Costa Rica Property | 8 things I wish I had known before I bought!

49 Comments

1. Spot on advice from one who lives here happily. Good job. Learn Spanish! The locals make this the best place for me. And then there’s my own garden of Eden! Win/win. Pura vida!

2. 3:30 Lots of things and lists… germans: Hey. only half paperwork to be done. Cool!

3. Thank you for your tips. I’m coming down for the second time but this time to Samara Beach.

4. Just watched this video, I lived in Jaco for 3 years and your 8 things to know are spot on. I learned quite a bit of Spanish while there and it made a world of difference, the locals will treat you much better when you learn their language. Good stuff!

5. new subscriber here, love your videos , I can’t wait to visit.

6. Great video
   What’s a reputable Real Estate company that you would recommend?

7. So so true.. extremely friendly people. Although I disagree on the Caribbean, is undergoing a huuuge change.

8. AS A FULL TIME MOTORCYCLE RIDER, I KNOW FOR A FACT IT RAINS A LOT IN ANY PART OF COSTA RICA. SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS BUT EVEN IN GUANACASTE PROVINCE EXPECT TO SEE LOTS OF RAINY AFTERNOONS FROM MAY TO DECEMBER. I WOULD SPEND AT LEAST 3 YEARS FULL TIME IN COSTA RICA RENTING BEFORE TRYING TO BUY PROPERTY AS SO MANY PEOPLE GET SCAMMED. I WOULDN’T WALK ON A BEACH AT 2.00.A.M. IN COSTA RICA, ESPECIALLY IF I WAS CARRYING ANYTHING OF VALUE. (SMARTPHONE) COMMON SENSE .

9. Retired 20 years ago and cast the dock line off my sailboat and headed for around the world. I got as far a Playa del Coco where I met a wonderful tica, fell in love and got married. My home is on the beach, warm water, sunny days with beautiful tropical sunsets and I wake up each morning thanking God for another day in paradise. The information in your video is right on and should be followed and I might add getting a title insurance company to check property purchases is a good idea. My two Doberman Pincher’s work very well to protect our house.

10. Their "Latino" what?!?! I’ve heard about of racists white people moving to CR and trashing the local non-white population. This so called Latino attitude you mentioned makes me think that you may hang out with way too many of these a-holes. Find new friends.

11. San Jose has rough edges is for people that like a little bit of danger.

12. Appreciate the video straight to the point!!!

13. people used to help you in blighty, many years ago now

14. this was nice. I am in Brazil but the draw to CR is truly the spirit of the people

15. I’ve read on the internet you must be able to read, write and speak Spanish to become a citizen in Costa Rica. Is that true?

16. Subd. Truth is though, no one leaves their homes unattended at all for fear of burglary. The locals can be great, learn Spanish if you can. You’ll be well liked.

17. But you can take a small plane by Sansa to most places in Costa Rica.

18. A CPA?? Nice!

19. I have lived in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste for 7 years. You are right on point! The most important things I learned living in CR, patience and stay chilled and relaxed!

20. TAmarindo has a crime rate to be concerned about, but not as high as Limon.

21. Thoroughly enjoying your videos. Question, why do you mention that Caribbean Coast is not a place for living? Puerto Viejo?

22. Do you speak Spanish well and how did you learn?

23. Its pretty stupid to live in a country and not learn the language

24. thanks for the information Rich. I liked the explanation of the rainy season. For rentals what’s the best source for maybe just outside Tamarindo, where you can enjoy the area and it being a developed area but not be in a throng of tourists?

25. I want to be where the produce grows😋 🗺!

26. The Juan Santamaria airport is located in Alajuela, greetings from alajuela by the way

27. This refusal to learn the language…hmmm…and Spanish is comparatively easy to learn compared to English….but I’m bothered because Brits and Americans are the first to freak out if immigrants don’t or can’t learn English…like immediately.

28. I wish you could help me find a ocean front house ? id like to buy there

29. Great video with awesome advice

30. I walked away. Came back to rewind ….and it shows what part you are talking about…as I scroll back …very very clever and smart …I wanna move there so bad ….thank you

31. #3 is for everyone, as a Costarrican who lived in the US the last 27 yrs, purchasing a home took quite sometime to provide proof of income and employment prior to wire funds to the bank. Have all documents apostille and translated first before sending. Cash is king. Like you said, experiences are unique to the individual, have your own network because people will try to make you work with theirs. Be patient, some rules a just suggestions, keep your charm. Be careful on the roads, it is another world there.

32. The house I rent for $161 a month is for sale for $380,000 minus about 22.75 of the land. Been for sale at this price for the last 12 years. And if you offer anything less it won’t work. Again that is CASH ONLY. I just can’t justify buying It would be nearly 200 years before ownership would be better than renting. And doctors tell me not to expect to live more than anther 30 years or so. Being 73 stilll lots of time. I need add that one previous house I rented in Costa Rica, two I rented in Nicaragua all remain empty. One for the lasst 6 years, and all at least 2 years. Landlords will not budge on rent. The last in Costa Rica wanted to raise my rent $100 a month. He has been living in Miami way too long. Top anyone will pay might be 100,000 colones ($161) a month but seldom over 80,000.

    Ah crime. I simply scare off robbers by responding in Russian, German, Arabic or Vietnamese and they give up and go after someone else.Or they simply been beggars.

33. Love this video. I’ve been researching for a few years and I am definitely not rich but I am looking for peace of mind away from the country I live in.

34. Stay away from paragon property I got fu#ked

35. What kind of cash does it take to relocate to such a country ? House purchase price and monthly bills ?

36. Really great advice. Thanks so much!

37. Great info. Thank you.

38. Be aware Costa Rica law system encourages squatters. I have been fighting for my home for a year and the system have not help me at all. The system remove all owners rights and gives your home to the squatters. Contracts don’t have any value in this judicial system

39. I am 8 years living here in CR. My advice: learn Spanish. The average time from when an expat arrives to when they get fed up and leave is roughly two years. Therefore you have a lot of grumpy expats running around CR. Learning Spanish gives you the ability to grow your friend circle and add in the locals, they are rarely grumpy and can offer so much.

40. I can totally agree 🙂 Especially the "learning Spanish" point. Your experience will be a million times better, if you learn at least the basics.

41. can you recommend a realtor?

42. Do you have any recommendations as to how to pick a honest realtor, lawyer in CR? Do you have any recommendations?

43. Very helpful!

44. Great Job!!! Thank You.. 🙂

45. I’ve only visited, but I fell in love with the People! They have a great attitude, and are so positive and laugh often. They will also Laugh at you if you do something dumb but it’s all good.

46. I pitch in about the crime issue. I agree 100% with you except for the break ins…hasn’t happened to us (yet), but from what expats tell me it’s more a matter of when than if.

47. Home break ins are terrible

48. Cant wait to visit!

49. Manana, manana…mas despacio, si? That’s my Spanish from my last class in 1967. Excellent advice. I suggest joining and subscribing to International Living; They have great resources for potential expats, and, given the lunatics now "running the U.S," you must at least consider leaving and taking your assets with you before they are confiscated by those Communists.