COSTA RICA PLAYBOOK · BUYER'S BROKERAGE
San José Costa Rica Real Estate: Homes for Sale in the Capital and Central Valley Suburbs
City condos to gated suburban homes and estates, near the country's best hospitals and schools. Mark works only for you, the buyer.
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San José Costa Rica real estate covers the capital and the Central Valley suburbs around it, from city condos to gated family homes and hillside estates, with the top of the market on the west side around Escazú and Santa Ana. Mark Savoia is a buyer's agent, so he represents you and never the seller.
Who buys in San José
Buyers who want everything close: the main international airport, the largest private hospitals, international schools, malls and fiber. That means families, remote workers, healthcare-first retirees and people splitting time with a beach house. It does not suit you if you want to walk to the ocean or hate traffic.
San José's neighborhoods and what they cost
Most foreign buyers skip downtown and buy in the suburbs that ring it.
Escazú and Santa Ana
The west side and the top of the market: gated communities, condos and hillside estates near Multiplaza, Hospital CIMA and Route 27. Costa Rica Playbook's 6-bedroom Villa Real estate is here at US$8,950,000. See our guide to Escazú real estate.
Rohrmoser and La Sabana
Inside the city beside La Sabana Metropolitan Park, home to the National Stadium and the Costa Rican Art Museum. Rohrmoser is residential, with mid-rise apartments and older houses near embassies and offices.
Curridabat and Tres Ríos
The east side. Curridabat sits on the city's southeast edge, and Tres Ríos lies beyond it in La Unión, Cartago, around 1,300 m, mixing traditional homes with newer gated communities.
Heredia and Alajuela
North and northwest, closest to the airport. Heredia is cooler and greener, with lower housing costs than Escazú and Santa Ana. Alajuela is the airport's home canton, minutes from the terminal.
Access, services and daily life
Roads: Route 27, the Circunvalación and General Cañas all jam at rush hour. Live near work and school if you can.
Getting here: SJO is about 20 km northwest of downtown. Clear-road drive times: Heredia about 18 minutes, Escazú about 25, Curridabat about 32, Tres Ríos about 39.
Healthcare: Clínica Bíblica and Hospital Metropolitano downtown, Hospital CIMA in Escazú, and Hospital La Católica in Goicoechea.
Schools: Blue Valley (Escazú), Country Day (Route 27, Alajuela), Pan-American (Belén), European School (Heredia), and Marian Baker and Saint Gregory (Tres Ríos).
Internet: fiber is most widely available in the metro area. Confirm coverage at the address.
Climate: mild all year. Rain falls May to November, heaviest in September and October, usually in the afternoon.
What you get when Mark searches San José for you
A shortlist matched to your budget, commute, schools and security needs.
Video and live-streamed walkthroughs, so you can judge a home remotely.
A micro-area read: traffic at your hours, noise, how close errands really are.
Asking-price context. Costa Rica has no MLS and no public closed-sale data.
Referrals to vetted lawyers for title, permit and condominium checks.
How buying in San José works
Tell Mark your budget, timeline and must-haves.
Review a shortlist and walk the best options in person or on video.
Make an offer. Your lawyer drafts the agreement and your deposit goes into a registered escrow.
Your lawyer runs due diligence: title at the National Registry, liens, permits, plus condominium rules, fees and finances for gated communities and buildings.
Close before a notary, in person or remotely.
Why buyers work with Mark Savoia
Mark runs Costa Rica's only buyer's brokerage and has helped over a thousand people buy in the country. He searches every brokerage and works for the buyer only. Buy through Costa Rica Playbook and he helps you relocate at no charge.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a home in San José, Costa Rica cost?
It ranges widely, from city condos to gated estates. At the top end, Costa Rica Playbook has a 6-bedroom estate in Villa Real, between Escazú and Santa Ana, at US$8,950,000.
What is the best area to live in San José?
Escazú and Santa Ana lead for schools and private hospitals, Rohrmoser for city access, Tres Ríos for a quieter feel and lower prices, and Heredia or Alajuela for the airport.
Can foreigners buy property in San José?
Yes. Foreigners can own titled property in Costa Rica with the same rights as citizens.
How far is San José from the airport?
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is about 20 km northwest of downtown, around 20 to 25 minutes with clear roads.
Is traffic bad in San José?
Yes, at peak hours. Route 27 and the Circunvalación ring road jam regularly, so live close to where you go every day.
Can I buy in San José without visiting?
Yes. Many of Mark's clients shortlist, make an offer and close without flying down, using video walkthroughs and a lawyer for the checks and closing.
Related
Ready to look at specific properties? Talk to Mark about buying in San José.
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