Blog
Tips and updates for buying, renting, and visiting property in Costa Rica.
Lease before you buy in Costa Rica: test microclimate and routines for 6-12 months
Renting first can prevent expensive location mistakes. Use a 6-12 month lease to test rain, heat, commute, and service reliability before committing to a purchase.
Read moreGated community vs finca security in Costa Rica: practical risk comparison
Security is not one-size-fits-all. Compare controlled-access communities and independent fincas by response time, visibility, staffing, and daily habits.
Read moreSelling property in Costa Rica: capital gains and transfer costs at exit
Exit planning matters as much as buying well. Understand capital gains basics, transfer-related costs, and how to prepare your documents before listing.
Read moreFurniture for Costa Rica move: ship your household goods or buy local?
Most buyers save money by shipping selectively and buying the rest in Costa Rica. Use this framework to decide what to bring, what to sell, and what to replace.
Read moreSchools for expat families in Costa Rica: Central Valley and Guanacaste options
School choice often drives where families buy. Compare international-school concentration, commute realities, and housing strategy before committing to a region.
Read moreSolar power for homes in Costa Rica: net metering basics and finca realities
Solar can reduce energy bills and improve resiliency, but results depend on utility rules, roof design, and backup strategy. Here is what buyers should evaluate before installing.
Read moreBuilding permits and setbacks in Costa Rica: planos, municipality, and avoidable mistakes
Buying land is only step one. Before building, verify zoning, setbacks, access, and approved plans to avoid expensive stop-work problems.
Read moreOpening a bank account in Costa Rica as a foreigner: what documents banks ask for
Banking is possible for foreigners, but compliance checks are strict. Learn common requirements, expected timelines, and how to prepare for smoother account opening.
Read moreInternet and cell coverage in Costa Rica by region: fiber, ICE, and Starlink realities
Do not assume every listing supports remote work. This regional guide covers fiber availability, mobile redundancy, and where Starlink can make sense on rural properties.
Read moreCan foreigners get a mortgage in Costa Rica? Cash, bank loans, and owner financing
Foreign buyers can finance in Costa Rica, but options differ from US and Canada norms. Compare cash purchases, local bank mortgages, and owner financing with realistic terms.
Read moreCondo vs finca vs townhome in Costa Rica: lifestyle, risk, and true monthly cost
Each property type solves a different problem. Compare maintenance, microclimate exposure, security, and mobility before choosing where to buy in Costa Rica.
Read moreWell, ASADA, or spring? Water due diligence before buying a finca in Costa Rica
A beautiful finca is not enough if water fails in dry season. Learn how to verify wells, ASADA availability, and spring rights before you buy land in Costa Rica.
Read moreCosta Rica property tax explained: impuesto de bienes inmuebles for owners
Costa Rica annual property tax is usually lower than many buyers expect, but declaration and municipality process matters. Learn rates, payment timing, and practical budgeting in USD and colones.
Read moreClosing costs in Costa Rica: what buyers should budget before transfer day
Beyond the purchase price, buyers pay transfer tax, notary protocol, attorney fees, and registry stamps. Here is a practical budget in USD and colones so closing day has no surprises.
Read moreA cool finca project in Costa Rica: build a fish pond with aquaponics circulation for your plants
Fish feed the plants, plants clean the water—a closed loop that fits Costa Rica’s climate. A practical DIY guide for finca buyers who want food production, not just a view.
Read moreWhat grows where in Costa Rica: trees, vegetables, elevation, heat, and why coconuts love the coast
Same country, different orchard: coconuts and cashew on salty Pacific beaches, cacao and banana on the wet Caribbean, coffee and avocado in the Central Valley, strawberries and potatoes in the cool highlands. A buyer’s guide by zone.
Read moreMarchamo and DEKRA in Costa Rica: yearly car tax, registration sticker, and how hard the inspection really is
Two rituals every car owner faces: pass the DEKRA technical inspection (RTV, formerly RITEVE), then pay marchamo to INS by December 31. Here is the calendar, what you pay for, ballpark costs, and why older cars stress about inspection week.
Read moreDriving from the USA to Costa Rica vs flying: start fresh, or fly and ship everything?
Three real paths: the Pan-American road trip (2–3 weeks, border paperwork, temporary import only), a flight and buy-local reset (fastest for most), or fly plus container / car shipping (4–10 weeks, $4k–$12k ballpark). Here is how to choose.
Read moreJuturna Water in Costa Rica: $500 reverse osmosis, whole-house UV filtration, and ~$6,500 full-home packages
Moving in? Tap water varies by province and well. Juturna Water—a Costa Rica pioneer since 2006—offers strong RO under the sink for about $500, or a full stack (pump, softener, heater, UV whole-house filtration) near $6,500 installed.
Read moreBest beaches in Costa Rica for visitors and homebuyers
Pacific surf towns, Caribbean reef calm, and what to know before you buy or rent near the coast.
Read moreAll-inclusive resorts in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Riu Guanacaste (#1 pick), photos, and 2026 price ranges
Costa Rica is not Cancún—options are fewer and pricier—but Hotel Riu Guanacaste on Playa Matapalo leads on size and value. Ballpark rates from ~$200/night green season to ~$485 peak, plus seven more Guanacaste names to compare.
Read moreFood business opportunity in Costa Rica: bland everyday meals, pricey good plates, and room for retirees who cook
Locals say prices in mil (thousands of colones). A standout restaurant plate runs ₡15,000–20,000—roughly $33–44 USD at today’s rate. Retirees who can deliver real flavor for less may find hungry customers.
Read moreRainy season in Costa Rica: what it’s really like (afternoon showers, July breaks, and green sunsets)
Before moving, many people picture nonstop downpours. Most days are clearer than that—morning sun, a few hours of rain, then golden-hour skies. Here is how green season actually works.
Read moreHealthcare in Costa Rica: CAJA public coverage, private hospitals, and what buyers should plan for
CCSS (CAJA) for residents, private hospitals for speed, and INS insurance basics—how the system works and typical costs for expats house-hunting or relocating.
Read moreDomestic flights in Costa Rica: local airlines, routes, and what tickets cost
Skip the five-hour drive—fly from San José or Liberia to Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Nosara, the Osa Peninsula, and more. Here is how local airlines work and typical fares.
Read moreWhy the US dollar strengthens or weakens against the colón in Costa Rica
Oil, tourism, exports, dollar reserves, and global interest rates all push the colón. Here is what moves the rate—and what it means when you buy property or live on a US-dollar budget.
Read moreShipping packages to Costa Rica: Amazon, Temu, fees, and the 13% import tax
You can order from Amazon, Temu, and overseas shops—but plan for forwarding fees, customs, 13% IVA, and two to eight weeks for delivery. Here is what new residents and buyers should expect.
Read moreGoogle Maps vs Waze in Costa Rica: traffic, dirt roads, and not getting lost
Use both apps—but trust the listing pin. Rush-hour traffic in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM—the San José metro and nearby cities) is brutal; maps often label gravel as a normal road. Here is how locals and buyers navigate.
Read moreRenting a car in Costa Rica: tolls, colones, insurance, and common headaches
Rentals work for property tours—but disputes, pushy insurance upsells, and cash tolls catch visitors off guard. Carry colones, know the roads, and photograph every scratch.
Read moreResidency, border runs, and driving as a foreigner in Costa Rica
Tourist stays can be up to 180 days—but the officer decides. Repeat border stamps draw extra scrutiny. Return tickets, driving limits, and when you need formal DIMEX residency.
Read moreAirport checklist for Costa Rica residents: what to carry every time you fly back
Legal residency changes how you re-enter—not just how long you stay. Passport, valid DIMEX residency card, customs rules, and a few habits that keep every trip smooth.
Read moreImporting a car or pet into Costa Rica: what foreigners should budget for
Shipping a vehicle is possible but rarely cheap. Dogs and cats are easier—with the right vaccines and certificates. Rules change; verify with customs and SENASA (Costa Rica’s animal health agency) before you book freight.
Read moreMicroclimates in Costa Rica: humidity, elevation, and which way your house faces
The same country can feel like beach heat, spring in the valley, or cool cloud forest. House direction and time of day matter as much as the province on the map.
Read moreGas prices in Costa Rica: same everywhere, higher than most US states
One national price at every pump—no bargain hunting. See live CRC rates and what US credit cards roughly charge per gallon.
Read moreWelcome to MyDreamHomeCR
How we list Costa Rica homes with maps, WhatsApp, and bilingual details for buyers near and far.
Read moreFive practical tips before you buy in Costa Rica
Due diligence, location visits, and working with a local realtor—essentials for international buyers.
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