Need any advice or information, message us. We talk to Environmental and Sustainability Lawyer Walter Brenes about the current cases he's fighting in Costa Rica, what is really happening in Pavones as the town is knocked down by the municipality and what he thinks will happen in other beach towns as municipalities and money pours into Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Walter Brenes: wbreness@gmail.com...
Jul 09, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 254
Need any advice or information, message us. Lawyer, José María Pacheco, and I dive into all things land in Costa Rica. We break down the different types of land use, what you can and can’t do with each, and the key risks to watch out for. José also shares insight into common land investment pitfalls and highlights the areas he believes offer solid investment potential across the country. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica....
Jun 25, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 253
Need any advice or information, message us. I sat down with Jake Alexander, founder of tucanchat.io—a WhatsApp translation tool designed to help expats and locals bridge the language gap between English and Tico Spanish. We discussed how the idea for tucanchat.io came about and the ways it’s helping expats navigate daily communication in Costa Rica. Jake also shared his thoughts on current market conditions, including which areas he sees potential in and which ones he’s avoiding for now. Free 15...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 252
Need any advice or information, message us. In this episode, we sit down with Valeria Aguiluz to break down how escrow works in Costa Rica. We cover the key options available to investors, the critical questions to ask your escrow provider, and the advantages of using escrow in real estate transactions. Valeria also shares what sets TLA Escrow apart from other providers in the country. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.co...
Jun 11, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 251
Need any advice or information, message us. Alex McGowin joins me to break down everything you need to know about taxes when investing or owning property in Costa Rica. We cover how income is taxed, strategies for deferrals and depreciation, capital gains considerations, and what expenses you can deduct. We also explore the most tax-efficient ways to structure your assets in Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.c...
Jun 04, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 250
Need any advice or information, message us. I sit down with Catherine Palacios from Done Deal CR to break down everything you need to know—from navigating the buying process to understanding the technical details of financing in Costa Rica, including loan terms, interest rates, LTV ratios, and more. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Catherine Palacios: cpalacios@donedealcr.com...
May 28, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 249
Need any advice or information, message us. We sat down with Real Estate Lawyer Paola Retana to discuss why real estate transactions often go wrong in Costa Rica. She breaks down the role each party plays—lawyers, escrow agents, realtors, and engineers—and shares real examples of what can go wrong and how to avoid it. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Paola Retana: paola@legalshe.com...
May 21, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 248
Need any advice or information, message us. We sit down with James Neale, Data Analyst at Costa Rica Investments, to break down the latest trends in the vacation rental market. He shares insights on where occupancy remains strong, where average daily rates are slipping, and where he still sees promising investment opportunities across Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com...
May 14, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 247
Need any advice or information, message us. We sit down with Gina Briguglio, a real estate consultant based in Guanacaste and Arenal, to dive into what's really happening in Costa Rica's property market. Is it a buyer’s or seller’s market? It depends—and Gina breaks down where the opportunities lie. From emerging beach towns to mountain hotspots, she shares where she’s investing over the next 5–10 years and why. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us:...
May 08, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 246
Need any advice or information, message us. I caught up with Esteban Ossenbach, a young and passionate architect and the founder of Selva Architects and Design. We chatted all things architecture in Costa Rica—from the red flags to watch for when hiring an architect, to the must-ask questions and the big no-no’s when it comes to designing in the tropics. If you’re building, dreaming, or just curious, this one’s full of great tips and stories. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.co...
Apr 30, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 245
Need any advice or information, message us. In this episode, we sit down with Jorge Suarez, a seasoned hydrologist and owner of Geohydro, to explore one of the most critical—and often overlooked—aspects of buying land in Costa Rica: securing a legal water source. Jorge breaks down what it means to purchase property without legal water, the complications it can create, and the strategies to overcome them. We also dive into how cutting-edge technology is transforming the way water is found and how...
Apr 23, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 244
Need any advice or information, message us. We sit down with Casey Halloran, CEO of Costa Rica’s largest luxury travel company, to explore the state of tourism today and where it's headed in 2025. Casey shares how these trends are shaping real estate, development, and investment opportunities across the country. From where he’d put — or avoid putting — his own money, to what he’d do with a $500K investment in Costa Rica, this is a must-listen for anyone eyeing the future of travel and investment...
Apr 17, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 243
Need any advice or information, message us. Jake Alexander, an Investment Specialist and long-term resident of Costa Rica, chats to us about the current state of the BUYERS market, where he sees an opportunity to invest in Costa Rica, and where and what he would NOT invest in in 2025. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: jake@investingcostarica.com...
Apr 09, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 242
Need any advice or information, message us. Two years ago, Kvon Tucker made the move to Costa Rica with his wife and young daughter. We caught up with Kvon to hear about his journey so far—what surprised him, what turned out to be easier than expected, and his advice for anyone considering making Costa Rica their full- or part-time home. Kvon also reflects on how life has changed for him and his family since making the move. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsul...
Apr 02, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Need any advice or information, message us. Cristina Guerrini joins us from Bluezone Legal to break down some critical updates for anyone living in—or thinking about moving to—Costa Rica. We dive into the proposed bill targeting perpetual tourists, explore the different residency options available, and take a look at how the Costa Rican government and local municipalities are stepping up efforts to regulate vacation rentals across the country. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.c...
Mar 26, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 240
Need any advice or information, message us. We chatted with Becky Clower, Broker at Bluewater Properties—one of the largest independent real estate firms in Guanacaste. Becky gives us the latest updates on the market, sharing insights on what’s selling, what’s not, and where smart investors should be looking right now. She also highlights areas that may be cooling off. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Be...
Mar 19, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 239
Need any advice or information, message us. Mariel Gracia, Real Estate Consultant in the Central Valley of Costa Rica (San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela), and I chat about what is happening in the Central Valley and how it acts and performs compared to the coastal areas of Costa Rica. We chat about where she believes the opportunity is and why families love to live in this area of Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.c...
Mar 12, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 238
Need any advice or information, message us. In this episode, Feng Shui expert Laurent Langlais joins us to explore how Feng Shui principles can transform your approach to choosing land, designing and positioning properties, and creating inviting interiors. We delve into what makes Costa Rica truly unique—from its remarkable topography and vibrant energy to the areas set to thrive in the next decade. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on blending traditional wisdom with modern design trends in ...
Mar 05, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 237
Need any advice or information, message us. In this episode, we sit down with lawyer Sonia Aragon to discuss Costa Rica's water challenges—especially in the Guanacaste region. Sonia breaks down the pressing issues, explains how they came about, and shares insights on what options are available for anyone considering construction or property investments in Costa Rica. We also learn about the evolution of the country’s water infrastructure and the factors that have shaped the current landscape. Fr...
Feb 26, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 236
Need any advice or information, message us. In this episode, we sit down with Erick Corrales , Director of Construction & Engineering at Belong Costa Rica , to uncover the right way to build in Costa Rica . Erick shares expert insights on choosing the right builder, setting a realistic budget, understanding timelines, and navigating cost per square foot . Plus, we break down common pitfalls and how to avoid costly mistakes when bringing your dream project to life. Whether you're building a v...
Feb 19, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 235
Need any advice or information, message us. On this episode, we sit down with Dan Chaput, President of Costa Private Loans, to explore the smartest ways to invest in Costa Rica. Dan shares key insights on what to watch out for, the right questions to ask, and where the biggest opportunities are. Plus, he gives us an update on the current market and reveals exactly where he’d put $500K to work in Costa Rica right now. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contac...
Feb 12, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 234
Need any advice or information, message us. We chat with Bary Roberts, Roberts, former President of Canatur, Vice-president of the ICT, Founding Member of Acoprot, President of Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad INBio and President of the “think tank” Center of Tourism Studies (CET) about what will happen to Tourism in Costa Rica in 2025 and what impact this will have on vacation rentals and hotels. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@invest...
Jan 29, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 233
Need any advice or information, message us. We chat with Mark Savoia of Costa Rica Playbook about why he thinks you should invest in the coastline from Uvita to Manuel Antonio, what to invest in, and what not to invest in. He tells us what you must analyse before investing in a vacation rental. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Mark Savoia https://www.costaricaplaybook.com/...
Jan 23, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 232
Need any advice or information, message us. We chat with New York-turned-Costa Rica developer Matthew Blesso about his experience developing SHIFT Costa Rica, a sustainable community-based in the hills of Nosara. He talks about the challenges and tribulations of his experience developing in Costa Rica and what people need to know about investing in Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Shift Costa...
Jan 15, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 231
Need any advice or information, message us. We talked to Mirame Art sales platform founders Jonathan and Belinda about why they started their business, how it supports local artists and the complications of running a business in Costa Rica. They explained why they invested in Playas del Coco and where they would invest $500K in Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Mirame Art: https://miramefinear...
Jan 08, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 230
Need any advice or information, message us. Matt Calhoun of Equity Trust in the US explains how to use your Self Directed Individual Retirement Account (SDIRA) and 401K to invest in Costa Rica and the restrictions. He describes the process and what you can invest in and what you cannot invest in. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Matt Calhoun: m.calhoun@trustetc.com...
Jan 01, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 229
Need any advice or information, message us. Podcast Host and Managing Director for Costa Rica Investments, Richard Bexon, gives his wrap-up on what happened in tourism, vacation rentals, and real estate in 2024 and what he believes will happen in 2025. He talks about where he thinks the opportunity to invest in 2025 will be. Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Webinar Link: https://youtu.be/sJbmkDfSyN8...
Dec 30, 2024•15 min
Need any advice or information, message us. Sarah Elena of Move to Costa Rica and I chat about how to move to Costa Rica and everything you need to know, from banking to cultural differences. We discuss rent v buy, cost of living, and why people don't make it in Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Sarah Elena: sarah@lasarahelena.com...
Dec 25, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 228
Need any advice or information, message us. Residency Lawyer Cristina Guerrini updates us on immigration changes, the recent approvals of investor visas, and what you need to know about applying via this method. She also updates us on what's happening the Nosara real estate market. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Cristina Guerrini: cguerrini@bluezonelegal.com...
Dec 18, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 227
Need any advice or information, message us. We talked to Darren Enns about building sustainably in Costa Rica, which can save you money on building and maintenance in the short and long term. We also chatted about the team you need when building in Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Guest today: Darren Enns: darren@ecobuilderscostarica.com...
Dec 11, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 226
