Buying a second home, vacation property or full time residence in Costa Rica has never been easier.  I personally own a condo in Tamarindo and would be pleased to help you understand ownership in this pristine country.

Some interesting facts about Costa Rica include:

Costa Rica has been a democracy for more than 115 years. It is known as the Switzerland of Central America. It is the only country in the western hemisphere that does not have an army. In fact it abolished its army in 1949 and allocated the defense budget to education and health care, resulting in the highest literacy rate in the western hemisphere. At 96% Costa Rica has the second highest literacy rate in the world!

In a recent study of health systems around the world Costa Rica was ranked just above the United States. In fact, Costa Rica’s health care system is rated among the top in the world and it has become a leading destination in the world for cosmetic surgery and dental work. They have a lower infant mortality rate than the U.S. and Costa Ricans outlive Americans by 5 years on average.

CNBC calls Costa Rica “The Hottest Real Estate Market on the Planet!”

Fortune magazine ranked San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital, among its 25 best cities in the world to do business.

Foreign investors in Cost Rica have equal rights and laws to protect them. The regulations for conducting business in Costa Rica are the same for both local and foreign corporations, which can fully own and control local corporations, as well as real estate without any access limitations or restrictions.

Living up to it’s namesake as “The Switzerland of the Americas”, Costa Rica offers: asset protection from creditors, judgments, liens, bankruptcy and divorce; privacy from individuals and governments and fewer taxes.

There are NO capital gains taxes on the sale of property in Costa Rica. There is no income tax in Costa Rica on money earned outside the country by legal residents.

More social security checks go to Costa Rica than anywhere else in the world! Currently over 300,000 Americans are living in Costa Rica either full or part time.

You can live extremely comfortable on as little as $2000 a month in an extraordinarily beautiful country with gorgeous sunsets, endless beaches, unbelievable fishing, spectacular mountains and warm friendly people.

Property taxes are 0.25% of the recorded property value, which is not always based on real market value. Thereby your $250,000 luxury getaway is just $625 year in property taxes. Additionally, since the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is actually hurricane proof, insurance is for your luxury home is just as inexpensive as the taxes.

Ownership of real estate in Costa Rica includes a deed and title insurance; just like in the United States. The ownership of all properties is recorded in the National Registry, as are all liens, and encumbrances on properties.