CR Dream Properties

WhatsApp

Journal

The Guanacaste Journal

Twenty years of answers to the questions buyers actually ask — title, taxes, water, rentals, and what living here is really like.

Buying in Costa Rica

Buying a House in Playa Carrillo & Sámara as a Foreigner

Can foreigners buy in Playa Carrillo or Sámara? Yes. A local broker explains titled land vs. the maritime zone, closing costs, taxes, HOAs and rental rules.

9 Oct 2026 · 6 min read

The Journal · MMV

Rentals & Investment

Costa Rica Residency Through Real Estate (Inversionista)

Buying property in Costa Rica can qualify you for Inversionista residency. Here's how the investor route works and what to confirm with an attorney.

2 Sep 2026 · 5 min read

Rentals & Investment

Property Management in Costa Rica: Cost & Why It Pays

Property management in Costa Rica runs about 15-25% of rental revenue. Here's what a good manager actually does and why, in Guanacaste, it pays for itself.

26 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

Rentals & Investment

Vacation Rental Income in Guanacaste: What Airbnb Earns

What does a Guanacaste vacation rental actually earn? An honest look at seasonality, gross vs net, ICT registration and 13% VAT from a local broker.

19 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

Rentals & Investment

Buying Land vs a Finished Home in Costa Rica: Which Is Right?

Land or a finished home in Guanacaste? An honest look at costs, timelines, building headaches and the real trade-offs from 20 years on the ground.

12 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Water in Costa Rica: Wells, ASADA & the Letter That Matters

In Guanacaste, water makes or breaks a lot. Here's how ASADA letters, wells and concesiones really work before you buy land in Costa Rica.

5 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Is It Safe to Buy Real Estate in Costa Rica? An Honest Answer

Yes — with a good lawyer, a title study and escrow. A 20-year Guanacaste broker explains how buying works and the real scams to avoid in 2026.

29 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Guanacaste Living

Living in Rural Guanacaste: Power, Internet, Water & Roads

The practical realities of living off the main road in Guanacaste — electricity, internet, water and those famous unpaved roads — from 20 years on the ground.

15 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Guanacaste Living

Retiring in Costa Rica: The Pensionado Visa & the Good Life

How the Pensionado retirement visa works, healthcare options, and why retirees choose Guanacaste — general guidance from a broker here since 2005.

1 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Guanacaste Living

The Real Cost of Living in Guanacaste, Costa Rica (2026)

What a month in Guanacaste actually costs in 2026 — from a lean local budget to a full imported-comfort lifestyle, by a broker who's lived here since 2005.

17 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Guanacaste Living

Best Beach Towns in Guanacaste: Sámara vs Nosara vs Tamarindo

A broker who's lived here 20 years compares Sámara, Nosara and Tamarindo for buyers — the honest trade-offs on price, roads, crowds and daily life.

3 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

7 Common Mistakes Foreign Buyers Make in Costa Rica

After 20 years in Guanacaste, here are 7 mistakes I watch foreign buyers make in Costa Rica, from skipping the title study to buying beach land blind.

20 May 2026 · 4 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in Costa Rica? Financing

Can foreigners get a Costa Rica mortgage? Rarely from a local bank. A broker explains the cash reality plus owner financing, developer terms, and HELOCs.

6 May 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

How Escrow Works When Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica

Never wire a seller directly in Costa Rica. A Guanacaste broker explains SUGEF-registered escrow, AML source-of-funds rules, and how your money stays safe.

22 Apr 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Buying Costa Rica Property Through a Corporation: SA or SRL?

Buy Costa Rica real estate in a corporation or your own name? A Guanacaste broker breaks down SA vs SRL, the real annual costs, and when each makes sense.

8 Apr 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

How to Buy Property in Costa Rica: Step-by-Step Guide

A Guanacaste broker walks you step by step through buying property in Costa Rica: the offer, escrow, due diligence, closing at the notary, and registration.

25 Mar 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Beachfront Costa Rica: Titled Land vs the Maritime Zone

The first 50m of Costa Rica's coast is public; the next 150m is leased concession land. A Guanacaste broker on what you can and can't own on the beach.

11 Mar 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Due Diligence in Costa Rica: The Title Study You Can't Skip

Skip the title study and you can buy a lien, a boundary fight or no water. A Guanacaste broker on the Registro Nacional checks your own lawyer must run.

25 Feb 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Property Taxes in Costa Rica: The Annual Bill & Luxury Tax

Costa Rica's annual property tax is just 0.25% of value—but the luxury-home tax catches owners off guard. A Guanacaste broker explains what you'll owe.

11 Feb 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Closing Costs: What a Foreign Buyer Really Pays

Closing costs in Costa Rica run about 4.5–6.5% of the price. A Guanacaste broker itemizes the transfer tax, stamps, notary and escrow—and who pays what.

28 Jan 2026 · 5 min read

Buying in Costa Rica

Can Foreigners Buy Property in Costa Rica? Yes—Here's How

Foreigners get the same full ownership rights as Costa Ricans—no residency needed. A Guanacaste broker explains title, corporations and the real steps.

14 Jan 2026 · 6 min read