Robert F. (Bob) Davey has spent over three decades at the forefront of Costa Rica’s luxury real estate market. A past multi-term President of CRGAR — the Costa Rica Association of REALTORS® — and a specialist in fine residential estates, beachfront developments, and premium commercial parcels, Bob is one of the most trusted voices in the country’s high-end property sector. Halfway through 2026, he shares his perspective on where the market stands, what buyers and sellers should know right now, and why Costa Rica continues to attract the world’s most discerning investors.
The Scarcest Luxury Property in Costa Rica Right Now
If you’re searching for a six-bedroom-plus estate in Costa Rica, you already know what I know: there simply aren’t many to choose from. Demand for large-format luxury homes has significantly outpaced supply, and that imbalance is only becoming more pronounced. Buyers looking for this caliber of property need to move decisively when the right home surfaces — because it won’t stay available for long.
What Luxury Buyers in Costa Rica Will and Won’t Compromise On
En suite bathrooms are non-negotiable at the top of the market. Every bedroom in a true luxury property is expected to have its own private bath — that is the baseline, not an upgrade. Interestingly, what buyers are showing more flexibility on is the size of the pool. Large pools were once a defining marker of luxury in this market. Today, that calculus has shifted, and a world-class home can stand on its own merits without an Olympic-scale pool anchoring the grounds.
Summer 2026: Costa Rica’s Strongest Season for Luxury Investors
Summer is our peak season for investor activity, and 2026 is proving no exception. Far from any pullback, the vacation and second-home market is performing at full strength. The buyers who make the journey to Costa Rica during these months tend to be the most qualified and the most motivated — they’ve done the research, they’ve made the trip, and they are ready to commit. If you are a seller, your audience is standing right in front of you.
Why Costa Rica Remains a Top Wealth Preservation Play in 2026
Luxury real estate has always carried the promise of wealth preservation, and that promise holds firmly in Costa Rica — but the conversation has evolved. The defining value proposition today is wellness. Costa Rica is synonymous with health, longevity, and a quality of life that simply cannot be replicated in most parts of the world. Our buyers are not just seeking a return on investment. They are investing in a way of living. That alignment between financial prudence and personal wellbeing is what makes Costa Rica real estate uniquely compelling in today’s climate.
Why Luxury Sellers Should List Now — Not in September
The summer months are the most consequential investor months of the entire year in this market. Sellers who choose to wait until September are making a strategic error. The buyers are here now — qualified, capitalized, and actively searching. Listing today means positioning your property in front of the strongest pool of buyers the year will offer. This is not the time to sit on the sidelines.
What a “Good Deal” Looks Like in Today’s Luxury Market
Costa Rica is operating in a sellers’ market — there is no question about that. But value for buyers has not disappeared; it has simply become more nuanced. A good deal today means identifying a property that delivers genuine lifestyle return and quality craftsmanship at a price point that reflects fair market value within this elevated environment. Those opportunities exist, but they require an experienced eye, deep market knowledge, and the willingness to act when the right property comes forward.
Record Sales Signal a New Era of Confidence in Costa Rica Luxury Real Estate
We have broken the three highest sales records across three separate luxury projects so far this year — and what those numbers represent goes beyond price. Each record sale reflects a buyer who chose Costa Rica not as an alternative destination, but as a primary aspiration. The confidence driving this market right now is not speculative. It is rooted in conviction — in the lifestyle, the value, the wellness positioning, and the long-term trajectory of this country as a global luxury destination. The numbers confirm what those of us in the market have been feeling: Costa Rica’s finest chapter is still being written.
About Robert Davey
Robert F. (Bob) Davey began his real estate career in Costa Rica over 35 years ago and is widely regarded as one of the leading experts in the country’s luxury real estate market. A past multi-term President of CRGAR, the Costa Rica Association of REALTORS®, Bob specializes in exclusive fine residential properties, beachfront development and tourist projects, and high-value commercial parcels. Prior to relocating to Costa Rica, he was a licensed contractor in California with expertise in high-end residential construction. An avid surfer, golfer, fly-fisherman, and student of history and business, Bob brings both unmatched professional depth and a genuine love of the pura vida lifestyle to every client relationship.
For more information, please contact Robert F. Davey at bob@bdavey.com or 506 8870 8870
Robert F. Davey is one of the exclusive agents representing the Guanacaste, Costa Rica real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.
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