I am a naturalized citizen of Costa Rica. I first arrived (from the U.S.) in 2001 to broker a deal that sold one of the country’s premier private universities to a U.S. publicly-held education company. Since 2004 I’ve arranged eco-intensive Costa Rica vacation tours to locations throughout the country, as well as Nicaragua, Panama and Colombia. In addition to serving as an agent with the Coldwell Banker Dominical Realty team since 2015, I offer Expat Consulting and conduct guided Expat Tours.
I had read all the advice that said you should rent for x months/years first, and I didn’t follow it. Instead I did a TON of research on the area that I thought I’d like, and then did a very short reconnaissance trip to the area (like just a few days). I thought to myself, can I be happy here? The answer was “yes”, so I bought the place with Scott’s help. That was 3 years ago, and it worked out great!
Billy Tarter
If you’ve spent any time looking at property down here in Costa Rica, you’ve probably noticed that awhole lot of folks buy real estate through a corporation — an SA or SRL. It’s practically a national pastime.
And honestly, it's often a smart idea for liability, inheritance, and ease of transfer.
But sooner or later, buyers start asking me the same que...
Costa Rica’s real estate market is exciting, dynamic, and full of opportunity—but it’s also unregulated in ways that surprise most foreigners. There’s no licensing requirement, no enforcement board, and no real barrier to entry. Anyone with a WhatsApp number, a car, and a Facebook page can call themselves an “agent.”
That means you must do a...
As Costa Rica heads into high season, the market gets busy, emotions run high, and buyers pour in with big dreams of a new lifestyle, investment, or retirement plan. Most are wonderful to work with. But every year, there’s a consistent handful who unintentionally sabotage their own success by acting… well… a bit sketchy.
Not malicious. Not dishonest crimina...
When purchasing real estate in Costa Rica, one of the most surprising differences for U.S. and Canadian buyers is the unique legal authority of the notary public (notario público). In the United States, a notary merely verifies identities and witnesses signatures. In Costa Rica, a notary is a state-appointed attorney with judicial powers. This distinction is so fundament...
The Garden of Timelessness - 135-Acre Sanctuary Near Chirripó National Park
Turnkey Duplex Homes and Guest House on Rio Talari Frontage in Los Angeles Rivas
Bird Watcher's Paradise - 3-Acre Private Sanctuary with Pool in Perez Zeledon
Exceptional Quebradas Estate - New Construction with Stunning Mountain Views
Costa Rica Expat Properties
Your mountain or beach dream home can be found here. Scott Bowers is an agent with Coldwell Banker - Vesta Group - Costa Rica, serving the Southern Pacific coast and mountainous area of Perez Zeledon. The Southern Zone is the most pristine and untouched area left in Costa Rica and a great place to consider for Costa Rica expat living. Connect with me to start living your dream life in Costa Rica!
