What Long-Term Rentals in Costa Rica Really Cost (2026)

Real 2026 prices for furnished long-term rentals in Costa Rica: $900–$1,750/month in Jacó, more in Santa Ana. What's included, and how leases work.

Here are real numbers, not estimates: in our current Jacó portfolio, furnished long-term rentals run from $900 per month for a quiet home near Playa Hermosa to $1,750 per month for a renovated one-bedroom in downtown Jacó Beach. In Santa Ana — the expat-favorite suburb of San José — executive homes run substantially higher, with luxury five-bedroom houses reaching $10,000 per month. Those are published prices from active listings, not averages from a survey.

What a furnished long-term rental includes here

Unlike renting unfurnished on the local market, our long-term rentals are managed end-to-end and typically include:

Full furniture and appliances — arrive with suitcases, nothing else.
Utilities coordination (electricity, water, internet) handled by the property manager.
Maintenance and repairs managed locally — one WhatsApp message, not a hunt for a plumber.
Housekeeping options on request.

That management layer is why furnished expat rentals price above the unfurnished local market — and why most remote workers and new arrivals choose them for their first year.

Price guide by area (our portfolio, 2026)

Jacó Beach downtown: $1,300 to $1,750 per month for one-bedroom furnished units walkable to the beach and restaurants.
Playa Hermosa and south Jacó: $900 to $1,600 per month for houses and gated-community homes — quieter, surf at your door.
Santa Ana / Escazú (San José metro): executive family homes near international schools and private hospitals, roughly $2,500 to $10,000 per month depending on size and community.

How leases work in Costa Rica

Typical terms are 6 to 12 months; Costa Rican law generally favors three-year renewable terms for unfurnished local leases, but furnished expat rentals commonly run on shorter fixed contracts.
Deposits are usually one month; utilities may be capped with overage billed.
Prices are commonly quoted in US dollars, and contracts can be signed in dollars.

Long-term rental vs. buying

A year in a $1,500/month rental costs $18,000 — meaningful, but it buys certainty about the town, the street, and the season before you commit to a purchase. Most of our buyers rented first. Renting long-term with us also means you already have the local team when you're ready to buy.

Every long-term listing we publish is locally owned and locally managed — no remote landlords, no booking-platform fees. See what's available now, or tell us your dates, budget, and must-haves: mail@thecostaricavip.com or WhatsApp +506 6263 1036. One dedicated agent, reply within hours.

Featured property: Quiet Long-Term Rental Near Playa Hermosa