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Costa Rica · Vivienda y mudanza

Alquilar en Costa Rica

Partially verified Última verificación 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.

Lo básico del alquiler

Contrato habitual
1 año
Fianza
1 mes(es) de renta
Amueblado
Amueblado + sin amueblar
Mercado de media estancia
Mercado de media estancia fuerte
Registro de domicilio
No obligatorio

Comisión de agencia: 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.)

Tus derechos como inquilino

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.

Conviene saber

  • 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

A tener en cuenta

  • 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

Dónde buscar

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

Las plataformas se enumeran solo a título orientativo — no las respaldamos ni las clasificamos.

Alquilar en Costa Rica: preguntas frecuentes

Alquilar en Costa Rica: preguntas frecuentes

¿Cuánta fianza necesito para alquilar en Costa Rica?

Los propietarios suelen pedir alrededor de 1 mes de renta como fianza, además del primer mes por adelantado, más cualquier comisión de agencia (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.)). Cuenta con esa suma como un pago único antes de llegar.

¿Tengo que registrar mi domicilio en Costa Rica?

El registro de domicilio no es un requisito general para los residentes de corta estancia aquí, pero comprueba si tu visado concreto o un banco necesitan un justificante de domicilio.

¿Puedo encontrar alquileres amueblados o de corta estancia en Costa Rica?

Amueblado + sin amueblar y el mercado de media estancia en el que se apoyan los nómadas es mercado de media estancia fuerte. Empieza tu búsqueda en Encuentra24, Facebook groups / Marketplace (expat housing groups), Craigslist.

Fuentes