Reserves & National Parks

Yes, you can sometimes buy land in the National Parks and Reserves. After reading this, you may decide that you don’t want to do that.

These areas are set aside and generally do not allow construction just like beach properties.  When it is allowed, there are severe restrictions on what and where one can build. Also, just because someone has already built on the property it doesn’t mean it was done legally.

Costa Rica has practically no tolerance for illegal building in these zones.  In August 2005, I read where a hotel that was build 12 years ago without permission in a restricted zone was declared in violation of the building restrictions and the owners were forced to tear it down.  Imagine how you would feel if that happened to you five years after you bought that property thinking it was either legal or grandfathered.

If you are planning on buying in these areas, have your attorney verify that you can use the land in the manner that you want.