Costa Rica Livin’
A modern Guanacaste estate at dusk, its pool reflecting the lit interior

Guanacaste · Arenal · Central & South Pacific

Costa Rica Livin’ Realty SA

Expats helping expats buy and sell your dream homes.

Why we’re here

We’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to.

We exist to guide foreign buyers through the Costa Rican buying and selling process — with insight, real experience, and a network of tested lawyers, builders, surveyors, and inspectors who’ve earned their place at our table.

We help Costa Ricans and foreigners alike sell their properties to any and all buyers. Our approach is honest dialogue, not pressure. If a property has issues, we’ll tell you — whether you want to hear it or not.

Eight years in Costa Rican real estate. Twelve years living it — seven in Playas del Coco, five in Ocotal.

Our Pura Vida customer approach

What clients say

In their own words

  • I had an excellent experience working with Ian Shaw as my realtor. He truly went above and beyond to help me find the right property. Ian was incredibly patient, professional, and attentive throughout the entire process, taking the time to show me multiple properties and answer all of my questions. What really stood out to me was how dedicated he was to making the experience as easy as possible. He even picked me up from the airport and took me to view an apartment, which was incredibly thoughtful and went far beyond what I expected from a realtor. I highly recommend Ian Shaw to anyone looking for a realtor who genuinely cares about his clients and is willing to go the extra mile. Thank you, Ian, for all your help and dedication!

    Daniel

    Las Vegas, USA

  • Working with Ian in Costa Rica was a game-changer for us. We originally traveled there with zero intention of buying real estate, but after overhearing Ian chatting about local properties on the beach, my curiosity was piqued. The next day, I approached him, and he immediately offered to show us around Playas del Coco. He gave us a comprehensive tour of the town, showing us the full spectrum of available real estate—from raw land and entry-level condos near the beach to high-end luxury properties with stunning views. Once we returned to Canada, we couldn't stop thinking about the area. We reached out to Ian expressing interest in a specific condo complex, and within just a few days, he went door-knocking until he found a seller willing to sell within our target price range. Navigating real estate in a foreign country can be intimidating, but what set Ian apart was his vast network of highly vetted professionals. Every single contact he referred us to—from lawyers and escrow agents to accountants, internet providers, and even the local bank manager—were people we felt we could trust. Because of the caliber of these professionals, we felt completely secure knowing we were never being misdirected or taken advantage of, giving us peace of mind throughout the process. We are immensely grateful for Ian's expertise, honesty, and guidance, and we recommend him without reservation to anyone looking to buy in Playas Del Coco. His daily Facebook posts also offer a wealth of information to anyone considering Costa Rica.

    Shawn and Diana

    Ottawa, Canada