Costa Rica does not need much help selling the dream. The beaches do that. So do the jungle, the weather, the wildlife… But deciding if you could live in Costa Rica takes a different kind of conversation.

How long does it take to get around? What happens when the imported products you love cost more than expected? How close is good healthcare once you leave San José? And if you buy property outside the country’s established expat hubs, what kind of lifestyle are you signing up for?

Those were the questions at the center of our recent Costa Rica Beyond the Brochure: Live Tour Q&A.

Is Costa Rica Still Affordable?

Is Costa Rica still cheaper than the United States or Canada? Yes, but with an important qualification: the gap may be smaller than many people expect.

A major dividing line is local versus imported. Products made or grown in Costa Rica may be inexpensive. Imported brands carry duties and taxes that can push prices considerably higher. Over time, residents also learn where to shop, which local products they enjoy and which imported comforts they are willing to pay extra for.

There is also another factor Americans have felt recently: the strength of the Costa Rican colón against the U.S. dollar, which Lora said had reduced North American buying power compared with previous months.

The larger lesson from the webinar was simple: your Costa Rica budget depends heavily on the Costa Rica lifestyle you intend to recreate.

Grand View Estates Is Not Trying to Be Everywhere Else

Perhaps the most useful part of the conversation came when Betsy asked the question many property presentations avoid:

Who is Grand View Estates wrong for? The project sits in Costa Rica’s tropical highlands near Siquirres, not in a beachfront resort corridor or one of San José’s polished international neighborhoods. The town itself is a working Costa Rican town, and the project is still at an early stage with a relatively small number of completed homes.

Someone who wants to walk to Starbucks every morning, have a large established English-speaking social circle immediately, or fill every evening with nightlife is probably looking for a different part of Costa Rica. Someone comfortable with a more rural setting, more land and a lifestyle integrated with the surrounding Costa Rican area may see the same characteristics very differently.

That difference is also reflected in the economics.

During the webinar, ECI reported homesites beginning at $99,000, with the smallest currently offered around 1.3 acres and others approaching two acres. Estimated closing costs were approximately $6,000, depending on the attorney used.

Lora also discussed local construction costs. One builder has quoted starting costs around $75 per square foot, although she said many North American buyers would be more likely to land around $90 to $130 per square foot, depending on finishes and expectations.

The point was not to pretend every buyer will love the location. It was to give prospective owners enough information to decide if this version of Costa Rica matches what they have in mind.

Can Buying Property Help You Get Residency?

The conversation also covered the main residency routes prospective residents commonly investigate.

At the time of the webinar, Lora outlined:

Pensionado: proof of at least $1,000 per month in guaranteed lifetime pension income.

Rentista: proof of $2,500 per month for two years, or a $60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank.

Inversionista: at least $150,000 invested in qualifying property, a business or another approved investment.

For someone purchasing land and building a home, the investment route may become relevant once the required investment can be documented. Lora also emphasized that the process is not instant and recommended getting proper legal guidance.

Residency rules can change, so prospective applicants should verify current requirements with qualified Costa Rican legal counsel before making decisions.

That disclaimer is worth keeping in the published article.

So Why Take the Tour?

This brings the conversation back to the reason the webinar happened in the first place. The Costa Rica Lifestyle & Investment Tour runs December 4–10, 2026, and Betsy traveled the route herself while helping build the itinerary. The group will experience a part of Costa Rica many conventional tours skip, including the Caribbean coast and Puerto Viejo, alongside Grand View Estates and the everyday infrastructure around Siquirres. The itinerary also includes a charter flight from San José to Limón, wildlife experiences and a closer look at healthcare and daily life.

And importantly, this is not designed as a seven-day vacation package. Guests will certainly see beautiful Costa Rica. They will also meet with people connected to property, legal matters and the practical side of living there. Betsy described the trip as having a strong lifestyle component for people genuinely exploring Costa Rica as a future destination.

That distinction may be the most important takeaway from the whole webinar: Costa Rica may be exactly what you have been looking for. It may not be.

Seeing it properly is a much better way to find out.

Costa Rica Lifestyle & Investment Tour

December 4–10, 2026

At the time of the webinar, the charter aircraft limited the guest group to just 10 travelers, and nine spaces remained.

Early Bird pricing through September 15, 2026:
Solo traveler: $2,050
Two travelers: $3,500
Deposit: $500 non-refundable
Balance due: October 1, 2026

[EXPLORE THE FULL COSTA RICA TOUR →]

Still deciding? Watch the full conversation above.

The webinar was built for people who would rather hear the inconvenient questions before getting on the plane.

Then, if Costa Rica still has your attention, come see it for yourself in December.

ECI Development has been operating in Central America since 1996 with projects in Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Teak Hardwoods is one of several investment opportunities offered under the ECI umbrella.