by Mark Price 
1. Buyers From the U.S. and Canada Are Still Coming
And the flow hasn’t slowed — at all.
People are tired of:
- Noise
- Cold weather
- High costs
- Political and economic uncertainty
Costa Rica is the opposite: calm, warm, safe, stable. Most people feel it the second they step off the plane in Liberia.
Now add in the remote-work revolution.
Families can choose lifestyle first.
Retirees want peace and simplicity.
Investors want safety and appreciation even in unpredictable times.
Guanacaste checks every box.
2. Inventory Is Shrinking — Especially Near the Beach
This is the real story heading into 2026.
Areas like:
…simply don’t have much buildable land left.
And what remains is held tightly.
Owners aren’t rushing to let go of ocean-adjacent land, and new construction cannot keep pace with demand.
This creates:
- Price stability
- Predictable appreciation
- A long-term supply squeeze
Especially in walk-to-the-beach neighborhoods.
3. Rentals Will Stay Strong — Especially in Tamarindo & Langosta
Tourism continues to climb. Guanacaste is still the most visited region in Costa Rica.
- Tamarindo remains the rental engine.
- Langosta holds steady with refined, quieter clientele and extremely limited supply.
- Playa Grande rents year-round to surfers, families, retirees.
And the digital nomad wave fills in the shoulder seasons with long-term tenants.
If you’re buying for lifestyle with rental support, 2026 is another strong year.
4. Infrastructure Keeps Improving — Quietly but Consistently
A lot of people underestimate this part.
But the improvements are real:
- Better roads around Huacas, Villarreal, and the back routes
- More fiber-optic internet reaching inland and coastal areas
- New clinics and private medical facilities opening
These slow but consistent upgrades form the backbone of long-term real estate stability.
5. The Relocation Wave Isn’t Slowing Down
If anything, it’s picking up speed.
More people are choosing to live in Costa Rica full-time, including:
- Families prioritizing lifestyle
- Retirees escaping stress
- Professionals leaving high-cost cities in the U.S. and Canada
- Long-term renters transitioning into ownership
This quiet, steady migration is a big reason Guanacaste real estate remains stable and is positioned to grow through 2026 and beyond.
My Area-by-Area Breakdown for 2026
Tamarindo
The pulse of the coast.
Always liquid. Always in demand.
Strong rentals year-round.
Playa Langosta
Scarcity drives this market.
Fee-simple title, walkability, quiet luxury —
This combination creates steady long-term appreciation.
Playa Grande
Loved by families, surfers, and retirees.
Prices still have room to grow.
Potrero / Playa Flamingo
The new Marina continues to reshape the area.
Solid rental and resale performance.
Inland Communities (5–15 minutes)
New villas, gated communities, modern design, strong long-term rental demand.
Better pricing and more inventory flexibility.
2026 Summary: Strong, Stable, and Supported by Real Demand
Here’s the bottom line for anyone looking at Costa Rican real estate — especially along Guanacaste’s coast:
- Demand remains high
- Inventory remains tight
- Rentals remain strong
- Infrastructure keeps improving
- Coastal property stays the safest long-term play
Guanacaste isn’t a bubble.
It’s a lifestyle market with real roots and steady, organic growth.
Thinking About Buying or Selling?
I’m always happy to have a real conversation — no pressure, no push, no nonsense.
Whenever you’re ready, we can talk through your situation.
