How is the title transferred in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, the Property will be transferred from the seller to the buyer by executing a transfer deed at closing before a Notary Public, who is also a lawyer, whom we can recommend to you. Unlike common law countries, such as the United States and Canada, where the role of the Notary Public is limited to authenticating signatures, in Costa Rica the Notary Public is an agent with extensive powers that have the faculties to record transactions in Government offices. The Notary Public may draft and interpret legal documents, as well as authenticate and certify the authenticity of documents.
Real estate properties are recorded in the central Real Estate Property Registry, located in San José. All the information is centralized in digital databases.
In order to close a real estate transaction in Costa Rica, the seller will select a Notary Public who will prepare the transfer deed and record the transaction in the Real Estate Property Registry (Registro Nacional).
At the buyer option, the property can be purchased by an individual, in co-ownership with other individual persons, or in the name of a corporation. The decision as to the ownership should be based upon the buyer’s particular situation and after consulting with a Costa Rican attorney.


How can a buyer ensure clear title to Costa Rica real estate?
Notary Public will be in charge to make a due diligence over the real estate property in order to determine the history of the real estate property in the Real Estate Property Registry. All documents related to an interest and/or title to a real estate property shall be registered in the Real Estate Property Registry. Most properties have a titled registration number known as the folio real and the records database can be searched with this number or by name index. Notary Public shall obtain a report from the Real Estate Property Registry that will show the situation of the property. The Report will contain the name of the owner, boundaries, location, cadastral surveys and the area, as well as recorded limitations, liens, mortgages, annotations, civil procedures and other encumbrances. The Notary Public in charge of the transaction will review such report in order to determine if the Costa Rica real estate property can be subject of transfer and negotiations.


All property with Colinas de Miramar has received clear title through Latin America Title - A Division of Chicago Title.


How does the registration of the transfer deed work in Costa Rica?
Once the transfer deed is executed before the Notary Public, the Notary Public shall act as agent of the Tax Authorities collecting the transfer tax and Real Estate Property Registry taxes. Then, upon payment of taxes, the Notary Public shall file the transfer deed in the Real Estate Property Registry and the real estate property will be annotated. A Registrator will verify that the information contained in the transfer deed is correct and then, the Registrator will proceed to record the Costa Rican real estate property under the name of the new owner.

How is Costa Rica's economy?
Costa Rica has a healthy, robust economy for a small country of 4 million people.  Technology and eco-tourism are the twin pillars of Costa Rica's economy. Microsoft, Motorola, Intel and other technology related firms have established operations in Costa Rica. Tourism is growing at an accelerated pace.  Reflecting its commitment to the environment and eco-tourism, the country has set aside 25% of its land as protected national preserve, one of the highest proportions in the world.  Bananas, pineapples and coffee are important contributors to Costa Rica's export income.   Land ownership and wealth is widespread and the population enjoys a relatively high standard of living.  Among Central American countries, Costa Rica has the largest middle class and is the most politically stable.