Let me start by saying that just about ANY real estate you buy in Costa Rica would be a good investment, as appreciation rates are high - especially in the coastal areas. But being a real estate investor myself, I understand that each investor has different goals and investment techniques. What might be perfect for one investor, may not be so for another.
Now THAT being said, I also have to admit that some properties are more conducive to an investment than others. In this review, I will point out the features of each property that I think make it suitable for an investment.
Remember though - you make the final call. I am only offering my opinion and knowledge of several Costa Rican real estate opportunities - you need to decide if that investment is a fit for you.
I won’t explain each property in great detail - you can click the links to each property listing to learn more.
2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom single family home in a gated community at Playa Bejuco, 20 minutes south of the popular tourist town of Jaco. Priced at $199,000, recently reduced from $265,000.
Key Investment Features for Costa Del Sol:
- Great rental - property management (very soon - within a few weeks) available, desirable community features, close proximity to the beach.
- Built in equity - Over $60,000 in equity!
- Great location - not only is it close to the beach, but it is also close to the popular tourist town of Jaco, as well as shops and restaurants walking distance away.
- Appreciation - Highest in the coastal areas, where this house is located.
The Costa Rica Real Estate Expert’s Investment Grade for the House at Lot 34 at Costa Del Sol: A+
Buildable lots in a gated community in the Guanacaste region, about 40 minutes from Liberia’s international airport, 6 minutes to Potrero, and a short drive to other popular tourist spots like Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, and Tamarindo.
Key Investment Features for Colinas Del Coyolar:
- Low purchase prices - Lots priced at $35,000 to under $99,000 with sizes ranging from just under a 1/2 acre to over 2 1/2 acres.
- Great location - Close to the airport, beaches, tourist town of Tamarindo, and a variety of other tourist hot spots. A great place for tourists to come and enjoy.
- Developer discounts - The developer is offering a variety of discounts when you use them to build a home on your lot, using one of their available home plans. Based on estimates, it is possible to have a new house for under $200,000 - that’s for the lot and the house!
- Property management - When the development is more built up, property management will be provided. In the meantime, other property management companies can be recommended.
- Appreciation - Highest in the coastal areas. This development is close enough to the coastal areas to see some high appreciation rates.
The Costa Rica Real Estate Expert’s Investment Grade for the lots at Colinas Del Coyolar: A for the lot alone, A+ if you build.
Diamonte Del Sol is a beachfront, resort-style, condo-tel in the heart of popular Jaco. It will consist of 5 towers right on Playa Jaco, have a day spa, restaurants, and a casino managed by Caesars. A variety of unit sizes are available, ranging in price from the $400s to just under a million for a 4 bedroom penthouse.
Key Investment Features for Diamonte Del Sol:
- Great location - Jaco is the tourist spot in the Central Pacific, and Diamonte Del Sol is in THE prime location in Jaco - right on the beach in downtown Jaco, surrounded by restaurants, shops, tour operators, banks, pharmacies, grocery stores.
- Under construction - With the developer financing, you don’t need to come up with the entire downpayment immediately, and your loan payments won’t start until the property is move-in ready. You can get full ownership-control with as little as 30% of the property price and let the value appreciate during its build time.
- Property management - Property management is already in place and will be able to start filling the finished buildings as soon as they open. Rents in the area are high, ranging from $240 to over $300/night for 2 bedroom units.
- Appreciation - Highest in the coastal areas. This development is right on the beach in a very popular tourist town.
The Costa Rica Real Estate Expert’s Investment Grade for condos at Diamonte Del Sol: B+ to A+ Have to wait a bit to see some income from your investment, as the properties are currently under construction, but the potential is extraordinary.
The Pacific is a beachfront condominium with a commercial center on the 2 bottom floors which will house restaurants, shops, and a fitness center. Like Diamonte Del Sol, The Pacific is perfectly situated in Jaco in a prime downtown area along the beach.
Pricing has not yet been released for The Pacific, but it is expected in the 2nd quarter of this year. It is however possible to get on the reservation list for a fully refundable payment of $10,000.
Key Investment Features for The Pacific:
- Great location - Jaco is the tourist spot in the Central Pacific, and The Pacific is in THE prime location in Jaco - right on the beach in downtown Jaco, surrounded by restaurants, shops, tour operators, banks, pharmacies, grocery stores.
- Construction not yet begun - When construction does begin, with the developer financing, you don’t need to come up with the entire downpayment immediately, and your loan payments won’t start until the property is move-in ready. You can get full ownership-control with as little as 30% of the property price and let the value appreciate during its build time.
- Property management - Property management is already in place and will be able to start filling the finished buildings as soon as they open. Rents in the area are high, ranging from $240 to over $300/night for 2 bedroom units.
- Appreciation - Highest in the coastal areas. This development is right on the beach in a very popular tourist town.
The Costa Rica Real Estate Expert’s Investment Grade for condos at The Pacific: B Hard to evaluate an investment when there is not pricing. But with everything else that it has going for it, I suspect the potential to be extraordinary.
There are other properties that are available which are also great investments, but these I believe to be in the stellar category. If you want my opinion on any of the other properties as an investment, please feel free to contact me regarding such.
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The finalized master plan for Phase 1 of Las Colinas de Miramar (a.k.a. Hills of Miramar) was just release on May 1, 2008. Download Phase 1 Master Plan Map to your computer for review.
I have spoken to dozens of individuals who are looking at buying real estate in Costa Rica. I have looked at hundreds of properties and developments in Costa Rica. Of course, everyone’s criteria is varied, but there is a “magic number” that keeps popping up, like the universe recorded it somehow and keeps playing it back to me.
Costa Rica has a large number of fine and luxury properties, priced at $400K and above. What is more difficult to find are properties priced at a more modest price tag of $200,000 or less. Over and over I hear from people that they want to find properties in the $200,000 range - it is like that recording that I told you about.
The luxury properties are exactly that - luxurious - but there is still the average buyer out there who wants a modest, safe, and clean Costa Rican property, but doesn’t want to pay a fortune for it. For the beginner, finding these properties seems like a daunting, almost impossible task. When you search the Internet, a score of ads and search results pop up for high-priced, luxury properties, making it appear as if Costa Rica is not for the average person any longer. Unfortunately, that’s untrue.
The key is working with people in the know - people who can network with real estate folks all around Costa Rica to find those properties. These properties do exist, and there are quite a few of them!
I am proud to have been invited to be a presenter at the 
