SpanishSpeakingPractice🇨🇷 Costa Rica guide

Renting an apartment in Costa Rica

Navigate tico rentals: condominios, fianzas, and the pura vida lease.

Costa Rican rentals split into two worlds: city apartments in San José (Escazú, Santa Ana, Rohrmoser) and beach houses in Tamarindo, Santa Teresa and Puerto Viejo. The city market is formal — leases, fianzas (deposits), and inmobiliarias. The beach towns are informal — handshake deals, WhatsApp groups, and cash.

Most landlords ask for a 'fianza' (security deposit, usually 1 month), a copy of your passport, and proof of income. Some accept 3 months prepaid instead of a fianza for foreigners. These dialogues cover both the city and beach styles.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
alquilerrent
apartamento / aptoapartment
casa / chalethouse / cottage
amueblado / sin amueblarfurnished / unfurnished
fianzasecurity deposit
contratolease contract
inmobiliariareal estate agency
condominiogated community / condo complex
seguridad 24 horas24-hour security
parqueoparking
bodegastorage room
servicios incluidosutilities included
luz, agua, internetelectricity, water, internet
amuebladofurnished
zonaneighborhood / area

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

Asking about a San José listing

WhatsApp to an inmobiliaria in Escazú.

  • You

    Buenas tardes, vi el apartamento en Escazú. ¿Sigue disponible?

    Good afternoon, I saw the apartment in Escazú. Is it still available?

  • Asesora

    Sí, está disponible. ¿Para cuándo lo necesita?

    Yes, it's available. When do you need it?

  • You

    Para el primero del próximo mes. ¿Está amueblado y en condominio?

    For the first of next month. Is it furnished and in a condo complex?

  • Asesora

    Sí, está completamente amueblado. Tiene seguridad 24 horas, piscina y parqueo.

    Yes, fully furnished. Has 24-hour security, pool and parking.

  • You

    ¿Cuánto es la fianza y piden avales?

    How much is the deposit and do you require guarantors?

  • Asesora

    La fianza es un mes. Para extranjeros pedimos tres meses por adelantado o una carta de trabajo.

    Deposit is one month. For foreigners we ask for 3 months upfront or an employment letter.

  • You

    Perfecto. ¿Podemos verlo este fin de semana?

    Perfect. Can we see it this weekend?

Beach town rental by WhatsApp

Inquiring about a house in Santa Teresa.

  • You

    Hola, vi la casa en Santa Teresa en el grupo de Facebook. ¿Sigue libre?

    Hi, I saw the house in Santa Teresa in the Facebook group. Is it still free?

  • Dueño

    Sí, mae. Está libre del primero. Son mil dólares al mes, incluye luz y agua.

    Yes, dude. It's free from the first. $1,000 a month, includes electricity and water.

  • You

    ¿Y internet? ¿Hay buena señal?

    And internet? Is there good signal?

  • Dueño

    Sí, tenemos fibra óptica. Muy rápido para trabajar remoto.

    Yes, we have fiber. Very fast for remote work.

  • You

    Pura vida. ¿Me manda fotos del interior y el contrato?

    Pura vida. Can you send me interior photos and the contract?

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Costa Rica local tips

City = leases. Beach = handshake deals.

In San José and Escazú, expect formal contracts. In Tamarindo and Santa Teresa, many rentals run on verbal agreements and WhatsApp. Always get something in writing.

Fianza is usually negotiable for foreigners

Offer 2–3 months prepaid instead of a local guarantor. Most landlords accept this, especially in beach towns.

Ask about power outages

Beach towns have unstable power. Ask '¿hay cortes de luz frecuentes?' and whether there's a backup generator.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Ask an agency about an apartment: availability, furnished, security, parking, deposit, and guarantor rules.
  2. 02Inquire about a beach house: rent, what's included, internet speed, and power stability.
  3. 03Negotiate 3 months prepaid instead of a fianza for a 6-month lease.

FAQs

How much is rent in San José for an expat?

Furnished 1-bed in Escazú/Santa Ana: $800–$1,500 USD/month. Beach towns (Tamarindo/Santa Teresa): $600–$2,000 depending on proximity to the surf.

Do I need a local guarantor in Costa Rica?

Most landlords accept 2–3 months prepaid in lieu of a local guarantor. In beach towns, cash upfront is the standard for foreigners.

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