Judicial fight freezes beach developments

By: Garland M. Baker B.

Exclusive to A.M. Costa Rica

Editor's Note: While this article was accurate at the time of publication, some information may now be outdated. We are currently preparing a comprehensive update. Sign up for our Alerts to be notified as soon as the revised content is live!

Construction of beach developments in Costa Rica has been frozen because the Sala VI constitutional court is considering a complex case that pits the central government against its employees and environmentalists.

The issue involves the concessions that developers get to build within the maritime zone, which is public land and the first 200 meters from the average high tide line. Construction is not permitted in the first 50 meters, but long-lasting concessions are permitted in the rest.  

The constitutional court is considering two actions that include a case filed by the union that represents workers in the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. The worker’s union is suing because the ministry changed the rules so that developers now appear to have the right to cut down some trees in the maritime zone to build hotels and other projects.

A checklist to stay out of real estate trouble

By: Garland M. Baker B.

Exclusive to A.M. Costa Rica

Editor's Note: While this article was accurate at the time of publication, some information may now be outdated. We are currently preparing a comprehensive update. Sign up for our Alerts to be notified as soon as the revised content is live!

Every day, more and more foreigners are investing in all types of real estate in Costa Rica.  All types are the caution words.  There are so many kinds of property in the country, investors need to be careful when buying anything.  There is titled and untitled land, beach, and concession property, forest reserve and protected land to name a few varieties.

To buy real estate here, it is a good idea to have a checklist.  Here is a simple one to use: