Short answer: yes, and the process is more straightforward than most people expect.

Costa Rica’s legal framework for foreign property ownership is among the most transparent in Latin America. U.S. citizens can purchase, hold title, and sell property under the same laws and rights as Costa Rican nationals. There are no restrictions based on citizenship, no required residency status, and no mandatory local partner.

Fee-simple title is the standard.

Most residential and investment properties in Costa Rica are sold with fee-simple title, meaning the buyer has full, unconditional ownership of the land and any structures. Title is registered in the National Public Registry, which is publicly searchable and legally binding. A qualified local attorney – which TRREG can connect you with – will conduct a thorough title search prior to closing.

There are a few property types that require more due diligence.

Maritime zone properties – those within 200 meters of the ocean – are governed by separate concession laws rather than fee-simple title. These require deeper legal review and often come with their own set of requirements. TRREG works specifically with buyers navigating these distinctions so nothing surprises you mid-transaction.

You don’t need to be a resident to own.

Many Costa Rica property owners are not full-time residents. They own second homes, investment rentals, or land for future development – all while maintaining their primary residence in the United States. Residency is a separate legal path that some buyers eventually pursue, but it is not a prerequisite for owning property.

Tiffany Russell Group