Skip to content

Costa Rica · Housing & Relocation

Renting in Costa Rica

Partially verified Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

Renting in Costa Rica is straightforward for foreigners, who have the same rental rights as locals and need no special permit. Long-term leases commonly run for one year (renewable), with a one-month security deposit, while furnished mid-term apartments are widely available in expat and beach areas; most listings are found via Encuentra24, Facebook groups and local agents.

The rental basics

Typical lease
1 year
Deposit
1 mo rent
Furnished
Furnished + unfurnished
Mid-term market
Strong mid-term market
Address registration
Not required

Agency fee: When an agent is used, the broker commission on a rental is customarily paid by the landlord; tenants normally pay no agency fee, though practice varies by market. (Published Costa Rican commission rates of roughly 5% plus 13% VAT refer to property sales, not residential rentals.)

Your rights as a tenant

Tenancies are governed by Law 7527 (Ley General de Arrendamientos Urbanos y Suburbanos). It sets a minimum lease term of three years (Article 70): a compliant tenant may stay for that term regardless of what a shorter contract says, and can only be evicted on legally defined grounds through a court process, with self-help (extrajudicial) eviction barred. Rent agreed in colones may be increased annually in line with an official inflation index, while rent agreed in US dollars or another foreign currency is fixed for the contract term unless the contract states otherwise.

Good to know

  • Foreigners rent on equal footing with locals and need no special permit
  • Standard security deposit is one month's rent, and advance rent is capped at one month under Law 7527
  • Strong supply of furnished mid-term rentals (Airbnb hosts often open to 3-12 month stays) for an exploratory first stay
  • Law 7527 gives a compliant tenant a protected three-year term and requires eviction to go through the courts, barring self-help eviction

Watch out for

  • Leases are typically in Spanish; a lease may be verbal or written, but a written contract is strongly advisable for enforceability, so have a Spanish lease reviewed before signing
  • Deposit returns are a common dispute area, so document the property's condition and put return terms in the contract (landlords often return the deposit around 30 days after move-out, once utilities and inventory are checked)
  • Beach and tourist areas have shifted heavily to short-term tourist lets, tightening long-term supply and pushing prices above the Central Valley
  • Sight-unseen listings and 'wire-the-deposit-first' offers on Facebook/Craigslist attract scams; view in person or use a reputable agent and avoid paying before seeing a signed contract and getting keys

Where to look

Encuentra24Facebook groups / Marketplace (expat housing groups)CraigslistAirbnb (for mid-term furnished stays)Local real-estate agents

Platforms are listed for orientation only — we don't endorse or rank them.

Renting in Costa Rica: FAQ

Renting in Costa Rica: FAQ

How much deposit do I need to rent in Costa Rica?

Landlords typically ask for around 1 month of rent as a security deposit, on top of the first month upfront, plus any agency fee (when an agent is used, the broker commission on a rental is customarily paid by the landlord; tenants normally pay no agency fee, though practice varies by market. (published costa rican commission rates of roughly 5% plus 13% vat refer to property sales, not residential rentals.)). Budget for that as a lump sum before you arrive.

Do I have to register my address in Costa Rica?

Address registration isn't a general requirement for short-stay residents here, but check whether your specific visa or a bank needs proof of address.

Can I find furnished or short-term rentals in Costa Rica?

Furnished + unfurnished and the mid-term market nomads rely on is strong mid-term market. Start your search on Encuentra24, Facebook groups / Marketplace (expat housing groups), Craigslist.

Sources