Costa Rica Beachfront Property Information
Costa Rica beachfront property is commonly known as
concession property. In Costa Rica, about 95% of beachfront property
is designated "concession property" which is protected from ownership
by foreigners and local residents. Shoreline zone law and other
special dispositions issued by municipalities and the Costa Rica
Board of Tourism specified the legal means by which foreigners and
local residents can lease concession property.
Costa Rica shorline zone is comprised of a 200
meters strip of land beginning at the mean hightide line and running
inland. The first 50 meters of this strip is designated as a public
zone available for use and transit by any individual. This public
zone is not available for ownership or development of any kind. The
next 150 meters is subject to lease by individuals or companies
either through a municipal concession for approved residential or
commercial development or a management plan with the Ministry of
Environment and Energy (MINAE) for environmentally sensitive portions
of land.
Concession agreements and management plans define
the right to use and enjoy a specific portion of land located
on the short line zone for a predetermined period of time based upon a
specific zoning or master plan known as the Plan Regulador. The
government grants this right
concession through a private agreement between the concessionaire and
the municipality that is recorded in a public registry.
All concessions and management plan are granted
for a limited period of time between 5 and 20 years, with a 20 years
period most common. The agreement also establishes a yearly
concession fee for the use and occupation of such government land
based upon an appraisal by the government authorities. Renewal for
equal and consecutive periods is negotiated between the private
parties and the government authorities.
Costa Rican law prohibits foreigners from majority
holding of concession land unless they have lived in Costa Rica for
least five years. However, a foreigner may enter into a partnership
with a Costa Rican citizen who appears as the majority holder of the
concession land. Alternative holding mechanisms may be available on a
case by case basis.
Beautiful Ubita beach, south of Dominical, Costa Rica
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