Documents needed to rent in Costa Rica

[Val Johnson]

I’ve read that you need to have certain documents to rent long-term in Costa Rica. My wife and I and disabled daughter are from the states, and we’re exploring the possibility of retiring to Costa Rica, but want to rent (as advised) for a while in different places to find what we need and like. What documents do we need to bring in order to facilitate renting?

[JASON HOLLAND]

Hi Val,

Renting while you explore the country is a great idea!

I’ve rented several houses long-term and the only documents I ever needed to provide was my passport – I just gave a copy of the picture page to the landlord. I did also sign a lease that outlined the monthly payment, what furnishings were provided, the deposit, and other terms. It’s also standard to give one month’s rent as a deposit when you move in, refundable when you move out.

[Val Johnson]

Very helpful. As a first-time visitor to Costa Rica, would I find it best to go through a real estate agent? Or just hire a taxi or get on a bus and go looking? I have a few areas I’m interested in (Central Valley), but beyond that, nothing specific.

[Val Johnson]

One other question. If my family and I decide to live in Costa Rica, how do we spend 8 to 12 months testing out various places in Costa Rica when we have to leave every 90 days? I’ve read that Costa Rica is cracking down on “perpetual tourists” who leave when they’re supposed to but then return shortly to get a new visa. After a couple of times doing that, I’m not sure we’ll be let back into the country.

[JASON HOLLAND]

Hi Val,

The best way, at least for your first place, is to go through a real estate agent. You tell them your needs and they’ll be able to show you several properties. For the Central Valley you might contact http://www.american-european.net. Once you’re on the ground you can start asking around, often you get better deals through networking with expats and locals. The layout of towns and the countryside in the Central Valley is quite spread out, mountainous, and rural, which makes it hard to taxi or bus around looking for rentals.

There are always rumors the the govt. will crack down on perpetual tourists but so far nothing has happened. There is no law against leaving the country and re-entering to renew your tourist visa. It’s true that sometimes the border officials will give you a stern look or a talking to. Sometimes they might even tell you to wait three hours before you can re-enter. But as long as you have proof of onward travel out of Costa Rica (plane or bus ticket) within 90 days they legally have to let you in. Also, if you’ve only been there for a year, they usually don’t hassle you. It’s more people who have been in CR several years but have not sought residence.

[Val Johnson]

Thanks, Jason. My wife, daughter, and I went to Costa Rica shortly after your last post. Your advice was sound. We found a nice, secure condo in Heredia to stay at, and I left my wife and daughter there with no qualms while I came back to work. A real estate agent and a passport did the trick. We actually found the place at the direction of one real estate agent we contacted in Belen. We didn’t like that property, but she suggested looking at the condos. Once there, the agent for the condos showed up, and that was that.

We’ll be leaving within the 90 days, but will likely be returning to Costa Rica next summer. We’ll be looking at some other place to try out. Any suggestions for people or organizations to contact in San Ramon, Grecia, and the Lake Arenal area?

[JASON HOLLAND]

Hi Val,

Great to hear about your time in Heredia. It’s a beautiful area, especially in the countryside and then you have the big city conveniences close by.

As far as contacts in those new places, I have some suggestions.

Arenal – Bob Lux at http://www.moranlakearenal.com sells real estate but also has a rental agency. Rentals are in short supply here, so reserve as early as you can. Also, Michael Karon at http://lakearenalrealestate.com

San Ramon – the folks from http://www.godutchrealty.com (real estate agency but they also feature rentals). And you might also contact Paul and Gloria from http://www.retireforlessincostarica.com (expats who speak at IL events. They don’t sell real estate but live in San Ramon)

Grecia – Cheryl at http://www.costaricalandtoday.com/ and the team at http://www.godutchrealty.com

Once you decide where you’re going next summer, let me know and I can send over some tips and expat hangouts for the community.

[Val Johnson]

Wonderful! Mucho Gracias! I wonder if you might also have a suggestion for a contact in the Cartago area. Someone also recommended Liberia, but I wonder about the heat. Heredia has proved to be nice in a lot a ways, but a bit warm at times. That’s why we’re looking at places a little higher in elevation.

[JASON HOLLAND]

For Cartago, you could try the folks at Go Dutch Realty – they’re active throughout the Central Valley. Also, http://www.American-European.net.

Liberia, which is the capital of the Guanacaste province, is a good sized city about an hour inland. Not many expats live there. But they head there for shopping, medical care (large hospitals and clinics), and the international airport. Most expats live on the coast, in towns like Playas del Coco, Tamarindo, Samara, etc. It is very hot and dry.

[Retire Overseas Academy]

Thank you. Just the information I needed. I’ll scratch Liberia from my list of possibilities. We’ll be visiting the Cartago area next weekend.

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