Buying Property in Costa Rica: Your Step-by-Step Timeline to Owning a Home in Cabuya, Montezuma & Santa Teresa
Introduction
If you’ve been dreaming of buying property in Costa Rica, the upcoming high season (December through April) is the ideal time to start your search. The weather is perfect, the jungle is still lush from green season, and coastal towns like Cabuya, Montezuma, and Santa Teresa come alive with energy.
Whether you’re considering a real estate investment, a future relocation, or building your dream home by the pacific, visiting during high season allows you to experience the lifestyle firsthand — and get a true feel for the Nicoya Peninsula’s most desirable communities.
At Cabuya Realty, we guide clients through every stage of the process — from initial research to full ownership. Here’s a month-by-month timeline to help you navigate your property journey with confidence.
Month 1: Explore, Rent & Research
Book your rental early for high season. Vacation rentals in Cabuya, Montezuma, and Santa Teresa fill quickly between December and April. Staying locally gives you the best sense of the community, culture, beach life, and local amenities.
Connect with fellow expats. Talk to people who’ve already bought property or built homes in the area. They’re an invaluable source of insight about local costs, timelines, and what life is really like in Costa Rica’s Blue Zone. Talk to people who have move recently and others who have more years under their built.
Define your dream property. Are you looking for an ocean-view lot, a jungle hideaway, or an income-producing investment property? Share your goals with your agent so they can tailor your property search to your lifestyle and budget.
Month 2: Property Tours & Shortlisting
Schedule property tours in Cabuya, Montezuma, and Santa Teresa. These towns each have their own character — Cabuya’s tranquility, Montezuma’s bohemian charm, and Santa Teresa’s vibrant surf scene. Go and see a wide variety of properties and notice how you feel in each. You’ll get a sense for your must haves and what you can compromise on.
Learn about Costa Rica property laws, including titled versus concession land, and the importance of verifying water rights. Speak to qualified and reputable real estate team along with a legal team who has experience in the area.
Shortlist your top two or three properties and begin evaluating potential returns if you’re planning a Costa Rica real estate investment.
Month 3: Offers & Legal Due Diligence
Once you’ve found the right property, your agent will help you make an offer. It can be tough to figure out true comps as the actual sale price won’t be listed but again, ask around. Get a sense for if things are going over asking or under. It’ll most likely depend on the property and mindset of the seller.
A trusted attorney conducts due diligence, including a title search, boundary review, zoning verification, and confirming access to utilities.
Once cleared, you’ll place a deposit into escrow to reserve the property.
Month 4: Closing & Ownership Transfer
Sign closing documents with a Costa Rican notary public. Your legal team will arrange all of this.
Pay standard closing costs (usually 3–4% of the purchase price).
The property is officially transferred in the Costa Rica National Registry — congratulations, you’re now a property owner!
Month 5–6: Building, Renovating & Settling In
Begin your design, renovation, or construction plans. Cabuya Realty partners with local architects, builders, and landscapers who understand the area’s unique terrain and tropical climate.
Connect with the growing expat community in Cabuya and Montezuma for trusted recommendations and cultural tips.
Settle into your new lifestyle — morning swims, fresh markets, yoga sessions, and breathtaking sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing property in Costa Rica is both an adventure and an investment in your well-being but it will also require due diligence and patience. The Nicoya Peninsula — especially Cabuya, Montezuma, and Santa Teresa — continues to attract buyers seeking natural beauty, community, and strong real estate appreciation.
Start your journey this high season by renting, exploring, and connecting — then let Cabuya Realty guide you through the buying process with transparency and care.
📩 Contact Cabuya Realty to schedule personalized property tours, get rental recommendations, and start planning your investment in paradise.