International investments: Costa Rica?

Question

Hi all!

I was wondering if anyone has had experience in investing in Costa Rica.

I fell in love with Jaco and Dominical and would like to buy a house there that I can Airbnb. I have a couple of friends that live in the area that can manage my property. The housing in Costa Rica isn't super cheap considering it's in Central America, but it's a beach paradise!

Any advice with international housing investments?

William Robison · Answer

Hello Sara

The discouragement is typical, even from many real estate agents in Costa Rica.  Most of this is due to several inefficient elements in the entire region as a whole.  I am working on a few projects that are structured and ultimately managed through USA and UK management systems.  This greatly improves marketing and management, which are fundamental to the success of an investment in Costa Rica.

Jaco and Dominical are quite different, even as they are in the same region, kilometers apart.  Have you given this idea more consideration?  Happy to share about our current and future projects.

Mike Lambert · Answer

@Sara Cordero

It's difficult to give advice on international real estate investments because it's so general. I could write a whole book on that topic. I've responded to countless posts on international real estate investments including in Costa Rica so feel feel free to check them out through my profile.

One of the main advice for an investor is "don't fall in love with a property". The same goes for a city or a country.

If you love Jaco and Dominical and want to have a house there that you can use for yourself part of the time and rent short-term the rest of the time, that's absolutely doable.

If you look at it at a pure investment, your investment returns won't be all that great. There are many other places and countries (including some with beautiful beaches) that will give you a much higher return.