About Us

Coldwell Banker Tamarindo Realty is a full service real estate company located in the heart of Tamarindo, the region's most popular beach resort community. The agents and personable staff at Tamarindo Realty are here to help inform you about everything you need to know regarding investing and living in Costa Rica. We have over 20 years of combined experience living and working in the area, and are here to offer you our local knowledge and insight, as well as expert advice for investing in Costa Rica.

Richard Lacey CPA, (ACA), BSc. Owner /broker. Richard is a licensed Realtor, (through CRGAR, the real estate professional body) and is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He comes from a corporate background, having spent many years with blue chip corporations including KPMG, Time Warner and Sony Corp. He has run businesses in Costa Rica for 16 years and is a fluent Spanish speaker. Richard combines a passion for selling with a solid business acumen. Having spent many years in the country he has a thorough understanding of the local real estate market.

With our wealth of experience and local knowledge we will provide you with honest advice and professional service making investing in Costa Rica an easy and fun experience.

Tamarindo Realty has the supreme backing of a 106 year old established company, Coldwell Banker, which is the leading real estate franchise company in the world today with a global presence in 49 countries, and boasts 176% higher sales volume than the nearest competitor. Coldwell Banker is now leading the way in Costa Rica Real Estate, and we're the first to implement innovative applications which allow you to search for properties from your mobile device and much more.

If you're looking to retire, own a second home, or own a rental income property in the Tamarindo area, you're in the right place. We are honored to be your real estate connections in the area, and we work very hard to earn the trust and confidence of each of our clients.

About Tamarindo

Things to do:

Tamarindo was made famous in part by the epic surf documentary Endless Summer. The first and the second editions of this popular surf movie featured Tamarindo as a place to find perfect waves and friendly people. Today Tamarindo is still that same place but it has grown from the once tiny fishing village into an active and fun community of beach lovers from around the world. Here there are more than 30 international restaurants to choose from, a plethora of night clubs and bars to enjoy, numerous tour companies and more surf shops and souvenir shops than you can count. You'll have plenty of fun activities to choose from, meet a variety of interesting people from around the globe as you enjoy your second home in Costa Rica. The convenience of Tamarindo being within 30 minutes of many different exotic beaches along the coastline, make it a hub for many to set up home base and travel around the different areas.

Here's a list of some of the fun activities you can find in Tamarindo:

• Sport fishing
• Surf lessons
• Surf tours
• Canopy Zip line Tours
• ATV tours
• Golf
• Sunset sailing
• Snorkeling
• Volley ball

• Sport fishing
• Surf lessons
• Surf tours
• Canopy Zip line Tours
• ATV tours
• Golf
• Sunset sailing
• Snorkeling
• Volley ball

Check Out the Local Events Going on Around Town in the Tamarindo Insider

The Guanacaste Region:

The Northern Pacific region of Costa Rica is a great place to invest. Known as the "Gold Coast" for its beautiful golden sand beaches, this region of Costa Rica offers the most ideal climate, good infrastructure, an international airport, peaceful nature and modern conveniences all in the same place. The signals are clear for future development, growth, and rising property values in this area, it's a fantastic place to buy a property. This underdeveloped Oceanside region, once frequented by only eco-tourists and an adventurous few is about to be transformed into a major luxury resort destination with international appeal.

One sign is the newly expanding international airport in Liberia, just 50 minutes from Tamarindo. The new terminal currently being built, which will double the size of the current airport, is scheduled to be finished by this November 2011! Most major airlines offer direct flights to Liberia, and the numbers are growing. It's because the country of Costa Rica and particularly this region has all the hallmarks of an exotic international resort destination; with easy access to the North American market.

The world's #1 ecotourism destination, Costa Rica has preserved an unmatched combination of ocean and jungle, protected by world-renown national parks. Tamarindo, known already as an international surfing capital, offers the world's finest marlin fishing and a full range of activities, including golf, hiking, white water rafting, bird watching, and more – all with miles of walking beaches beside a town with character and soul. What makes Tamarindo stand out against all other locations in Costa Rica are the following:

• An authentic village with an "insider" following and a "Reserve Chic" location that will be the next "hot" destination.


• An emphasis on views, a sunset walking the beach and adjacent " all action all the time" activities including daytime eco and sports related activities and an exciting nightlife.


• A contrast of "feel" and experience to the remote, greenfield beachside resort such as Four Seasons.


• Tamarindo has it's own regional airport with daily flights to various destinations including the capital city of San Jose.

Retirement

Retiring in Costa Rica:

Many people are looking for the perfect place to retire, where the weather is beautiful year round, where the cost of living is more affordable, and where they can enjoy a healthy and fun life style. Somewhere the grandchildren will love to visit every year. Cost a Rica is that perfect place for many people and the laws regarding living as a retiree in Costa Rica make it feasible for many people to achieve their dreams of living out their retirement in paradise.

Residency in Costa Rica:

Coldwell Banker Tamarindo Realty can guide you to the right resources you need to obtain residency in Costa Rica, and there are several types of residency to apply for. One of the most common forms of residence is the Retiree "Pensionista", in which the applicant must prove receipt of a monthly pension of at least $1,000 USD per month. Under this type of residency you can stay for as long as you want in the country, but may not work. However, if you're like many people who live in Costa Rica and never go through the arduous process to obtain residency, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days at a time (3 months) on a normal tourist visa. Many people choose to visit their vacation homes or second homes in Costa Rica for 3 months at a time, or they might take a short trip to Nicaragua or Panama to renew their passport.

If you're interested in obtaining residency, we can guide you through the steps to obtain the require documents for application, and send you a list of the various types of residency to apply for. Otherwise just come and go as you please every three months.

Cost of Living in Costa Rica:

The cost of living in Costa Rica can be much lower than in the US or Canada, but you need to know how and where to save the money, otherwise you can end up spending as much or more than what you would staying in your home country. There are certain things that are purely more affordable in Costa Rica, things like housekeeping, lawyers & professional services, health and beauty services (SPA), fruits & vegetables, health care & health insurance. Eating out and grocery shopping can be less expensive if you're informed about where the locals go to eat out, and where the locals do their shopping. Tamarindo has the best shops, restaurants and supermarkets in the area, known for high quality and fresh produce, however the prices are reflective of that and the convenience of being so close to the beach in a touristy area has a high price tag too. If you venture outside of Tamarindo to fill up on groceries and eat out you will save a lot of money.

The most significant money saving comparison for living in Costa Rica is the health care and health insurance. For example, you can get a family health insurance plan for as little as $600 a year which cover everything you need at the public hospitals and health clinics. You can also choose to visit the many private medical clinics and receive the same treatments for a fraction of the cost of a visit to the doctor in the US. Many people visit Costa Rica for laser eye surgery and cosmetic surgery where they'll save thousands of dollars to get the same quality of work done. The health providers and pharmacies in Costa Rica are excellent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are properties in Costa Rica Titled?

Yes, almost all properties in Costa Rica are fully titled. When you buy a property here in Costa Rica, you are 100% full owner without question.

There are only a few, mostly beachfront, properties, that are not fully titled but concession properties. A concession is a type of lease from the Costa Rican government which usually lasts from 25 to 100 years, and is renewable.

What are my rights to own property as a foreigner in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica the laws permit that foreigners can own property and /or businesses in the country without having residency here. In fact foreigners have the same rights to own property and businesses as any native Costa Rican!

How much are the closing costs for buying property in Costa Rica?

The closing costs of a real estate deal depends on whether you transfer the shares of the corporation that owns the Title of the property or if you transfer the title of the property itself. In most cases you will buy the corporation and the costs of the closing amount to about 1.25% of the sale price. The lawyer will advise you regarding this matter and in some cases it is not recommendable to transfer the shares of the corporation, then the title will be transferred without the corporation and the transfer taxes raise the total closing costs up to about 3.5%. These percentages include legal fees, government taxes, and transfer fees. There are no capital gains in Costa Rica.

The Costa Rican attorney / notary is in charge of handling the closing of any real estate sale. A list of quality bilingual attorneys is available upon your request.

How much are property taxes in Costa Rica?

Property taxes in Costa Rica are so little compared to the US that you could almost over look them completely. They are only about 0.25% yearly over the total value of the property. So for a property worth $500,000 the yearly property taxes you'll have to pay are about $1,250.

Are the people friendly to foreigners in Costa Rica?

Absolutely. The people in Costa Rica are known for their friendly demeanor. Many people in Costa Rica speak English as well. Costa Rica is famous as a place of peace and welcoming people from other countries. In fact in Tamarindo, there are already so many foreigners who visit and live in the area, it's become almost like an international utopia.

Is the government stable in Costa Rica?

Yes, the government in Costa Rica has a long history of peace and democracy. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, and ever since it has invested money in education and health care for the people instead of the military. Costa Rica relies on the US and other ally countries for its defense, and has been the most peaceful country in all of Latin America. In fact, Costa Rica is an exemplary country for peace and civil rest.

Should I use a realtor to help me buy a property in Costa Rica?

Yes, you should use a realtor for many reasons. You will save so much time and energy looking at properties with the right professional who is dedicated to know what's going on in the market every day. Properties you find in the for sale by owner magazines are typically the most grossly overpriced properties on the market. Don't risk overpaying for a property when you can have someone with experience help you get to know the local market.