Buying land in Costa Rica: start with the right questions.

Start with the life, then the parcel

Decide how you actually want to use your home. Full-time living, seasonal visits, a vegetable garden, working from home, and welcoming relatives make different demands on a piece of land. Arbor Eden’s founder describes a vision centered on residents and community. A conversation about your plans should come before choosing a plot.

Write down your non-negotiables: access requirements, preferred slope, outdoor space, privacy, internet needs, and proximity to everyday services. A beautiful aerial view cannot answer all of these questions. The virtual tour helps you make a shortlist for an on-site assessment.

Ask for evidence specific to the property

Retain an independent Costa Rican attorney to examine ownership, the registered property, cadastral documentation, encumbrances, easements, and the proposed purchase agreement. Ask the attorney to explain the ownership structure offered and its implications for you as an international buyer.

Request current documents that correspond to the exact parcel you are considering. Tour boundaries and labels are orientation aids; they do not establish the legal boundaries or the area you will acquire.

• Registered property identifier and cadastral plan
• Identity and authority of the seller
• Access rights, easements, and any restrictions
• Current parcel price, inclusions, and reservation terms
• Written explanation of shared obligations and fees

Separate owning land from being able to build

A sale listing is not evidence that your intended home can be permitted. Ask the responsible professionals to confirm land use, water arrangements, wastewater feasibility, drainage, setbacks, and site conditions before treating a parcel as suitable for your design. CFIA’s APC Requisitos platform covers a range of prerequisites including water availability and alignments.

Streams, ponds, and trees can be wonderful features. They can also influence where and how a home may be built. Ask for the buildable envelope to be assessed against the official documents and conditions on site.

Make a complete budget

Keep the land purchase, transaction expenses, professional services, site preparation, infrastructure, construction, contingency, and ongoing maintenance separate in your budget. Obtain written quotations with dates, currency, exclusions, payment stages, and responsibilities.

At Arbor Eden, current parcel prices, community fees, and the precise scope of coordination should be confirmed directly. Do not calculate a complete move-and-build budget from an old tour label or an undated cost-per-square-meter estimate.

Move from a shortlist to an informed visit

Choose two or three parcels to discuss, request a guided video walkthrough, and then arrange an in-person visit when practical. Explore access roads, drainage, neighboring uses, sounds, shade, and the relationship to common spaces.

Before making a commitment, bring your attorney and design professional into the conversation. Keep a list of answered questions, supporting documents, and remaining conditions. This guide is preparation for professional advice, not a legal opinion or confirmation about a specific property.