Why Buy Beachfront Real Estate in Costa Rica?

Imagine waking up to the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach, relaxing with friends while watching the sunset, or lounging in your private pool as you look out at the Pacific Ocean. Doesn’t that sound like paradise? Those desiring to live right on the beach have many options available. But why choose beachfront real estate to be your new perfect property? Well let me explain.

Convenience

Beachfront real estate means you are always within walking distance to the beach! Your property is literally steps away from the Pacific Ocean. You are also within walking distance to all the wonderful restaurants situated right one the beach.

Options

You can choose from a number of different styles of properties. Such as a fully furnished luxury home or a small oceanfront bungalow. There are also beachfront lots for you to build your dream vacation home or a small condominium project. We have very large properties that would be perfect for a large beachfront residential development as well. You can have a swimming pool or just enjoy the ocean steps away. Beachfront real estate means you will always have an ocean view!

Safety

The Pacific hurricane season will not affect your home on the beaches of Playa Hermosa or Playa del Coco. Our region is protected from both hurricanes and tsunamis.

Vacation Rental

A beachfront property is the perfect property for a vacation rental! The ocean view, exotic wildlife, short walking distance to the beach, is the ideal combination for a rental property. You are also conveniently located close to the international airport and have easy access to town amenities.

Nature

You will be surrounded by nature. From crabs scurrying in the sand to sea birds sailing through the air, you will be immersed in the tropical environment. Your swimming pool will be the Pacific Ocean and the rich coast will be your playground. It is the best location to take advantage of Costa Rica's beautiful lush landscape and the beautiful beaches.

Beachfront Property for Sale in Costa Rica

Scroll down to see our beachfront real estate listings and be sure to read our "What you Need to Know About Owning Beachfront In Costa Rica" information just below the listings to better understand how local laws affect beachfront properties.

What you Need to Know about Buying Beachfront Property in Costa Rica

I would like to share with you some of the main legal aspects pertaining to owning beachfront property in Costa Rica.

 In 1973 Costa Rica passed legislation that regulated the ownership, sale and purchase of properties located on the shoreline. The Shoreline is legally defined as a strip of land measuring two hundred meters wide, starting from the line set by the lowest tide and moving inward two hundred meters. Of those two hundred meters, the first fifty are public domain/government owned land and therefore cannot be owned by any physical or legal person. Access to that fifty-meter strip is open to all, since it is meant to be for public use. The administration of the remaining strip measuring one hundred and fifty meters wide, also known as the “Restricted Area”, has been awarded to the local Municipalities, who may grant concessions for its use. These regulations are governed by the “Shoreline Zone Act” (in Spanish: “Ley de Zona Marítimo Terrestre”), which establishes a number of conditions and regulations instated for the use of concessions granted in the maritime-terrestrial zone. Some of these conditions and regulations are described below.

Limitations to Possessing Concessions

The Shoreline Zone Act establishes that the following persons and entities cannot be granted concessions in the Shoreline Zone: i- foreigners who have not resided in the country for at least five years; ii- corporations with bearer shares; iii- corporations registered or established abroad; iv- corporations and entities constituted by foreigners; and, v- corporations in which more than fifty percent of the capital stock is owned by foreigners. New legislation is currently being discussed in the Costa Rican Congress to eliminate the prohibitions restricting the concession of shoreline areas to foreigners. 

Procedure to Register a Concession 

The procedure to be followed for a land grant or concession consists mainly of submitting a request before the local Municipality. The request will be reviewed and the land will be inspected, and if approved, the local Municipality will issue a notice that must be published in the official newspaper, providing an opportunity for interested parties to manifest the concerns, complaints or opposition regarding usage rights that may have existed previously. Once this procedure concludes, the Municipality will be able to pass a resolution approving the concession and authorizing the drafting of a contract with the selected beneficiary and such document must also be approved and signed by the Costa Rican Tourism Board. After this contract has been signed, a Public Notary must notarize the contract and file it before the Concession Registry of the Costa Rican Public Registry, to guarantee that the grant will be protected from potential future claims by third parties.

Term of the Concession

Concessions are granted for terms ranging from five to thirty years, but they may be extended for equal time spans if the beneficiary of the concession has complied with the Municipality’s requirements and established concession fees have been paid on the required dates.

Payment of Concession Rights

At the moment in which the concession is granted, the Municipality will establish an annual cannon (recurring tax obligation) that the beneficiary must pay in order to enjoy the rights granted to him by the Municipality. The concession cannon has been established between 1% and 3% for Condo-Hotel and Hotel zoning and 4% for residential zoning. The amounts are calculated based on the appraisal that is done by the Tax Administration and it can be up dated each 5 years. The value appraised is not based on the market value.  

We utilize some of the best legal teams in Costa Rica to help our buyers understand the realities of buying beachfront properties and Costa Rica real estate.

Thanks for stopping by Costarican-American-Connection. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Joseph A. Emanuelli, I am the Broker Associate with Tres Amigos in Playa Hermosa Costa Rica. I have been traveling to and investing in Costa Rica since ‘99 and living in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica full time since ’07 and loving every minute of it! 

Contact me today for more information on how YOU can start living the dream of owning in this paradise of Costa Rica. Let me help you navigate Costa Rica's real estate market and see why this is the best country in Central America! I look forward to hearing from you!

Respectfully and Best Regards,

Joseph A. Emanuelli

Broker Associate – Tres Amigos Realty

Jaaechef@gmail.com

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste Costa Rica, Central America

Office 011-506-2672-4100

Mobile 011-506-8358-6617

Toll Free From US & Canada 877-661-6074

Member Designations:CRGAR, NAR, CLHMA, IRES, CIPS, RSPS, TRC, ICREA,CRMLS, ACP, SDIRA