Yes—but it depends on whether the land is private titled property or part of Costa Rica’s Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZMT), where the rules are completely different. The confusion usually starts with one simple fact: many “beachfront” listings are not fee-simple...
A Compliance Update for Costa Rican Companies
By Diana Granados, GM Attorneys at Law New Power of Attorney Requirements for RTBF Filings For companies operating in Costa Rica, regulatory compliance is less about complexity and more about precision. A recent regulatory update on October 2025, has modified...
Costa Rica’s Business Power List: 30 Companies Shaping the Country Today
Costa Rica punches way above its weight in business. In a country known for rainforests, coffee, and beach breaks, you’ll also find powerhouse cooperatives, national champions, and global multinationals running major manufacturing, logistics, finance, and tech...
Welcome Mercedes Sancho as a New Partner at Quatro Legal
We are proud to share exciting news—news that fills us with both enthusiasm and gratitude: Mercedes Sancho joins Quatro Legal as a new partner. Mercedes has more than 25 years of experience in the legal field, standing out particularly in corporate law, maritime zone...
Costa Rica 2026: A Year to Live Better and Invest with Confidence
By Manfred Peters, GM Attorneys at Law As we step into 2026, Costa Rica once again rises to the top as one of the world’s most desirable destinations for those seeking a safe, inspiring place to live — and a market offering solid, long-term investment...
Water Availability
Building a house in Costa Rica: why water comes first, not last When you picture your dream home in Costa Rica, you probably imagine ocean breezes, howler monkeys in the distance and a lush green backdrop. You probably do not imagine queuing at a municipal office...
Beyond Bananas: The 30 Export Products Powering Costa Rica’s Economy
Costa Rica’s export story today is really a tale of two strengths: cutting-edge medical technology and world-famous tropical produce. Together they anchor a remarkably diverse list of the country’s top 30 export products, based on the latest 2024 goods trade data...
Pay in Dollars, Colones or Plastic? The Currency Trap Tourists Are Walking Into in Costa Rica
If you’ve lived in or visited Costa Rica for more than a week, you’ve probably heard someone mutter, “El dólar está flojo.” For years, the greenback felt like a super-currency here. Now, with the colón hovering around ₡500 per US$1 and having been much stronger than...
Legalease – Buying a Business
Do I keep the existing corporation or set up a new one? Most businesses in Costa Rica are run through a legally registered corporation. One of the first decisions to make when acquiring an existing business is whether to purchase and keep the existing corporation’s...
Costa Rica 2025 Tax Wrap-Up: What Property Owners & Investors Need to Know for 2026
By Manfred Peters, GM Attorneys at Law As we wrap up another dynamic year in Costa Rica’s real estate and investment landscape, it’s the perfect moment to make sure your 2026 tax obligations are in scope. Whether you own a luxury home in Guanacaste, manage rental...
Tourism sector stagnates and loses 22,000 jobs in the last year
Q Costa Rica As of October 2025, total tourist visitation showed a decrease of 1.8% compared to the same period in 2024, representing 43,070 fewer tourists. The decline in foreign tourism hits women hardest and affects key sectors such as food service, travel...
Think it Over
Moving to Costa Rica is thrilling, bewildering and wonderfully human all at once. I learned early that the country rewards those who arrive curious and willing to adapt. The moment I caught myself repeating, “That’s not how we do it back home,” I realised I was...













