Beach: What to Know When You Buy

If it’s beach property you want, keep in mind that the first 164 feet from the highest tide level at any beach is public property.  For the next 492 feet inland, 90% of beaches are government owned.  This land may be leased but is never legally for sale.

The remaining 10% (between 164 feet and approximately 650 feet in from high tide) is the closest available property to the water.  This makes it the most valuable private beach property around.  Once you get to around 650 feet back from high tide, the open market reigns.

What you need to know is that beachfront property has risen 20% annually for the past 3 years here.  The sooner you make your move the better; prices are only going up.

Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach is one of the popular Pacific destinations just 2 hours out of San Jose.  Both white sand and black sand beaches are here.  This town is known for the partying and the nightlife.  Cozy 1 bedroom villas can be found here for under $80,000.

San Raphael

If you’re looking at large investments expansive farmland near the Pacific beaches can be bought in the south of this country.  For example in San Raphael 172 acres with an ocean view is already divided for 40 homes.  For less than 2 million dollars, you cab buy this whole area which already has a main road of gravel, drainage, electricity and a well.  It’s ready for construction and marketing as individual villas. Small beach front properties around San Raphael can run as low as $50,000.

Caribbean Coast Lands

Much of the Caribbean coast is still undeveloped.  This is where you are more likely to get the best buys.  But keep in mind there are less services than on the Pacific side.  Transportation is super limited and this will raise construction costs for anything you need to bring in. On the flip side however, this makes for a terrific hideaway.  There’s no better place in Central America to build an exclusive yacht club than Caribbean Costa Rica.

Costa Rican Events

• Puntarenas Festival in February.
• Monteverde Music Festival with the best national musicians in February- March.
• Juan Santa Maria Day in late April is a week of concerts and partying.
• Limon Carnival in October: A week-long Caribbean Mardi Gras.
• Fiesta de la Yeguita (Little Mare) in December.

How to Buy Costa Rican Realty

If you are interested in a property make sure the guy trying to sell has legal title (la escritura) and a copy of the registration which shows him as owner in the National Registry of Property.  If they don’t have the registry copy, get the address as it appears on the title.  With this, your lawyer can look it up in the registry and make sure everything is on the up and up.

Check for Services and Safety

You also want to check out and evaluate the water source or water access to the house or property, availability of electricity and of phone service.  Don’t forget to investigate home and property drainage since you will definitely be effected by tropical storms.

Also the structural integrity of a house you buy or build are crucial as earthquakes are a real issue.  A lot of this stuff can be inspected by local or national authorities.

Investment Opportunities

Real Estate

Ecotourism

Medical Tourism

Restaurants

Hotels

Land Development

Warehouses and Commercial Properties

References Links

http://www.vivacostarica.com/costa-rica-vacations/costa-rica-festivals.html

http://www.propertiesincostarica.com/invest.html