Costa Rica Expat Living

Name: Costa Rica Expat Living
Address: Quebradas, San Isidro de el General, CR
Telephone: 866-284-2832

Casa
Costa Rica
San Isidro de El General
Costa Rica Expat Living

Scott Bowers
Associate Broker | Coldwell Banker Vesta Group

More than listings. More reliable than crowd-sourced advice. Naturalized Costa Rican.

Carefully curated Costa Rica properties and honest, experience-based guidance for expats. WhatsApp Link:
https://wa.me/50685592686 Associate Broker, Coldwell Banker Vesta Group – Dominical (2015–present). My focus areas are the verdant mountains of Pérez Zeledón and the pristine coastline of the Costa Ballena — two of the most breathtaking and underappreciated corners of this country. I also offer

expat consulting for those making the leap. My story here started in 2001, when I brokered the sale of one of Costa Rica's premier private universities to a U.S. publicly-held education company. Since then, I've arranged eco-intensive vacation tours throughout Costa Rica; worked alongside indigenous tribes to help preserve their cultures and bring their arts and crafts to wider markets; and built a real estate practice helping expats and investors navigate one of the world's most rewarding places to put down roots. Before Costa Rica claimed me, I practiced tax and corporate transactional law in the Carolinas and spent years as a business valuation consultant and M&A advisor across a wide range of industries. That background shapes how I approach every deal. My wife and I have seven grown children between us. When I'm not working, you'll usually find me somewhere in the jungle, or in a mountain river, or maybe on the beach. I've been writing about Costa Rica for over a decade. Check out my eBook on Amazon: The Definitive Guide to Costa Rica Expat Living.

10/08/2026

🌊 Ocean Views Near Uvita for $450,000

This is the kind of coastal property that should get some attention.

Altamar Estate combines ocean views, a 3-bedroom home, nearly half an acre, and a convenient location close to Uvita and the beach—all at a price point that makes it an interesting option for buyers who want the Costa Ballena lifestyle without moving into the higher-end price brackets.

💰 $450,000 USD

📍 Approximate Property Location: 9.194962, -83.769895

Here’s what you’ll find:

🛏️ 3 Bedrooms
🛁 2 Bathrooms
🏡 Approximately 3,000 ft² of construction
🌿 0.49-acre private lot
🌊 Pacific Ocean views
⛰️ Jungle and mountain views
🌴 Landscaped tropical surroundings
☕ Covered outdoor living areas
🏖️ Short drive to the beach
🍽️ Convenient to Uvita, restaurants, shopping and services
🔑 Potential as a full-time home, vacation property, or rental investment

The home is designed around easy tropical living, with open social spaces, plenty of natural light, a spacious kitchen, and outdoor areas where you can enjoy the views and afternoon breezes.

And location is a major part of the appeal.

You're close to Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park, with beaches, waterfalls, restaurants, shopping, surfing and outdoor adventures all within easy reach—while still enjoying a private hillside setting away from town.

For buyers searching for an ocean-view property in Costa Ballena without approaching the million-dollar mark, Altamar Estate offers a lot to consider at $450,000.

🌊 Ocean views.
🏡 Plenty of living space.
🏖️ Close to the beach.
📍 Great access to Uvita.

That combination is worth a closer look.

👇 Interested?

Send me a WhatsApp message with your email address, and I'll send you the complete listing package, full photo gallery, and additional property details.

(https://wa.me/50685592686)

09/08/2026

📖 Sunday Substack ☕🇨🇷

Wherever You Go, There You Are

I'll be honest — 2026 hasn't exactly been my favorite year so far.

So recently, I decided a change of scenery might do me some good and headed from Costa Rica to Colombia for a while.

And you know what?

The stress came with me. 😂

That got me thinking about something that applies to a lot of people considering a move to Costa Rica.

Sometimes we're not just moving toward something. We're also trying to get away from something.

Costa Rica can give you a beautiful environment in which to change your life.

What it can't give you is an escape from yourself.

This week's Sunday Substack is a little more personal — a reflection from my balcony in Colombia on stress, uncertainty, perspective, acceptance, and that wise old truth:

Wherever you go... there you are.

👇 Read it here: https://scottbowerscr.substack.com/p/wherever-you-go-there-you-are

Pura Vida ☕🇨🇷

08/08/2026

🌿 Two Homes. 6+ Acres. A Working Organic Permaculture Property.

For someone dreaming about a more sustainable life in Costa Rica, this one deserves attention.

Located in Quizarra, Pérez Zeledón, this beautiful 6+ acre property combines two residences, an established organic permaculture operation, abundant food production, and a gorgeous year-round creek—all within the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor.

📍 Approximate Property Location: 9.33815, -83.62088

💰 $575,000 USD

And this isn't a property where you have to start from scratch. Much of the work has already been done.

🏡 4-bedroom | 3-bath main home
🏠 Separate 2-bedroom | 1-bath guest house
🌿 More than 6 acres
🍫 Approximately 250 cacao trees, many already producing
☕ Abundant organic coffee in production
🍌 Established food forest with numerous tropical fruits
🌱 Syntropic agriculture and permaculture systems
💦 Gorgeous year-round creek running through the property
🌳 Native forest and tremendous biodiversity
🐒 Monkeys, deer, and abundant birdlife
💧 Rainwater collection and storage
🚗 Easy year-round paved access

One feature I particularly like is that the seller is willing to provide the buyer with instruction on continuing the existing permaculture operation—an enormous advantage for someone attracted to this lifestyle but without years of experience.

The separate guest house also creates plenty of possibilities for family, visitors, rental income, or caretaker accommodations.

And then there's the setting.

The creek winds through mature vegetation while productive areas transition into native forest filled with wildlife. It's a property that feels genuinely alive.

For the right buyer, this isn't simply six acres and two houses.

It's an established foundation for a very different way of living in Costa Rica. 🌿🇨🇷

👇 Full listing, complete photo gallery, and additional property details are in the comments.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a private showing, feel free to reach out: https://wa.me/50685592686

08/08/2026

🇨🇷 I talk a lot about what I love about Costa Rica. But let’s be fair—it’s not perfect. 😏

After living here for more than two and a half decades, I’ve experienced plenty of the good…and a few of the things that can make you want to pull your hair out. 😂

So I decided to expand on my recent reel and take a more detailed look at what I consider the four biggest challenges for expats moving to Costa Rica:

🗣️ Language
🚙 Infrastructure
📑 Bureaucracy
🔐 Crime

And, of course, a few dishonorable mentions 😏—including cost of living, navigating healthcare and cultural adjustment.

This isn’t a “don’t move to Costa Rica” article. Quite the opposite.

It’s about going into a move with your eyes open and understanding that there is no perfect country.

After all these years, knowing both the good and the bad, I’d still choose Costa Rica. 🇨🇷❤️

Because the trick isn’t finding a country without imperfections…

👉 It’s finding the country whose imperfections you can live with.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.costaricaexpatproperties.com/news/the-four-biggest-challenges-for-expats-moving-to-costa-rica

And tell me in the comments: What would you add to the list? 👇

07/08/2026

🌺🇨🇴 I recorded this one today at the Feria de las Flores in Medellín, so I threw in a little footage from the festival.

But the subject is Costa Rica. 🇨🇷

I spend a lot of time talking about what I love about living there, so every once in a while it's only fair to talk about the other side too.

In this reel, I cover what I see as the four biggest challenges for expats moving to Costa Rica:

Language. Infrastructure. Bureaucracy. Crime.

Plus a few dishonorable mentions. 😏

Costa Rica isn't perfect. Neither is Colombia. Neither is anywhere else.

The real question isn't whether a country has problems.

It's whether they're problems you can live with.

I’ll probably expand this into a full article soon and dig into each of these issues in a little more detail.

What would you add to the list? 👇🇨🇷

05/08/2026

🌿🇨🇷 This morning, before heading to the airport, I decided to take a walk through the beautiful Rohrmoser neighborhood of San José.

A simple moment along the way reminded me of something I've been trying to put into words for years.

I've come to believe that Pura Vida is much more than a phrase. 💚 It's a way of looking at life—one that has changed me in ways I never expected.

In this reel, I share one small observation that helped me understand it a little better.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. 😊

What does Pura Vida mean to you?🇨🇷❤️👇

04/08/2026

🏖️ Beach or 🏔️ Mountains?

If you were buying your first home in Costa Rica, which lifestyle would you choose?

Here are two affordable one-bedroom homes, each offering a completely different way to enjoy life in Costa Rica.

🏖️ BEACH OPTION – Ojochal

💰 $225,000 USD

🛏️ 1 Bedroom
🛁 1 Bathroom
🌿 1,703 m² (0.42 acres)
🌴 Peaceful tropical setting
🏖️ Minutes from beautiful beaches
🍽️ Close to Ojochal's renowned restaurants
🔨 Potential to remodel or expand into a two-bedroom home
🔑 Great as a vacation home, retirement retreat, or rental property

🏔️ MOUNTAIN OPTION – Tinamastes

💰 $185,000 USD

🛏️ 1 Bedroom
🛁 1 Bathroom
🏡 367 m² lot
🌄 Cool mountain climate
🌿 Located in the heart of the Tinamastes area
🥬 Close to the famous organic farmers market
🔨 Potential to remodel or expand into a two-bedroom home
🚶 Ideal low-maintenance mountain retreat

Both properties prove you don't need a huge house—or a million-dollar budget—to enjoy the Costa Rica lifestyle.

Whether you're retiring, escaping colder climates, working remotely, or simply looking for a low-maintenance getaway, these two homes offer very different lifestyles at very attractive price points.

So... which would you choose?

👇 Interested in either of these properties?

Send me a WhatsApp message with your email address, and let me know whether you're interested in the Beach or Mountain option. I'll be happy to send you additional information, photos, and answer any questions you have.

https://wa.me/50685592686

02/08/2026

💦 Imagine looking out your window every day at Costa Rica's tallest waterfall.

Not on vacation...

From your own home.

This newly built mountain home in beautiful Tinamastes offers one of the most spectacular views in the Southern Zone—an unobstructed panorama of the majestic Diamanté Waterfall, towering more than 650 feet above the valley below.

📍 Approximate Property Location: 9.25527, -83.78128

💰 Reduced to just $299,000 USD

Here's what you'll find:

🛏️ 2 Bedrooms
🛁 2 Bathrooms
🏡 Newly built in 2023
🌿 Over 1 acre of beautifully landscaped land
💦 Direct views of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall
🌄 Peaceful mountain setting
🏗️ Durable concrete block construction
💧 ASADA water
📶 High-speed fiber optic internet
🏖️ About 30 minutes to Dominical and 30 minutes to San Isidro

Inside, the home offers an open-concept design filled with natural light, quality finishes, and a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape.

Step onto the terrace, and you'll immediately understand what makes this property so special.

The view is simply unforgettable.

Located in the Tinamastes area, you'll also be close to organic farms, hiking trails, local markets, waterfalls, and one of Costa Rica's most appealing mountain communities.

After showing this property yesterday, I was reminded that some homes are really about the setting...

And this setting is exceptional.

At $299,000, it's also one of the best values I've seen for a newly built home with views like these.

👇 Full listing, photos, and additional details are in the comments.

If you'd like to schedule a private showing or have questions about the property or the Tinamastes area, feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to help.

01/08/2026

🏡💰 One of the Biggest Changes in Costa Rica Real Estate

Think you need to pay cash to buy property in Costa Rica?

That used to be true... at least most of the time.

But things have changed.

🏦 Conventional mortgages for qualified U.S. and Canadian buyers are becoming a real option, and it's changing the way many expats approach buying property here.

⚠️ There's a catch, though...

The process isn't quite like getting a mortgage back home, and there are a few surprises that can catch buyers off guard if they aren't prepared.

📖 I break down what's changing, how financing works, and why "cash is king" may still matter more than you think.

👇 Article link in the comments.

💬 Have you always assumed buying property in Costa Rica required paying cash?

31/07/2026

🏡 A Beautiful Mountain Home on 3.5 Acres... for Just $305,000.

If you've been looking for a quality-built Costa Rica home with usable land, beautiful mountain views, and room for horses or other animals, this property deserves a closer look.

Located in the peaceful community of Pacuar, this beautifully maintained home was completed in 2023 and combines traditional mountain charm with modern comfort.

📍 Approximate Property Location: 9.32387, -83.72041

💰 $305,000 USD

Here's what you'll find:

🛏️ 3 Bedrooms
🛁 2 Bathrooms
🏡 2,045 ft² (190 m²) of living space
🌿 3.5 acres of usable land
🐎 Ideal for horses, hobby farming, or other animals
🌳 Mature fruit trees throughout the property
💦 Peaceful creek bordering the land
🌄 Beautiful mountain views
🪵 Constructed with beautiful Chilean pine, guaranteed against insect infestation
🔒 Electric entrance gate and security camera system
🍳 Quality kitchen with imported U.S. fixtures and finishes
❄️ Air conditioning throughout (rarely needed thanks to the pleasant mountain climate)

One feature I really like is the flexibility this property offers.

The existing 3.5 acres provide plenty of room to enjoy country living, while an additional 4 contiguous acres are also available for purchase, allowing you to create a larger estate, equestrian property, hobby farm, or simply enjoy even more privacy.

The soothing sound of the bordering creek, the mature fruit trees, and the surrounding mountain scenery create the kind of peaceful lifestyle many people dream about when moving to Costa Rica.

Despite the tranquil setting, you're still within easy reach of San Isidro's shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and everyday conveniences.

Finding an almost-new home on acreage at this price point is becoming increasingly difficult in Costa Rica's Southern Zone.

👇 Full listing, photos, and additional details are in the comments.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a private showing, feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to help.

Dirección

Quebradas
San Isidro De El General

Teléfono

866-284-2832

Página web

https://www.costaricaexpatproperties.com/, https://linktr.ee/scottbowers

Notificaciones

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