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Costa Rica · Logement & relocation

Se loger à Costa Rica

Partially verified Dernière vérification 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.

Les bases de la location

Bail habituel
1 an
Dépôt de garantie
1 mois de loyer
Meublé
Meublé + non meublé
Marché moyenne durée
Marché moyen terme solide
Déclaration de domicile
Non exigée

Frais d'agence : 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.)

Vos droits en tant que locataire

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.

Bon à savoir

  • 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

À surveiller

  • 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

Où chercher

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

Les plateformes sont listées à titre d'orientation uniquement — nous ne les recommandons ni ne les classons.

Se loger à Costa Rica : FAQ

Se loger à Costa Rica : FAQ

Quel dépôt de garantie faut-il pour louer à Costa Rica ?

Les propriétaires demandent généralement environ 1 mois de loyer en dépôt de garantie, en plus du premier mois d'avance, plus d'éventuels frais d'agence (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.)). Prévoyez cette somme en une fois avant votre arrivée.

Dois-je déclarer mon domicile à Costa Rica ?

La déclaration de domicile n'est pas une exigence générale pour les résidents de court séjour ici, mais vérifiez si votre visa précis ou une banque exige un justificatif de domicile.

Puis-je trouver des locations meublées ou de courte durée à Costa Rica ?

Meublé + non meublé et le marché moyenne durée sur lequel s'appuient les nomades est marché moyen terme solide. Commencez votre recherche sur Encuentra24, Facebook groups / Marketplace (expat housing groups), Craigslist.

Sources