Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Costa Rica Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Costa Rica Property Pack
This article breaks down the current housing prices in Costa Rica so you can understand what properties actually cost in 2026.
We constantly update this blog post with fresh data from authoritative sources to give you the most accurate picture of the Costa Rica real estate market.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Costa Rica.
Insights
- Costa Rica apartments cost around $2,040 per square meter on average, which is roughly 60% more expensive than houses at $1,270 per square meter in the same market.
- Guanacaste province leads Costa Rica property prices at nearly $3,000 per square meter for apartments, while Limon stays the most affordable at around $980 per square meter for houses.
- San Jose apartments jumped over 16% in value year-over-year, making the capital one of the fastest-appreciating residential markets in Costa Rica in 2025.
- Buyers in Costa Rica typically negotiate prices down by 7% from listing prices, with discounts ranging from 3% to 12% depending on property condition and payment terms.
- New construction in Costa Rica commands a 20% to 30% premium over existing homes, with coastal areas seeing the highest markup due to modern amenities and rental income potential.
- Over the past decade, Costa Rica property prices have risen roughly 60% in local currency, but only about 35% in real terms after accounting for inflation.
- Entry-level homes in Costa Rica start around $95,000 to $130,000 for older condos in practical areas like Cartago or Alajuela, making homeownership accessible for budget-conscious buyers.
- Luxury villas in Costa Rica's Guanacaste beach communities like Tamarindo and Nosara typically range from $1.2 million to $2 million for properties with ocean views and pools.
What is the average housing price in Costa Rica in 2026?
The median housing price in Costa Rica gives you a more realistic picture than the average because it shows what a typical buyer actually pays, without being skewed upward by expensive luxury villas and beachfront properties.
We are writing this as of the first half of 2026 using the latest data collected from authoritative sources including the Central Bank of Costa Rica and Global Property Guide, all of which we manually verified.
The median housing price in Costa Rica in 2026 is approximately 110 million colones, which converts to around $220,000 or about €187,000. The average housing price in Costa Rica in 2026 sits higher at roughly 165 million colones, or about $330,000 (€280,000), because luxury coastal properties pull this number up.
About 80% of residential properties in Costa Rica in 2026 fall within a price range of 60 million to 325 million colones, which translates to $120,000 to $650,000 or €102,000 to €551,000.
A realistic entry-level budget in Costa Rica in 2026 would be around 48 to 65 million colones ($95,000 to $130,000 or €81,000 to €110,000), which could get you an older 55 to 70 square meter condo in a practical area like Cartago city or parts of Alajuela.
Luxury properties in Costa Rica in 2026 typically range from 600 million to 1 billion colones ($1.2 million to $2 million or €1 million to €1.7 million), which would buy you a modern 250 to 400 square meter villa with a pool and ocean views in prime areas like Tamarindo or high-end Escazu.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Costa Rica.
Are Costa Rica property listing prices close to the actual sale price in 2026?
In Costa Rica in 2026, closed sale prices typically land about 7% below the original listing price, with most negotiations falling somewhere between 3% and 12% off the asking price.
This gap exists because Costa Rica sellers often list properties high to leave room for negotiation, especially when pricing in US dollars to attract international buyers. The discount tends to be larger for properties that have sat on the market for a while, need visible repairs, or when buyers come with cash and can close quickly.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Costa Rica
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
What is the price per sq m or per sq ft for properties in Costa Rica in 2026?
As of early 2026, the median price for apartments in Costa Rica is around 1,020,000 colones per square meter ($2,040/sqm or €1,730/sqm), while houses come in lower at about 636,000 colones per square meter ($1,270/sqm or €1,080/sqm). In terms of square feet, that works out to roughly $190 per sqft for apartments and $118 per sqft for houses.
Apartments in Costa Rica in 2026 have the highest price per square meter because they are concentrated in desirable urban areas and beach towns with strong rental demand, while rural houses in provinces like Limon have the lowest prices due to weaker buyer interest and infrastructure.
The highest prices per square meter in Costa Rica in 2026 are found in Tamarindo and Escazu, where you can expect to pay 1.25 million to 2.5 million colones per sqm ($2,500 to $5,000). The lowest prices are in areas like Limon and outer metro zones, where prices drop to around 550,000 to 650,000 colones per sqm ($1,100 to $1,300).
How have property prices evolved in Costa Rica?
Compared to one year ago, Costa Rica property prices in 2026 have risen by approximately 7% in nominal terms, and about the same in real terms since inflation has been near zero. This increase is driven by continued demand from digital nomads, retirees, and remote workers seeking lifestyle properties in the Central Valley and beach areas.
Compared to ten years ago, Costa Rica property prices have increased roughly 60% in local currency terms, or about 40% when measured in US dollars. The main drivers have been the growth of tourism-linked short-term rentals and a post-pandemic wave of international buyers relocating for quality of life.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the latest updates on property price variations in Costa Rica.
Finally, if you want to know whether now is a good time to buy a property there, you can check our pack covering everything there is to know about the housing market in Costa Rica.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Costa Rica versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How do prices vary by housing type in Costa Rica in 2026?
The Costa Rica property market in 2026 breaks down roughly as follows: apartments and condos make up about 45% of listings, single-family houses account for 40%, townhomes represent 8%, luxury villas about 4%, small multifamily buildings 2%, and off-plan developments around 1%.
Average prices by property type in Costa Rica as of the first half of 2026 look like this: apartments and condos average around 90 million colones ($180,000 or €153,000), houses sit at about 160 million colones ($320,000 or €272,000), townhomes come in at roughly 125 million colones ($250,000 or €212,000), luxury villas start around 600 million colones ($1.2 million or €1 million), and small multifamily properties average about 225 million colones ($450,000 or €382,000). Off-plan condo units typically list around 110 million colones ($220,000 or €187,000).
If you want to know more, you should read our dedicated analyses:
How do property prices compare between existing and new homes in Costa Rica in 2026?
New construction in Costa Rica in 2026 typically costs about 20% more than comparable existing homes in the Central Valley, and 25% to 30% more in prime coastal markets like Guanacaste and Puntarenas.
This premium exists because new builds come with modern amenities, better security features, energy-efficient systems, and the construction costs for skilled labor and permits remain high in Costa Rica.
Buying real estate in Costa Rica can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
How do property prices vary by neighborhood in Costa Rica in 2026?
Escazu is one of the most popular expat neighborhoods in Costa Rica, known for international schools, upscale shopping, and excellent healthcare access. Property prices in Escazu in 2026 range from 180 million to 450 million colones ($360,000 to $900,000 or €305,000 to €764,000) because it combines convenience with a high standard of living that appeals to foreign buyers.
Santa Ana and the Lindora corridor offer newer gated communities with modern townhomes and family-friendly amenities, making it a favorite for professionals working in nearby business districts. Prices in Santa Ana in 2026 typically range from 150 million to 400 million colones ($300,000 to $800,000 or €255,000 to €679,000), slightly lower than Escazu but with similar quality of life.
Tamarindo in Guanacaste is the premier beach destination for property buyers in Costa Rica, offering everything from beachfront condos to hillside villas with ocean views. Prices in Tamarindo in 2026 range widely from 175 million to 900 million colones ($350,000 to $1.8 million or €297,000 to €1.53 million) depending on proximity to the beach and rental income potential.
You will find a much more detailed analysis by areas in our property pack about Costa Rica. Meanwhile, here is a quick summary table we have made so you can understand how prices change across areas:
| Neighborhood | Type | Price Range | Price per sqm | Price per sqft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escazu | Expat / Schools | ₡180M-₡450M ($360k-$900k) | ₡1.1M-₡2.1M ($2,200-$4,200) | ₡102k-₡195k ($204-$390) |
| Santa Ana | Commute / Gated | ₡150M-₡400M ($300k-$800k) | ₡950k-₡1.8M ($1,900-$3,600) | ₡88k-₡167k ($176-$334) |
| Lindora | Premium / Gated | ₡180M-₡500M ($360k-$1M) | ₡1.2M-₡2M ($2,400-$4,000) | ₡111k-₡186k ($223-$372) |
| Rohrmoser / La Sabana | Walkable / Urban | ₡120M-₡300M ($240k-$600k) | ₡950k-₡1.6M ($1,900-$3,200) | ₡88k-₡149k ($176-$297) |
| Curridabat | Family / Schools | ₡110M-₡280M ($220k-$560k) | ₡850k-₡1.5M ($1,700-$3,000) | ₡79k-₡139k ($158-$279) |
| Moravia / Guadalupe | Value / Commute | ₡75M-₡180M ($150k-$360k) | ₡650k-₡1.1M ($1,300-$2,200) | ₡60k-₡102k ($121-$204) |
| Belen (Heredia) | Jobs / Commute | ₡130M-₡320M ($260k-$640k) | ₡850k-₡1.5M ($1,700-$3,000) | ₡79k-₡139k ($158-$279) |
| Atenas | Expat / Quiet | ₡90M-₡250M ($180k-$500k) | ₡600k-₡1.2M ($1,200-$2,400) | ₡56k-₡111k ($111-$223) |
| Cartago City | Budget / Value | ₡55M-₡140M ($110k-$280k) | ₡550k-₡950k ($1,100-$1,900) | ₡51k-₡88k ($102-$176) |
| Jaco | Beach / Rentals | ₡125M-₡450M ($250k-$900k) | ₡900k-₡1.8M ($1,800-$3,600) | ₡84k-₡167k ($167-$334) |
| Tamarindo | Beach / Premium | ₡175M-₡900M ($350k-$1.8M) | ₡1.25M-₡2.5M ($2,500-$5,000) | ₡116k-₡232k ($232-$465) |
| Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) | Beach / Niche | ₡90M-₡350M ($180k-$700k) | ₡650k-₡1.6M ($1,300-$3,200) | ₡60k-₡149k ($121-$297) |
How much more do you pay for properties in Costa Rica when you include renovation work, taxes, and fees?
When you add up closing costs, taxes, and typical renovation expenses in Costa Rica in 2026, buyers should expect to pay roughly 10% to 30% above the purchase price depending on the property's condition.
If you buy a property around $200,000 (100 million colones) in Costa Rica, you would pay approximately $7,500 in closing costs (transfer tax, legal, and notary fees at 3.75%) plus around $12,000 to $30,000 for light to moderate renovation work. That brings your total to roughly $220,000 to $237,000 all-in.
For a property around $500,000 (250 million colones) in Costa Rica, closing costs would be about $18,750, and renovation could add $25,000 to $75,000 depending on what work is needed. Your total all-in cost would range from approximately $545,000 to $595,000.
If you purchase a $1,000,000 property (500 million colones) in Costa Rica, expect closing costs near $37,500 and renovation expenses anywhere from $40,000 to $250,000 for coastal homes that may need weather-related upgrades. That means your total investment could reach $1.08 million to $1.29 million.
By the way, we keep updated a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees to factor in the total buying cost in Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, here is a detailed table of the additional expenses you may have to pay when buying a new property in Costa Rica
| Expense | Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Property Transfer Tax | Tax | 1.5% of the property price. This is a mandatory government tax paid at closing. For a $300,000 home, expect to pay around $4,500 (₡2.25M). |
| Legal Fees | Fee | Approximately 1.25% of the property price. This covers the attorney who handles title verification and contract preparation. For a $300,000 property, budget around $3,750 (₡1.88M). |
| Notary Fees | Fee | About 1% of the property price. The notary public formalizes the transaction and registers it with the National Registry. On a $300,000 purchase, this is roughly $3,000 (₡1.5M). |
| Inspection and Due Diligence | Service | ₡250,000 to ₡1,500,000 ($500 to $3,000). This includes property inspections, title searches, and any survey work needed before closing. |
| Light Renovation | Renovation | 4% to 6% of purchase price. Covers minor updates like fresh paint, new appliances, and basic repairs. On a $200,000 home, expect $8,000 to $12,000 (₡4M to ₡6M). |
| Moderate Renovation | Renovation | 10% to 18% of purchase price. Includes updating kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and systems. For a $300,000 property, budget $30,000 to $54,000 (₡15M to ₡27M). |
| Major Renovation | Renovation | 25% to 40% of purchase price. Required for older properties needing structural work, full system replacements, or complete modernization. On a $400,000 home, this could mean $100,000 to $160,000 (₡50M to ₡80M). |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Costa Rica compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What properties can you buy in Costa Rica in 2026 with different budgets?
With $100,000 in Costa Rica in 2026, your options are limited but available: you could find a 55 square meter older condo in Cartago city, a 65 square meter basic apartment in non-prime Alajuela, or a small 70 to 90 square meter simple house in an outer metro area or secondary town, all existing properties that may need some updates.
With $200,000 in Costa Rica in 2026, you could purchase an 85 square meter apartment in Moravia or Guadalupe, a 110 square meter small house in a non-trophy area of Atenas, or a 75 to 90 square meter apartment in an older Rohrmoser building near La Sabana park.
With $300,000 in Costa Rica in 2026, you have solid options including a 140 square meter family house in the Belen area of Heredia, a 110 square meter newer condo in Curridabat, or a 100 square meter beach condo in Jaco that is not directly on the waterfront.
With $500,000 in Costa Rica in 2026, you enter the premium market and could buy a 180 to 220 square meter gated community house in Santa Ana, a 160 to 200 square meter modern condo in Escazu, or a 180 to 250 square meter beach-area home in the Jaco or Herradura corridor.
With $1,000,000 in Costa Rica in 2026, you access luxury properties such as a 300 to 400 square meter house in Escazu's top enclaves, a 250 to 350 square meter high-end home in Lindora, or a 250 to 400 square meter ocean-view home in the Tamarindo area of Guanacaste.
With $2,000,000 in Costa Rica in 2026, you enter the trophy property market which is active in top coastal and Central Valley locations: options include a 400 to 600 square meter luxury villa in Tamarindo or Nosara with ocean views, a 350 to 500 square meter designer home in prime Escazu, or a 500+ square meter estate property in the Santa Ana or Lindora premium corridor, all new construction with high-end finishes.
If you need a more detailed analysis, we have a blog article detailing what you can buy at different budget levels in Costa Rica.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Costa Rica, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) | The official central bank of Costa Rica and the authoritative source for exchange rates and macroeconomic data. | We used the BCCR reference exchange rate to convert all prices between Costa Rican colones and US dollars. We treated this as our anchor for January 2026 currency conversions. |
| European Central Bank (ECB) | The official reference for euro exchange rates used by financial institutions across Europe. | We used the ECB EUR/USD rate to convert dollar prices to euros. We combined this with the BCCR rate to derive an implied colon-to-euro conversion. |
| Global Property Guide - Price History | A respected international property research publisher that aggregates asking price data from Encuentra24 across Costa Rica provinces. | We extracted province-level asking prices per square meter for apartments and houses. We used this data to calculate national median and average price estimates. |
| Global Property Guide - Buying Guide | Provides standardized transaction cost breakdowns citing professional sources like PwC. | We sourced the buyer-side cost stack including transfer tax, legal fees, and notary fees. We applied these percentages to calculate all-in purchase costs for our worked examples. |
| FRED (St. Louis Fed) - Costa Rica Inflation | Republishes World Bank inflation data in a transparent, downloadable format for independent verification. | We used the annual inflation series to calculate 10-year cumulative inflation. We applied this to convert nominal price changes into real, inflation-adjusted figures. |
| BCCR Geographic Information System | Official Costa Rica government portal for regional economic indicators including consumer price data. | We cross-referenced recent inflation trends to confirm near-zero inflation in 2025. We used this to validate that nominal and real price changes are similar for recent periods. |
| Encuentra24 | The largest property listing platform in Costa Rica with comprehensive coverage across all provinces. | We used Encuentra24 as the underlying data source (via Global Property Guide) for asking prices. We analyzed listing distributions to estimate market breakdown by property type. |
| Plusvalia Costa Rica | Major regional real estate portal with strong Central America coverage and active Costa Rica listings. | We cross-referenced listing prices against Encuentra24 data for validation. We used neighborhood-level listings to verify price ranges in specific areas. |
| PwC (via Global Property Guide) | Global professional services firm with established real estate tax and transaction cost expertise. | We relied on PwC-sourced data for the closing cost percentages in Costa Rica. We applied their transfer tax, legal, and notary fee estimates to our purchase scenarios. |
| World Bank | International institution providing standardized economic indicators across countries including inflation data. | We used World Bank consumer price index data (via FRED) for inflation calculations. We estimated 10-year cumulative inflation at approximately 17% for Costa Rica. |
| Numbeo | Crowd-sourced cost of living database with property price inputs from residents and visitors. | We used Numbeo as a secondary reference to validate price-per-square-meter ranges. We compared their user-reported data against our primary listing-based sources. |
| CIA World Factbook | US government reference providing reliable country-level economic and demographic data. | We referenced Costa Rica economic context including GDP and urbanization trends. We used this background to explain demand drivers in the property market. |
| INEC Costa Rica | The official national statistics institute of Costa Rica responsible for census and economic surveys. | We referenced INEC data for population distribution and housing stock context. We used their regional data to understand where housing demand concentrates. |
| CFIA (Costa Rica College of Engineers and Architects) | Professional body that tracks construction permits and building activity across Costa Rica. | We used CFIA permit data to understand new construction supply trends. We factored this into our estimates of the new vs. existing price premium. |
| Ministry of Finance Costa Rica | Official government source for tax regulations including property transfer taxes. | We verified the 1.5% property transfer tax rate against official documentation. We confirmed this rate applies to our closing cost calculations. |
| National Registry of Costa Rica | Official registry where all property transactions are recorded and titles verified. | We referenced the National Registry process to understand title verification requirements. We included registry-related fees in our closing cost estimates. |
| Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) | Government agency tracking tourism arrivals and vacation rental market trends. | We used ICT tourism data to explain demand in beach markets like Guanacaste. We connected rental income potential to higher coastal property prices. |
| Costa Rica Real Estate | Established brokerage with decades of market experience catering to international buyers. | We reviewed their listings to validate price ranges in expat-focused neighborhoods. We used their market commentary to understand negotiation patterns. |
| Sotheby's International Realty Costa Rica | Premium brokerage network with detailed luxury property listings and market insights. | We analyzed their luxury segment listings to establish the high-end price ceiling. We used their data to validate our $1M+ property examples. |
| Coldwell Banker Costa Rica | Major international brokerage franchise with comprehensive Costa Rica market coverage. | We cross-referenced their neighborhood listings against our price ranges. We validated per-square-meter pricing in key areas like Escazu and Santa Ana. |
| RE/MAX Costa Rica | International real estate franchise with extensive residential listings across Costa Rica. | We reviewed their property inventory to verify market breakdown by type. We used their data to confirm availability at different price points. |
| Airbnb | Leading short-term rental platform indicating investment property demand in tourist areas. | We analyzed Airbnb density in coastal areas to explain premium pricing. We connected short-term rental potential to higher per-square-meter values. |
| XE Currency Converter | Widely used currency conversion tool for verifying exchange rates. | We used XE as a secondary check against BCCR and ECB official rates. We confirmed our conversion anchors matched market rates. |
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Costa Rica
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.