Costa Rica

Why Invest in Costa Rica Real Estate

Land Values in Costa Rica have increased 32% annually since 1998…65% annually for properties which have a rental dwelling on the site.

Favorable tax system: Currently there are no capital gains taxes on the sale of property. Property taxes are currently at one quarter of one percent on your property value, substantially lower than what we are accustomed to. Costa Rica law allows for the same property ownership rights for foreigners as for Costa Rican citizens. Costa Rica, a democracy for more than 115 years, is a model of political stability. It is often referred to as “The Switzerland of the Americas.

Biodiversity

Costa Rica comprises only 0.01 percent of the earth’s landmass (less than 20,000 square miles), yet it is home to five percent of the planet’s animal and plant species. There are more species of plants and animals per acre in Costa Rica than anywhere in the world.

Biodiversity is evident everywhere: 10,000 species of plants, 850 species of birds, 800 species of butterflies, 500 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. You don’t have to travel far within the country to experience a different and unique ecosystem: mountains over 12,000 feet; active volcanoes; cloud and rain forests; waterfalls and tropical jungles; banana, sugar, pineapple, coffee, and papaya plantations; mangrove forest and coastal swamps; and beaches and marine environments that support a variety of water fowl, fish and crustaceans.

Approximately 30 percent of Costa Rica is protected as national parks, biological and archeological reserves, and wildlife refuges.

Geography

Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Nicaragua borders Costa Rica to the north and Panama borders to the south. The country has a total land area comparable to the size of West Virginia: approximately 51,000 sq. km with 1,290 sq. km of coastline.

However, in such a small area, you can find exotic beaches, national parks, volcanoes, rivers, two oceans, lakes, rain forest, indigenous peoples and a seemingly unlimited variety of flora and fauna.

Costa Rica’s year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes, cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold, especially during day, producing an ‘eternal spring’ feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. The rainy or green season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.

Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level). The Guanacaste Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Talamanca Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the entire length of the country. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country’s highest mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft.

The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract kayakers and rafters from all over the world who come to enjoy the magical scenery and adventure this pristine country offers.

Investment Overview

Virgin tropical rain forests, beautiful beaches, amazing wildlife, and the friendliest people you will ever find are just a few of the reasons that more and more travelers are turning to Costa Rica as their tropical destination. In addition, Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America, where family values and respect are forthright. The only country in Central America with a stable and long standing democracy, Costa Rica eliminated its army in 1949. The government has renounced aggressive militarism in order to use its resources in education, health care and services for the good of the entire population. Costa Rica therefore boasts a higher literacy and life expectancy rate than that of the United States, and is a peaceful progressive country where democracy and stability are hallmarks. Although it is a country of small farms and businesses, there resides an air of prosperity and a feeling of equality among all of its citizens.

Because of this peaceful and prosperous atmosphere, many people compare it to the United States of 30 years ago when life was not hurried, not crowded and thus unspoiled. The Costa Rican government goes to great lengths to encourage investment within its borders. It offers up a host of incentives to investors such as no capital gains taxes on real estate, minimal business taxes, and very low property taxes. As a result, many companies have chosen Costa Rica as an investment site. Companies such as Siemens are leading the way in the implementation of the infrastructure needed to make Costa Rica the “Silicon Valley of the Americas,” and computer giant, Intel has made the central valley of San Jose its new chip making headquarters. Intel’s investment in Costa Rica represents the largest ever made in a developing country and the results have been tremendous thus far. Also facilitating business and leisure in Costa Rica is the increased air travel both within the country and internationally. International flights are continually opening and expanding everyday and the newly inaugurated International Airport welcomes all visitors.

In addition, with the opening to international flights at the Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, the northern region of Guanacaste is witnessing astounding growth in investment over the past 2 years. Costa Rica is one of the best places on earth to live and visit due to the excellent quality of life. This country boasts a fantastic climate, lush natural beauty, and limitless activities to keep busy. Not only does Costa Rica possess Central America’s finest and most advanced telecommunications infrastructure, but housing is affordable and residents benefit from an inexpensive medical system; (thousands of Americans come to Costa Rica each year for treatment, surgery, and recovery as costs are oftentimes less than have of comparable procedures in the USA).

In short, this beautiful country has the warmth and flavor of Mexico-without the anti-Americanism- the physical beauty of Guatemala- without a large military presence- the sophistication of Brazil-without the abject poverty or violent crime, more winter sunshine than Florida or Hawaii, and, presently less people to share it with. The future is clear. As we continue to move towards a more global community, Costa Rica stands out as one of the last unspoiled, pristine locations in the world. At the world summit on sustainable development held this year in South Africa, Costa Rica is being presented to the world as an example on how to encourage healthy growth and economic prosperity while embracing and protecting all the natural beauty which has made this such a popular and unique destination. The investment atmosphere in Costa Rica is a model for other developing countries to envy. According to a survey in the Robb Report of potential foreign investment/retirement areas, Costa Rica surpasses all countries, including Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Australia, and Greece. It is not surprising that there are more Americans, Canadians, and Europeans living in Costa Rica than any other country in Latin America.

Locations

Discover the areas surrounding the South Pacific Region

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