RENT?

Renting is the least risky and most flexible of the three options. It can, however, be costly in the long term, and depending on where you want to live, there may not be much rental product available on the market. Neither do renters have the chance to see a return on their investment. On the other hand, if you have limited resources and are not planning on staying in Costa Rica for the long term, renting is by far the best option. Likewise, even if you do plan to live in Costa Rica for a long time, it’s highly recommended that you rent before you buy. Neighborhoods and cultures reveal their secrets reluctantly, and six months of renting will teach you things about your new home that a simple visit would never expose. This is especially true considering that your move will include a measure of culture shock. If you discover something you don’t like, you can pull up stakes and try out another region of Costa Rica. In the event that you decide to move here permanently, you will still have to consider whether to continue renting, or to buy or build something.