San Rafael
Escazu, Costa Rica
Guide Price
$540,000
$540,000 USD · $351/sqft
PROPERTY TYPE
Condo
BEDROOMS
3
BATHROOMS
3
SIZE
1539 sq ft
Description
2 bedrooms Luxury apartment in the best area of ??Escazú. Cortijo Los Laureles, is the Residential Condominium safe, exclusive and luxurious, of all San Jose, Costa ...
Location
Open in Google MapsLiving in Escazu
Known as the 'Beverly Hills of Costa Rica,' this upscale suburb just outside San Jose is the most Americanized area in the country, with international shopping malls, excellent private hospitals, and gated communities. English is widely spoken thanks to the large expat population, and the year-round climate (85F days, 60F nights) is ideal. The convenience comes at a premium -- it's one of Costa Rica's most expensive areas, and some expats find it lacks authentic local culture.
Howler monkeys as your morning alarm, surfing before breakfast, and a country that dissolved its army in 1948 so it could spend the money on rainforests and schools instead.
Visa
Digital Nomad Visa — requires $3,000/mo income ($4,000 for families). Valid 1 year, renewable once. Tax-exempt on foreign income. Rentista Visa — for those with $2,500/mo passive income or $60,000 deposit. Pensionado Visa — for retirees with $1,000+/mo pension. Both lead to permanent residency after 3 years.
Learn more: Digital Nomad Visas: Where You Can Live & Work in 2026→Key Fact
Costa Rica has excellent universal healthcare (ranked above the US by WHO) and no military — the budget goes to education and environment instead. The "Pura Vida" lifestyle is real but imported goods and cars are expensive due to import taxes.
Learn more: Health Insurance for Americans Living Abroad→Costa Rica at a glance
How Costa Rica scores for American expats
Cost of buying in Costa Rica
Estimated fees and ongoing costs for this property
Closing Costs
4-6% of purchase price
- ·Transfer tax: 1.5%
- ·Legal fees: 1-1.5%
- ·Stamps and registration: 0.5-1%
- ·Notary: included in legal fees
Annual Costs
Property Tax
0.25% of registered value (very low)
Insurance
$300-800/yr
HOA / Condo Fees
$100-400/mo for condos
Good to Know
Agent Fees
Seller pays (5%)
Foreign Buyer Note
Foreigners have same property rights as citizens. Maritime zone (first 200m from high tide) requires concession, not ownership.
Legal help in Costa Rica
Hire your own attorney — not the seller's. We'll match you with a vetted local lawyer.
Need a local attorney in Costa Rica?
We'll connect you with an independent, English-speaking real estate attorney experienced with foreign buyers. Not the seller's lawyer — yours.
Next steps for moving to Costa Rica
Interested in this property? Here's how to move forward.
Understand the buying rules
Foreign ownership laws vary wildly by country. Some welcome you, others restrict or ban foreign buyers entirely.
Sort out your visa
Owning property doesn't give you the right to live there. Research residency options before you buy.
Plan your finances
Understand currency risk, international wire transfers, and whether you can get a local mortgage.
Know your tax obligations
US citizens are taxed on worldwide income. You'll need to file US taxes from abroad and may owe local taxes too.
Set up healthcare
Medicare doesn't cover you overseas. You'll need international health insurance or a local plan.
Run the full checklist
Banking, mail forwarding, power of attorney, pet import rules — the complete pre-move checklist.
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