Canadian buyers: prepare a Costa Rica property purchase

Prepare before your flight

Give Dominique your preferred area, budget and intended use. Confirm listing details and arrange manageable viewings. Keep time to explore the neighborhood as well as the homes.

Ask about the exact transaction

Have an independent Costa Rican lawyer review ownership, survey and proposed terms. Coordinate with a Canadian tax adviser about your circumstances. Generic articles cannot settle household-specific tax, reporting or ownership-structure questions.

Arrange funds with current quotes

Ask your bank about identification, timing, fees and the exchange rate available to you. Verify payment instructions with a trusted contact method; do not rely on a changed email alone.

Keep travel separate from ownership

Read current Canadian government travel advice before departure. Obtain appropriate advice for a longer stay. Do not assume a purchase determines immigration status.

Your planning folder

• Identification and adviser contacts.
• Purchase and ongoing-cost budgets.
• Confirmed listing and appointment details.
• Questions on documents, funds and care while away.

Coordinate the people before the deadline

Keep a contact list for the agent, independent Costa Rican lawyer, Canadian adviser and bank. Ask who is responsible for each document or step and how important instructions will be confirmed. If you may be away during part of the process, discuss the appropriate arrangements with your lawyer before assuming a remote signature will cover everything.

Build a timetable using the actual proposed terms and your providers’ information. Allow for questions about documents and transfers rather than treating an advertised closing date as a universal standard. Keep copies of instructions and confirmations in one place, and raise a mismatch with the responsible professional before proceeding.