How to buy property in Costa Rica remotely, with a power of attorney.
Yes — you can buy Costa Rica real estate without ever traveling here. You grant a power of attorney (poder), drafted to a precise scope, that authorizes me to sign the escritura pública and close on your behalf. Your deposit sits in a SUGEF-registered escrow account, I run the title study, and the property is registered in your name at the Registro Nacional — all while you stay abroad.
What are the steps to close a Costa Rica purchase remotely?
Buying from abroad follows the same legal sequence as an in-person closing — a power of attorney simply lets me stand in for you at the signing. These are the five steps, in order.
- 01
Offer and signed purchase-sale agreement
You agree the price and terms and sign a purchase-sale agreement (contrato de compraventa, often an option-to-purchase). It fixes the deposit, the due-diligence period and the exact conditions that must be met before closing. This can be signed electronically from abroad.
- 02
Escrow deposit into a SUGEF-registered account
You wire the deposit into an escrow account held by a SUGEF-registered escrow agent — never directly to the seller. The escrow agent runs the anti-money-laundering source-of-funds checks (Law 8204), and the money is only released when the agreed conditions to close are satisfied.
- 03
Due diligence — 14 to 30 days
I run the title study of the folio real at the Registro Nacional, confirm there are no liens, mortgages or embargos, match the plano catastrado to the land, verify the corporate seller if there is one, and check that taxes and permits are current. You receive a written opinion, typically in 14 to 30 days, before any funds are released.
- 04
Escritura pública signed by the notary — you via power of attorney
The notary drafts and executes the transfer deed (escritura pública). Under the power of attorney you granted, I sign on your behalf, so you never have to be in Costa Rica for the closing.
- 05
Registration at the Registro Nacional
The notary presents the escritura to the Registro Nacional so the property is registered in your name — or your company's — in the folio real. Registration is what makes your ownership effective against third parties and completes the purchase.
How much authority does a power of attorney actually give?
A poder is not a blank cheque. It is drafted to the exact authority you approve and nothing more — so I can close for you without ever holding open-ended control over your affairs.
A precise, defined scope
The poder authorizes only what you approve — for example, to sign the escritura for one identified property at an agreed price. It is not a blank cheque, and it names exactly what the attorney may and may not do.
Special vs. general power of attorney
For a single purchase, a special power of attorney (poder especial) limited to that transaction is usually the right instrument, rather than a broad general power that grants ongoing authority over your affairs.
Limits and safeguards you keep
You can cap the price, require escrow release only on a clean title opinion, set an expiry date and revoke the power at any time. The authority ends when the defined act is done.
Made valid in Costa Rica
A power of attorney signed abroad is generally apostilled (or consularized where the country is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention) and translated into Spanish so it has full legal effect here.
What if I want to sign the escritura myself?
You can. Many buyers travel for the signing and use the power of attorney only as a fallback if plans change. The poder gives you the option to close remotely — it does not force you to.
Closing in person vs. closing by power of attorney
The legal outcome is identical — a registered title in your name. The difference is only who signs at the notary’s office and how the authority to do so is documented.
| Step | In person | By power of attorney |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase agreement | Signed in Costa Rica or electronically. | Signed electronically from abroad. |
| Escrow deposit | Wired to a SUGEF-registered escrow account. | Wired to a SUGEF-registered escrow account. |
| Authority to sign | You sign in person. | A power of attorney, apostilled and translated. |
| Escritura pública | Signed by you before the notary. | Signed by your attorney on your behalf. |
| Registration | At the Registro Nacional, in your name. | At the Registro Nacional, in your name. |
| Do you travel? | Yes, for the signing. | No — you stay abroad. |
Related guides for foreign buyers
Closing costs, escrow & taxes
What you really pay, how SUGEF escrow works, and the tax on resale.
ReadProperty due diligence
The title study I run at the Registro Nacional before any funds are released.
ReadS.A., S.R.L. or personal name?
How to hold the property you close on — and the residency rule most advice gets wrong.
ReadCan I buy property in Costa Rica without traveling there?
Yes. You can buy Costa Rica real estate remotely by granting a power of attorney (poder) to your attorney, who signs the escritura pública and closes on your behalf. You still control the price, the escrow conditions and the scope of authority — you simply do not have to be physically present to close.
How does a power of attorney work for a Costa Rica property purchase?
You execute a power of attorney authorizing your attorney to act on your behalf for a defined transaction. Signed abroad, it is generally apostilled (or consularized) and translated into Spanish so it is valid in Costa Rica. For a single purchase a special power of attorney limited to that deal is usually preferable to a broad general power.
Where should my deposit go if I am buying remotely?
Into an escrow account held by a SUGEF-registered escrow agent — never directly to the seller. The escrow agent performs the anti-money-laundering source-of-funds checks, and the funds are only released when the agreed conditions to close, including a clean title opinion, are met.
How long does a remote Costa Rica closing take?
Due diligence on a standard titled property typically takes 14 to 30 days from engagement to a written title opinion, and the escritura and registration follow once the conditions are met. Concession, maritime-zone or otherwise complex files take longer because they involve municipal and administrative records.
Is buying by power of attorney safe?
It is safe when the power is drafted to a precise scope, the funds sit in SUGEF-registered escrow rather than with the seller, and independent counsel — not the lawyer your realtor recommends — runs the title study before anything is released. The safeguards are what make a remote closing as secure as an in-person one.
How much does it cost to have you close a purchase for me?
Real-estate representation is 1.5% of the purchase price (+IVA), with a floor of US$5,000. Title due diligence starts from US$900 (from US$2,500 for maritime, concession or complex files). Every engagement begins with a Strategic Valuation Session at US$350 (+IVA), credited toward your matter if we proceed.
Close your Costa Rica purchase without leaving home.
Tell me about the property and where you are based. We start with a Strategic Valuation Session (US$350 + IVA, credited toward your matter), then I structure the power of attorney and the escrow so you can close remotely — in English, with one lawyer accountable to you.
Book a Strategic Valuation Session