# Costa Rica Legal Guide

> Independent English-language guide for foreigners (mostly from the United States and Canada) who need a lawyer in Costa Rica for property, residency or immigration. It explains each process in plain English and keeps a free waitlist to match visitors with an independent bilingual law firm when one is available. Updated 2026-10-28.

## What this site is and is not
- It is an information site. It is not a law firm, does not give legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
- No law firm pays to be listed today. Visitor details are not shared with any firm without a new, express permission.
- Facts confirmed in an official source are stated with the source. Figures labeled "estimated" come from secondary sources (law-firm and press summaries) and are not confirmed against the current official text; readers must confirm them with a licensed Costa Rican lawyer.
- Publisher: Napoleón Contreras (https://napoleoncontreras.com), an SEO specialist based in Costa Rica. Not a lawyer.

## Guides
- [Costa Rica real estate attorney](https://costaricalegalguide.com/real-estate-lawyer/): What a real estate attorney checks before a foreigner buys: title, liens, zoning, water, shoreline land, contract and closing.
- [Costa Rica residency lawyer](https://costaricalegalguide.com/residency-lawyer/): Residency categories (pensionado, rentista, investor, remote worker, family ties), documents and the path to permanent residency. Figures marked estimated are unconfirmed.
- [Costa Rica immigration attorney](https://costaricalegalguide.com/immigration-lawyer/): Tourist stays, overstay fines, renewals, appeals and dependents, with what to do first when status is at risk.
- [Buying property in Costa Rica](https://costaricalegalguide.com/buying-property-in-costa-rica/): Seven-step purchase process for foreigners, from offer and due diligence to public deed and registration.
- [Costa Rica investment real estate](https://costaricalegalguide.com/investment-property/): Legal checklist for investors: ownership structure, taxes, short-term rentals, residency by investment and red flags.

## Tools
- [Closing costs calculator](https://costaricalegalguide.com/closing-cost-calculator/): Rough estimate of transfer tax, stamps, registry and notary fees on a purchase. Rates are estimates.
- [Residency quiz](https://costaricalegalguide.com/residency-quiz/): Five questions that suggest the most likely residency category. Orientation only.

## Area guides for buyers
- [Homes for sale in Atenas](https://costaricalegalguide.com/areas/atenas/): Legal checks for buying in Atenas, a Central Valley town: access, water, setbacks and condominium rules.
- [Homes for sale in Santa Teresa](https://costaricalegalguide.com/areas/santa-teresa/): Legal checks for buying on the Nicoya Peninsula coast: shoreline zone, concessions, water and access.
- [Homes for sale in Tamarindo](https://costaricalegalguide.com/areas/tamarindo/): Legal checks for condos, houses and pre-construction purchases in Tamarindo, Guanacaste.
- [Homes for sale in Dominical](https://costaricalegalguide.com/areas/dominical/): Legal checks for rural lots near Dominical: access, water rights, rivers and protected areas.

## About and contact
- [About this guide](https://costaricalegalguide.com/about/): Who runs the site, how facts are verified and how it is funded.
- [Join the waitlist](https://costaricalegalguide.com/contact/): Free waitlist to be matched with an independent bilingual law firm when one is available.
- Contact: hello@costaricalegalguide.com
- Full text of the guides: [llms-full.txt](https://costaricalegalguide.com/llms-full.txt)
- Sitemaps: [XML](https://costaricalegalguide.com/sitemap.xml) · [HTML](https://costaricalegalguide.com/sitemap/)