Discover listings that move fast — ocean, rainforest, and freedom blended into rare land and home opportunities you won’t see twice.
For its pristine beaches, vast forests and abundant exotic wildlife, without a doubt the most unique zone in all of Latin America. It’s Costa Rica’s wildest and most spectacular region. A place where Jaguars still roam the jungle and Scarlet Macaws fly around in the towns. You will also find world class fishing, world class surfing and a classic mix of ex-pats that now call this place home.
You start to feel the difference on the first day when you arrive to Puerto Jimenez and see Scarlet Macaws flying overhead and the absence of hustle and bustle. After a couple days of exploring around you know for sure. It’s different than the other places you’ve been in Costa Rica. Before long, you won’t want to go home and when you do get home you can’t stop thinking about this place. You feel what those of us that live here have discovered – a rare place that offers an exciting lifestyle found in very few places of the world, and you will say…”There’s no place like Osa”.
Not average people anyway. You will not find large developments or many gated communities here. If that’s what you are looking for, head north to Guanacaste. However, if you want a close encounter with raw nature on the Osa Peninsula and it excites you to think about living in a naturally stunning setting not overrun by foreigners, small-town life, maybe off-grid living, and driving a four-wheel drive, then stick around and explore further on this site. Come and visit Puerto Jiménez and the Osa Peninsula, and you might be surprised how even today this region is still pretty wild — yet has all the important services and community you need to enjoy a comfortable, fun, and adventurous lifestyle.
Jeff
That’s my code — now going on 35 years here in Costa Rica. Clients appreciate it. It’s only logical, right? Located in Puerto Jiménez, our office has helped buyers and sellers navigate the Osa Peninsula real estate market with clarity, trust, and results. So let’s skip the sales pitch and get started with what you need to know.
Yes, foreigners have the same rights as Costa Rican’s regarding owning property anywhere in Costa Rica including here in the Osa Peninsula. Residency or special citizen status is not a requirement. Foreigners may purchase property in their personal name or through a Costa Rican corporation. The same goes for owning vehicles or boats, getting building permits etc.
Citizenship is not required. The only exception is to hold the rights for coastal property. Foreigners must form a Costa Rican Corporation and are restricted from owning more than 50%. For private (titled) property, it’s important to consider buying only property with clear title and to conduct a thorough due diligence with the help of a Costa Rican attorney to avoid risk of disputes over ownership or unresolvable liens or encumbrances.
Jeff Lantz, with over 35 years of experience in Costa Rican real estate adds that working with an experienced agent is essential for on the ground assessments, verify legal access, logistical considerations for services and surrounding development, potential disputes with neighbors etc. A qualified agent should always be part of your team.
Here’s the breakdown for Costa Rica property transaction fees and costs.
Transfer Tax: 1.5% of the property’s sale value, paid to the National Registry.
Lawyer / Notary Fees: A sliding scale of 1% to 1.5% depending on the purchase price. This covers the title search and other due diligence, drafting the transfer deed and recording the new title in the National Registry.
Government Stamps and Registry Fees: Around 0.8% of the purchase price. This includes various minor taxes for National Registry, Agrarian and Fiscal stamps, National Archives and the Bar Association.
Total Closing Costs: From 3.3% to 4% depending on the purchase price. In Costa Rica, there is no law or regulation requiring who pays the property transaction fees; however, normal custom is either the Buyer pays the full amount or it can be negotiated as a 50/50 split.
Other potential costs: Escrow fees or incorporating a new company to hold the property.
Broker / Agent commission: Varies between 5%-7% + 13% service tax on the commission amount — Paid by the Seller.
Annual Property Tax: 0.25% (1/4 of 1%) of the registered value.
The excitement of buying property in paradise like Southern Costa Rica can sometimes lead to hasty decisions. Some key mistakes to avoid include:
Thinking that dealing direct with a seller is somehow cheaper and easier is a common trap. Jeff Lantz has seen many clients over the years who have faced challenges post-sale due to inadequate preparation or not understanding Costa Rica’s real estate Procedures and Best Practice.
His advice is to seek out an experienced Real Estate Agent to help you in the early stage of your search for the right property. Take the time to understand everything thoroughly. Being an informed buyer is essential.
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There’s no place on earth like the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica’s wildest and most spectacular region. Learn more
