Dominical Costa Rica Real Estate For Sale

Costa Rica Ocean View Estates
Dominical Real Estate Investment and Development

Costa Rica Beach Front Property

Costa Rica beach front 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 shortline 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.

Aerial of our land for sale Dominical, Costa Rica.