With offices in San José and the tourist hubs of Puntarenas and Guanacaste, BLP has a formidable real estate offering in Costa Rica, advising a host of prominent engineering and construction companies, lenders, private and institutional investors, landlords and tenants. Highlighted for its ‘deep involvement in the industry’ and ‘wealth of knowledge about real estate’, the team is able to cover the full spread of related matters, from the financing and development of major hotel and resort projects to the sale and acquisition of real estate assets, tax planning and free trade zone issues. The well-regarded Luis M. Castro oversees the sizeable team, which also includes Eduardo Calderón, Andrea González, who is ‘highly respected by the industry’s top players’, Juan Carlos Tristán, Anneth Jiménez and financing specialist Andrés López; all are well versed in assisting with major real estate projects in both coastal and urban areas. The strong supporting line-up includes special counsel Andrés Waisleder, a key adviser to international hotel operators, and directors Catalina Soto, Fernando Shum and Karla González.

EY Law Central America draws on its ‘extensive practical knowledge of the industry’ to advise an impressive client roster of leading real estate and hospitality developers on the full life cycle of high-profile tourist, residential and commercial projects, from the design and planning phase through to financing, development and related tax and corporate structuring. The firm also has a thriving real estate M&A practice, with a strong emphasis on transactions in the hospitality sector. The ‘outstanding’ Alejandro Antillón, who is widely regarded as a market leader in the real estate and hospitality spheres, particularly in condominium matters, heads the practice. He is ably supported by a talented pool of associates, including senior managers Ana Sáenz, an expert in M&A and foreign investment matters, and Carlos Jiménez, who advises clients across the telecoms, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, real estate and hospitality sectors, and manager Monserrat Alvarado, who frequently assists with project structuring and the constitution of condominium regimes.

Consortium Legal's real estate practice wins praise for its ‘solid technical expertise, backed by years of experience in highly complex cases’ and ‘in-depth knowledge of the regional market’. Catering to clients throughout Costa Rica from offices in San José and Guanacaste (a key destination for foreign investment), the firm is distinguished by its strengths in development, corporate and compliance matters. The team also has robust experience in real estate acquisitions and sales, M&A, asset purchases and bulk sales, in addition to the planning and structuring of projects, complex commercial leases, and regulatory and permitting issues. Juan Manuel Cordero, whose broad practice covers the residential, commercial and hotel sectors, leads the team alongside David Reuben, an expert in real estate developments, acquisitions and leases. Firm President Rolando Laclé Zúñiga, a transactional expert with deep knowledge of foreign investment matters, brings further partner-level expertise to the team; while senior associates Marcela Alfaro (who is particularly active in advising on acquisitions and leases in the retail sphere), and Daniel Rojas, provide strong support.

Dentons houses a diverse real estate practice, with strong skill sets across the maritime, construction, hospitality, agribusiness and life sciences sectors. The ‘outstanding’ team advises on the full range of leasing, financing, project development and investment matters, in addition to real estate-related disputes, acting for an array of prominent local and international developers, investors and brokers. Practice lead Eduardo Zúñiga, who serves as co-head of the firm’s Latin America real estate group, is highlighted as ‘very knowledgable regarding real estate transactions’, and brings to bear extensive experience of advising on project developments. He is supported by a capable pool of junior lawyers, including director Pamela Contreras, who is well versed in transactions in the real estate and forestry sectors, and senior associate Montserrat Ortega, an expert in real estate due diligence and compliance.

Sfera Legal's real estate department works closely with the firm’s finance, litigation and tax practices to assist clients with a broad range of matters. Among its core areas of expertise are real estate financing, disputes concerning the expropriation of land and the international tax structuring of investments in Costa Rican real estate. Key members of the experienced team include Rafael Cañas, who has a strong track record in real estate complex real estate transactions and developments; Robert van der Putten, who combines skills in real estate law and litigation; and José Pablo Arce, an expert in shoreline concession zones, real estate developments and condominium law.

Highlighted for its ‘exceptional commitment to client service’, Arias' practice is largely geared towards corporate real estate, advising multinational companies in key sectors such as manufacturing, business services and software development on real estate issues relating to setting up operations in Costa Rica. The team is frequently called upon to assist both park developers and tenants with lease, purchase and construction agreements relating to industrial park and office facilities. Carlos Camacho, who has extensive expertise in real estate law, in addition to his knowledge of the free trade zone regime, and Vicente Lines, who is well versed in real estate transactions and projects, oversee the team. Senior counsel Vivian Gazel is ‘an expert in real estate law’, providing capable support with due diligence and contract negotiations.

Operating from offices in San José and Flamingo, Guanacaste, ECIJA is well versed in real estate acquisitions, condominium regimes, project development, financings, and regulatory and compliance issues, handling matters across the tourism, residential and commercial sectors. The team’s client base includes local and international developers, hotel and resort owners, and real estate brokers, and is also frequently active in assisting individual investors with the purchase of properties in Costa Rica. Practice head Guillermo Zúñiga plays a prominent role in advising local and foreign investors and lenders in relation to real estate projects and transactions. Senior associate manager Warren Corrales, a specialist in advising real estate developers and condominiums, is also noted.

Thanks to its branches in Guanacaste and Puntarenas, in addition to its main office in San José, Facio & Cañas is a strong choice to advise both individual investors and real estate developers on real estate matters across the residential and hospitality sectors. The team is well versed in the full range of due diligence, zoning and regulatory compliance, acquisitions and leases, condominium regimes and environmental issues relating to luxury resorts and residential developments. Sergio Solera, who has a wealth of experience in real estate matters, particularly in coastal areas, leads the team with Francisco Rucavado, an expert in project development and finance. Senior associate Marco Castegnaro is also noted for his assistance with real estate transactions.

Tactic Legal brings together expertise in real estate, environmental and administrative law to advise on a steady stream of transactions involving both urban and rural properties, with experience ranging from due diligence to land use regulations, registration and cadastral issues, and mortgage processes. Founding partner Javier Escalante steers the team, drawing on his extensive knowledge of foreign investments, real estate transactions, and environmental and energy law, while other key names include senior special counsel Álvaro Cedeño and director Andrés Herrera , who assists clients including US investors with the structuring of real estate projects and purchase and sale agreements.

COLBS Estudio Legal has robust experience of advising on real estate transactions both in San José and in Costa Rica’s coastal areas, acting for individuals as well as realty groups, developers hotels and restaurant franchises. Among its core areas of expertise are sale and purchase transactions, construction contracts, lease agreements and the structuring of residential and tourism developments. Managing partner Sebastián Jiménez, a specialist in build-to-suit and sale-and-leaseback transactions, long-term leases, and free trade zone developments, heads the team. Edwin Rojas, who focuses on real estate disputes, and associate Dominick Delgado are also noted.

Lang & Asociados' ‘exceptional’ team is particularly adept at advising multinational companies on real estate issues relating to their operations in Costa Rica, with a client base that spans the software development, tech, medical devices, manufacturing and business support sectors. Under the leadership of ‘true professional’ Henry Lang, who enjoys a strong profile in foreign investment matters, the team frequently advises major corporations on due diligence, acquisitions, sales, construction agreements and leasing issues stemming from the expansion or downsizing of their presence in the country, as well as with obtaining the required permits. Milena Jaikel and Juan Carlos Cersosimo provide capable support, particularly in free trade zone matters.

Catering to clients across Costa Rica from its offices in San José, Guanacaste and Puntarenas, Quatro Legal acts predominantly on the buyer side of real estate transactions. The firm has a strong presence in the luxury property market, handling a high volume of acquisitions of units in high-end residential developments on behalf of international investors and foreign citizens seeking to relocate. Founding partner Gonzalo Rojas heads up the practice in San José, while the firm’s offering in Guanacaste is overseen by Sonia Aragón, who was promoted to partner in 2024, and is singled out for her ‘excellent knowledge and vast experience’. Associate María Fernanda Baudrit is the key name in the Manuel Antonio office.