I get this question from people who genuinely can't get away right now, work schedules, health, family, and want to know if that rules them out entirely. It doesn't. A meaningful share of international real estate purchases here close without the buyer ever setting foot on the property in person, and the mechanism that makes it possible is a power of attorney.
How a Remote Closing Actually Works
You sign a power of attorney document, typically notarized and then apostilled in your home country, authorizing your Costa Rican attorney to sign the closing documents on your behalf. Your attorney still runs the same due diligence they would for any purchase, clear title, boundaries, liens, and executes the transfer at closing while you're elsewhere. Confirm the exact wording and scope of the power of attorney with your own attorney before signing anything; it should be specific to this transaction, not open-ended.
What Replaces the In-Person Walkthrough
This is where having an agent with a photography background actually matters. Instead of walking a property yourself, you're relying on detailed photos, video walkthroughs, and honest, specific answers to your questions about condition, noise, and neighbors. A five-minute phone video from someone who knows what to point the camera at tells you far more than the same five minutes from someone who doesn't.
Who This Actually Makes Sense For
Buyers who already know the area, whether from a past visit, time spent renting, or simply years of research, are the ones who most comfortably skip the trip. Investors buying a second or third property in a community they already trust fall into this group too. If this would be your first property in Guanacaste and you don't know the area at all, I'd still recommend at least a video call tour together before committing, even if you can't make the trip in person.
What I'd Never Skip, Even Remotely
Your own independent attorney, and a real due diligence period, escrow deposit, title search, boundary confirmation, regardless of whether you're standing on the property or not. Buying remotely changes how you see the property. It shouldn't change how carefully the legal side gets handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really buy property in Costa Rica without visiting first?
Yes. It's done through a power of attorney, where your attorney executes the closing on your behalf. It's a legitimate, fairly common path, especially for buyers who already know the area or are working from detailed video walkthroughs.
How does a power of attorney work for a remote closing?
You sign a power of attorney document, usually notarized and apostilled in your home country, authorizing your Costa Rican attorney to sign the closing documents on your behalf. Your attorney should walk you through the specific wording before you sign anything.
Is it still worth visiting even if I don't have to?
For a first purchase in an area you don't know well, yes. Photos and video can show you a lot, but they can't tell you how a neighborhood sounds at night or how a commute actually feels. Repeat buyers and investors already familiar with the area are the ones who most comfortably skip the trip.
