Who this is for: Senior homeowners in Costa Rica, absentee owners, and adult children in the U.S. or Canada keeping an eye on a parent’s home from afar. What this solves: Small issues that become expensive repairs, safety risks, and the stress of not knowing what condition a home is really in.When to reach out: When a property is occupied by an older adult, sits empty part of the year, or depends on vendors you cannot easily supervise. A ceiling stain in May can become roof d

Quick Summary Who this is for: Senior expats (or their adult children) who own property in Guanacaste and need reliable, bilingual oversight — whether they live here full-time, part of the year, or manage from abroad. What problem this solves: You own a home in Costa Rica but can't — or shouldn't have to — manage vendors, maintenance emergencies, staff, and compliance alone. This article explains what professional property management actually looks like and when it makes se

Costa Rica has become one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America for foreign real estate investment. Democratic stability, strong legal institutions, and a robust system for the protection of private property have positioned the country as a reliable jurisdiction for international investors. From a legal standpoint, Costa Rica offers a particularly favorable framework for foreign individuals seeking to acquire real estate. Understanding Legal Framework for Forei

As someone who has helped dozens of expat families navigate Costa Rica's bureaucracy, I can tell you: DIMEX renewal is one of the most common sources of stress I see—and it's 100% preventable with the right information. I asked my trusted legal partner, Lic. Oscar Andrés López Hernández from Expat Legal Advisors, to break down everything you need to know. This is the guide I wish every expat had.

The gardener who shows up three times then disappears. The pool guy who charges double what the neighbors pay. The housekeeper with "emergency family situations" every other week. The contractor whose "two-week project" enters month four with no end in sight. If you're an expat homeowner in Costa Rica, you've either experienced this nightmare yourself or heard horror stories from other expats at the weekly coffee meetup. After years of managing luxury properties for British E

Living the Pura Vida lifestyle in Costa Rica comes with many perks, but it's important for expats to understand their tax obligations. Costa Rica's tax system is quite unique. It follows a territorial tax principle, meaning only income earned within Costa Rica is subject to taxation. Below we break down the key aspects of Costa Rican taxes for individuals and businesses, annual filing duties, and tips to stay compliant while enjoying paradise. Costa Rica's Territorial Tax Sys

The era of perpetual tourism is ending – here's what every expat needs to know about Costa Rica's biggest immigration overhaul in decades. Expert Collaboration: This comprehensive immigration analysis was developed in partnership with William 'Skip' Licht (Costa Rica immigration specialist, WhatsApp: 1-754-423-8823 , costaricagoodnews@gmail.com ) and Oscar Hernandez of Expat Legal Advisors (Local: +506 8543-7650 , legal@expatlegaladvisors.com ), ensuring you receive accurat

In Costa Rica, as in many other jurisdictions, one of the available pathways to obtain lawful residency is through investment -either by acquiring real estate or by purchasing certain qualifying assets. For the purposes of this analysis, we will focus specifically on real estate acquisitions. Thanks to the tax incentives established under the “Ley para la atracción de inversionistas, rentistas y pensionados” (Law No. 9996), this option has become even more appealing, as it no

One of the most common questions I receive from potential clients considering relocation to Costa Rica involves residency requirements and tax benefits. With the upcoming expiration of Law No. 9996's benefits in July 2026, understanding the legal implications has never been more important. I'm honored to share this expert legal analysis written by Lic. Oscar Andrés López Hernández , Attorney-at-Law with Expat Legal Advisors , a law firm specializing in immigration, real esta