The Leaders in Costa Rica Real Estate

RE/MAX Ocean Surf and Sun has thousands of homes for sale in Costa Rica. Being a part of the world's largest real estate organization we have affiliated offices all over Costa Rica and around the world. Our Costa Rica offices are staffed with seasoned professionals who live here and own Costa Rica property themselves. We will introduce you to the best of Costa Rica real estate and make the purchasing process a pleasure and not a pain.

We maintain one of the largest databases of properties in Costa Rica and can help you find the exact piece of real estate you are looking for. We have offices and agents strategically located in all areas of Costa Rica, including Tamarindo, Reserva Conchal, Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama and San Jose for your convenience.

Our real estate listings include luxury homes, condos, lots, farms, hotels, ocean view property, beach homes, rental income property, investment property, gated communities, golf resort homes, vacation rentals, real operating businesses and much more.

Specialists in Ocean View and Beach Properties

Our main office is located in beautiful Tamarindo Beach, on the north Pacific coast in the popular province of Guanacaste. This area is also known as the "Gold Coast" of Costa Rica. Most investors and retirees purchase property here due to its convenient location (close to Liberia international airport), its pristine weather, world class healthcare system, luxury lifestyle and property resale values. Properties in this area have a history of increasing in value. One of our agents will be happy to share with you more information about the best places to buy real estate for optimum returns.

This area is packed with homes, condos, lots and development properties for every level of investor. Whether you are seeking a small condo for retirement, a large development parcel, commercial properties or ocean view luxury home you will find it in the northern Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.

Of course we have far more than just ocean view or beach properties. We also offer farms and lots set in beautiful natural surroundings. Our extensive list of real estate includes hillside homes with ocean or mountain views, luxury golf course lots, gated luxury communities with horse trails and commercial enterprises such as bed and breakfasts, hotels or restaurants for those seeking to purchase a turn-key business.

Retirement and Investment Properties

Some of our clients wish to purchase a retirement home to enjoy their golden years while others are looking to invest in properties that will provide a solid return over the long term. In both cases there are many options available, particularly in and around the Tamarindo and Flamingo area. Simply contact us with your requirements and budget, and we will provide you with a list of opportunities.

Retirement Properties

There are retirement properties in Costa Rica for all budgets and lifestyles. Some enjoy a quiet life in a gated community just outside town while others prefer a walk to the beach condo or home. Still others prefer to sip a glass of white wine while enjoying another epic sunset from their luxury condo nestled in the hillside above Playa Flamingo or Tamarindo. The choices are endless. Condo prices range from around $150K for a small but comfortable condo in a community with a pool to well over $2 million for a luxury beachfront penthouse overlooking Playa Flamingo or Tamarindo Bay. You can get a better idea of what you will get for your money by browsing our exclusive listings. If you don't see something you like, we have our own internal MLS system, a very large database of property listings. Just tell us your requirements and we'll send you numerous options in many locations.

Investment Properties

Property options for investors are many and varied. We almost always have businesses and commercial center properties for sale. Everything from restaurants, retail shops, commercial plazas, hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartment complexes, beachfront development property and large parcels of development land for new communities, hotels or retail outlets. If you don’t see what you are looking for on this website, give us a call. We know pretty much everyone in the region and often business investment opportunities are not listed publicly.

Some investors prefer to buy a few "proven" income producing vacation rentals. Many of the condo communities in and around this region are highly rated in VRBO and AirBNB as excellent places to stay and enjoy the beaches of Costa Rica. Many owners enjoy year round income from these properties and usually reserve part of the year to stay in one of their own properties while on vacation in Costa Rica.

Other savvy investors purchase a vacation rental for future retirement, renting it out now to help pay and maintain it until they are ready to make a permanent move to Costa Rica.

The Costa Rica Real Estate Market

Is Costa Rica a Safe Place to Invest?

Many of our clients ask us whether it is safe to invest in Costa Rica real estate. The short answer is yes. Costa Rica has been a stable democracy for over 100 years and laws mean something here. However, what you buy and where you buy has everything to do with your success as both an investor and potential new resident of Costa Rica. No doubt you've heard the phrase "location, location, location". If you purchase in the right location you can expect to more than recoup your investment. If you purchase in the wrong location you may have a very difficult time selling your property later.

It is also critical that you have good legal counsel. There are a few unscrupulous “real estate” characters around who try to take advantage of new visitors to Costa Rica who quickly fall in love with the natural beauty and simpler lifestyle of this country. Not a few people have made down payments to “hold” a property and ended up losing their money. We’ll make sure you are fully protected in all financial transactions.

Where should you buy real estate?

If resale value or the time it takes to sell your home or condo is not a factor, you can purchase property almost anywhere in Costa Rica. Homes located in locations far from the beach or away from the larger cities can take longer to sell, in some cases even years. Homes and condos in highly sought after locations such as Tamarindo, Reserva Conchal or Flamingo are much easier to sell and tend to hold their value much better - and usually increase in value. There is a constant stream of foreign investors seeking to purchase either investment properties or retirement properties in this area. This constant influx buoys the real estate market and tends to keep property values stable or rising depending on the state of the world economy.

How should you buy real estate?

How you choose to own your property is an important decision in Costa Rica. Should you own it through a corporation? Should you buy it directly in your name? Is it possible to finance? We have the answers to all these questions and will help you make the decision that is best for you.

We've been helping people make the move to Costa Rica since 1999. Our goal is to fully educate you on all the potential pitfalls of investing in Costa Rica real estate. There are some very smart ways to own and manage properties in Costa Rica, and there are other ways that can make the process far more challenging. We have the experience and local contacts to help you make decisions that are right for you. Our staff includes Americans, Canadians and Costa Ricans who own property here. Their children go to the local schools. They have favorite doctors, dentists and places to shop. They know how to import their belongings and the answers to questions such as "should I bring my car or buy one in Costa Rica?" We can even help you find a vacation rental to stay in while you shop for your special piece of Costa Rica real estate.

We don't just want to sell you a home. We want you to become our neighbors and enjoy life here in Costa Rica - so we make it our goal to help you know exactly how to make your investment in Costa Rica real estate.

Your Real Estate Options

Your real estate options in Costa Rica, particularly in the Gold Coast region, are almost endless. Home prices range from budget conscious deals to multi-million dollar hillside estates overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Homes and Condos in Gated Communities

Many retirees and other permanent residents choose to live in gated communities for both security and lifestyle. Gated communities run the gambit from very simple with 24 hours security and a pool to massive complexes that include an equestrian center, 18 hole golf course, beach club, tennis courts, restaurants, shopping centers and more.

There are high-rise condos overlooking the ocean or smaller 2 story condos with serpentine style free-form pools winding through the complex. Some condos are within walking distance of town or one of the beautiful beaches in the area.

Before you make any decisions on exactly where to buy a condo we recommend you speak to one of our agents. There is no official MLS in Costa Rica such as you would find in the US or Canada. However, we maintain a very large database of listings throughout the country and can help you find exactly what you are looking for based on your lifestyle needs.

Luxury Condo Communities

Some of the most popular luxury condominiums in Costa Rica include: Tamarindo Diria, Sunrise Condominiums, Reserva Conchal, Crystal Sands, Villas Puesta del Sol, Splendor del Pacifico, La Perla and Peninsula Tower to name just a few. There are always new communities popping up and new options available so be sure to check with us to make sure you are getting all available options. Often we work closely with builders and developers on properties that are just getting underway. Presale prices are often low and there may be an opportunity to get in on the ground floor in a new condo or home community.

Luxury Home Communities

There are a number of luxury communities to choose from all over Costa Rica but some of the best options include: Hacienda Pinilla, Senderos (previously Tamarindo Heights), El Tesoro, Reserva Conchal, Mar Vista and Rancho Villa Real. A number of homes have been featured in international magazines and shown on House Hunters International.

Where to Live

For resale value, great weather and the best lifestyle we recommend staying in the northern Guanacaste region. The only place with similar international access and great weather is the San Jose area in the higher altitudes of the Central Valley. However it can take longer to sell a property outside the more popular beach areas of Guanacaste.

The southern Pacific region near Dominical and Uvita is beautiful to visit but remote and a bit more humid. At this point there is less foreign investment in that area so it can take longer to turn over a property. However, if you want to get away from it all it may be a perfect place for you.

The most popular places to live in Guanacaste include: Tamarindo, Flamingo, Playa Langosta, Playa Potrero, Hacienda Pinilla, Reserva Conchal, Playa Conchal and Playa Brasilito.

The most popular places to live outside the Guanacaste region include: Dominical, Uvita, Jaco, Playa Herradura, Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa and the Central Valley region near San Jose in such suburbs as Lindora, Escazu, Santa Ana and Belen.

Getting Here and where to stay

The most convenient way to visit this popular region is to fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR), just a short drive away from Tamarindo. Most visitors pick up a rental car and use Waze or Google maps to make the quick trip to Playa Tamarindo. There are numerous international carriers that fly into LIR. From the US you can get here by United, American, JetBlue, Delta, and Alaska Airlines. Air Canada Rouge flies in from Toronto and KLM from Amsterdam to name just a few. A quick check on Expedia or Google Flights will give you all the best options from your location.

The moment you step off the plane in Liberia and start driving toward the Tamarindo and Flamingo area you will feel like you have landed in a postcard. To the west you will see the beautiful Cordillera Central (the principal central mountain range of Costa Rica), to the north Rincon de la Vieja national park and, within a few minutes drive into Tamarindo, the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

There are many places to stay in the area including five star luxury hotels, AirBnB's, bed and breakfasts and of course, vacation rentals. We would be happy to make a few recommendations, just send us an email.

Why Work with RE/MAX

We have been selling Costa Rica real estate since 1999.
We always have the most up to date properties and prices on our website and in our private MLS database. Our agents are constantly checking and revising so you get the most accurate information.
Our team of agents belongs to the two most important real estate boards in Costa Rica - CCBR (Costa Rica Real Estate Board) and CRGAR (Guanacaste Real Estate Board).
When you work with RE/MAX you are working with agents who represent a global brand. We are held to very high ethical standards.
All our agents are registered with SUGEF (a legal requirement here in Costa Rica). SUGEF is the public entity overseeing the stability of the national financial system. The main purpose in having real estate agents registered is to avoid money laundering and get more control over real estate transactions. SUGEF is similar to the Federal Reserve Board in the United States or The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions in Canada.
Our agents are multilingual. We speak English, French and of course Spanish.