The Buying Process
Ocean Front Real Estate
Usage
In order to lease ocean front real estate the National Geographic Institute of Costa Rica must mark out the exact boarders of the land. You must present a development plan that has been approved by the local municipality as well. If you choose to lease the land without government or municipal endorsement, you may not be able to use your land the way you would like to. Some municipalities are more lenient than others. Some, especially in the Southern Zone, are very strict on enforcement of maritime land rights.
If the land you are choosing to lease has never has a zoning plan on file at the National Registry, you will be obligated to submit one to the Costa Rica Housing and Urban Development Department and the Costa Rica Tourism Board. The local municipality will also have to approve the new zoning plan.
For individual owners, usages are usually not very restricting. As far as size, landscaping, amenities and aesthetics go, you should find the usage rules to be uninviting. For developers with visions of unique and new activities and concepts, you may meet some resistance in the maritime zone.
