Can you buy a home in Costa Rica without flying down for the closing? Yes — foreigners buy remotely all the time, with the same full ownership rights as citizens. With the right professionals and process, you can complete a purchase securely from the US, Canada or anywhere. Here’s how.
First: Foreigners Have Full Ownership Rights
Costa Rica places no restrictions on foreign ownership of titled property — you don’t need residency or citizenship to buy or hold real estate. That’s what makes remote purchasing straightforward.
Step-by-Step: Buying From Abroad
- Work with a reputable agent who can send detailed photos, video walkthroughs and live video tours of shortlisted properties.
- Make an offer & sign electronically. Purchase-sale agreements can be executed remotely.
- Use registered escrow. Never wire funds to a seller directly — funds go into a licensed escrow account regulated for anti-money-laundering compliance.
- Independent attorney does due diligence: confirms clear title in the National Registry (folio real), checks liens/taxes, verifies boundaries (plano catastrado) and water rights.
- Grant a Power of Attorney (POA): the most common tool for remote closings — you authorize your attorney (or a trusted representative) to sign the transfer deed on your behalf before the notary.
- Close & register: the notary executes the deed and registers the transfer; escrow releases funds to the seller.
The Power of Attorney — Your Key Tool
A properly drafted POA lets your Costa Rican attorney complete the closing without you physically present. You sign it in front of a notary at home, get it apostilled, and send it down. It should be specific to this transaction and revoked afterward.
Protecting Yourself Remotely
- Hire your own attorney — independent from the seller and the agent.
- Insist on escrow for every dollar.
- Get a full title search and, for land, a survey and water letter.
- Video-tour the actual property (not just listing photos) and, if possible, have a trusted person do an in-person look.
Buying from overseas? Browse listings and contact us — we handle remote buyers regularly and coordinate attorneys and escrow for a secure closing.