Costa Rica Property - 8 things I wish I had known before I bought.

- Location location location
Your experience in Costa Rica changes dramatically depending on where you are. Jaco, Tamarindo, Coco, Manuel Antonio, Dominical all have dramatically different lifestyles, people and weather.
- Liberia airport
Liberia is a major international airport in Costa Rica, but little known. Flights here from most major North American cities will save you hours on the road. It is only an hour’s shuttle to Tamarindo
- Anything administrative is a big headache Costa Ricans love ‘making easy difficult’.
Anything to do with banks, utilities, phone service will drive you nuts when you set things up. Bring plenty of patience and a big smile. Once you get over the set up, everything seems to work quite painlessly.
- You don’t need to learn Spanish, but it helps
I have friends who have lived in Costa Rica for 25 years and never learned Spanish. You don't need to, is the truth, but those that make the effort are richly rewarded by a whole new group of local friends, and big smiles from the locals who appreciate the effort.
- Rainy season isn’t that rainy.
Rainy season isn't that rainy. Actually sometimes it is the best time to be in Costa Rica.
- Choose your realtor carefully
There is no MLS in Costa Rica, and no real estate license requirement. So choose your realtor carefully. A great one will save you money and find you an amazing, hassle free property. The opposite is true too!
- Bring your smarts
Don’t drop your guard because you are in the tropics. I hear crazy stories of visitors who put all their trust in people they have just met on the beach. Use reputable lawyers, inspectors and property managers.
- Crime
Take common sense precautions. There i s petty theft, if you leave belongings
in your car, or unattended on the beach. Fortunately violent crime is extremely rare.
- Bonus- watch the video to find out !
This is my number one pleasant surprise that I found out after I moved here. Watch the video to find out what it is!