By Jules · August 2026
The Real Cost of Owning a Home in Uvita or Ojochal, Costa Rica
Buying a home in Costa Rica is one thing. Understanding what it actually costs to own and maintain one is another.
After years of working with homes throughout Uvita, Ojochal and Costa Rica's Southern Zone, this is something I think buyers should understand before they purchase.
The good news is that property taxes in Costa Rica are relatively low compared with many places in North America. But tropical homes come with their own operating and maintenance expenses—and those can vary enormously from one property to another.
A simple two-bedroom home close to a maintained public road is a very different property to operate than a large ocean-view home with four air conditioners, a pool, extensive landscaping, a private road and multiple systems to maintain.
So what should you realistically budget for?
Electricity: Approximately $150–$400+ per Month
For a typical three-bedroom home with three or four air-conditioning units, I generally see electricity fall somewhere around $150–$400 per month, depending heavily on usage.
If you're running AC throughout the day, expect to be toward the higher end—or beyond it.
Pools, water pumps, hot water, dryers, dehumidifiers and other equipment also contribute.
Whenever possible, I recommend asking to see previous electricity bills before purchasing a property. It gives you a much more realistic picture than estimating based solely on the size of the home.
Pool Maintenance: Approximately $100–$150 per Month
For a typical residential pool, regular maintenance is generally around $100–$150 per month, depending on its size and requirements.
There are also longer-term expenses to consider. Pumps, filters and other pool equipment eventually need repair or replacement.
A pool is absolutely worth it for many homeowners here, but it should be treated as part of the property's regular operating budget.
Landscaping: Approximately $100–$300+ per Month
In the tropics, things grow quickly—especially during rainy season.
For many properties, landscaping runs approximately $100–$300 per month, depending on the size and complexity of the grounds.
Large properties, elaborate tropical gardens, extensive grass areas or steep terrain can cost considerably more.
Air-Conditioning Maintenance: Approximately $60 per Unit
Air conditioning requires regular maintenance in our climate.
A standard service is approximately $60 per unit, and I recommend servicing units at least twice per year.
For a three-bedroom house with four AC units, that's roughly $480 per year in routine AC servicing alone.
Keeping the units properly maintained also helps with efficiency, air quality and preventing larger repair bills.
Internet: Approximately $50–$100 per Month
Depending on your location, provider and service, a reasonable internet budget is approximately $50–$100 per month.
Internet availability is something I would always verify for the specific property rather than assume—particularly when looking farther into the hills or at undeveloped land.
Water: Approximately $20–$50 per Month
Water itself is generally not one of the larger household expenses, and $20–$50 per month is a reasonable range for many homes.
But when you're buying, the bigger question isn't necessarily the monthly bill. It's where the water comes from.
Before purchasing, understand the property's water source, legal water availability, pressure, storage tanks and pumps, particularly if you're purchasing land with plans to build.
Propane: Approximately $20–$80 per Refill
Many homes here use propane for cooking and sometimes other appliances.
As a general guide, a 25 lb tank costs around $20 to refill, while a 100 lb tank is around $80.
How frequently you'll need to refill it depends on what is running on propane and how often the home is occupied.
Septic Maintenance: Approximately $600–$800 When Required
Many properties in the Southern Zone have septic systems.
Some properties will require septic tank cleaning approximately annually, while others will have different maintenance schedules depending on the system, household size and usage.
When required, cleaning can cost approximately $600–$800.
When buying, I recommend understanding where the septic system is located, what type of system it is, its condition and its maintenance history.
Property Management: Approximately $200–$800+ per Month
If you don't live in Costa Rica full-time, property management is another expense to consider.
For many homes, management can range from approximately $200–$800 per month, depending on the property and level of service required.
Large luxury homes, rental properties and properties with more complicated systems or staffing requirements can be considerably higher.
This isn't simply about having someone available when something breaks.
A good property manager is regularly watching the property and coordinating all of the moving parts—maintenance, landscaping, pools, utilities, cleaners, repairs, contractors and emergencies.
In a tropical environment, catching a small problem early can make an enormous difference.
Property Tax in Osa
One expense that surprises many international buyers—in a good way—is Costa Rica's relatively low annual property tax.
For properties in the Canton of Osa, which includes Uvita, Ojochal and much of the surrounding Southern Zone, the standard property tax is 0.25% annually of the property's registered municipal value.
For perspective, if the registered value were:
- $300,000 → approximately $750 per year
- $500,000 → approximately $1,250 per year
- $750,000 → approximately $1,875 per year
- $1,000,000 → approximately $2,500 per year
The important distinction is that the calculation is based on the value registered with the municipal tax administration. These examples are therefore illustrations, not estimates of what a particular property will owe.
Higher-value residential properties may also be subject to Costa Rica's separate Solidarity Tax, so this should be reviewed during the due-diligence process for luxury properties.
Don't Forget the Expenses That Don't Arrive Every Month
This is where buyers need to leave some room in their budget.
Tropical homes need ongoing preventative maintenance.
That can include power washing, particularly after rainy season; exterior and interior paint touch-ups; pest prevention; replacing or repairing pumps and equipment; and managing humidity in homes that aren't occupied full-time.
Then there are roads and driveways.
The farther you are from a well-maintained road, the more you should consider the potential cost of maintaining access to your property.
An incredible private ocean-view home at the top of a mountain can be exactly what you're looking for—but private roads, steep driveways, drainage, erosion and heavy rainfall can all create additional maintenance costs.
The view might be priceless. The road isn't.
Good drainage is also extremely important in the Southern Zone. Culverts, ditches, retaining areas and water management shouldn't be an afterthought when you're evaluating a property.
So, What Does a Typical Home Actually Cost Each Month?
There isn't one number that accurately represents every property.
For a three-bedroom home with a pool, landscaping and several AC units, it's very easy for normal operating expenses to reach several hundred dollars per month before you've accounted for repairs, property management or larger annual maintenance.
A more complex or luxury property can require substantially more.
That's why I encourage buyers not to ask only:
“Can I afford to buy this house?”
Also ask:
“Does the ongoing cost and complexity of this property make sense for how I want to live?”
Those are two very different questions.
Look Beyond the Purchase Price
None of this is meant to discourage anyone from owning property here.
Quite the opposite.
Owning a home in Costa Rica can be incredible. But the happiest owners I work with are generally the ones who understood what they were buying from the beginning.
When I look at a property with a client, I'm not only looking at bedrooms, bathrooms and the view.
I'm looking at the AC units. I'm looking at drainage. I'm asking about water. I'm looking at the driveway. I'm thinking about how someone will maintain the landscaping. I'm considering what happens to the house if the owner leaves Costa Rica for six months.
Because a beautiful house isn't necessarily the same thing as a property that's going to be easy—or economical—to own.
Sometimes spending a little more on the right property can ultimately be much less expensive than buying the wrong one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Owning Property in Costa Rica
How much does it cost per month to own a home in Costa Rica?
There isn't one reliable monthly figure because homes vary enormously.
For a typical three-bedroom home in Uvita or Ojochal, electricity alone may be approximately $150–$400 per month, while pool maintenance can add $100–$150, landscaping approximately $100–$300, internet around $50–$100, and water approximately $20–$50.
You should also budget for AC servicing, septic maintenance where applicable, repairs, power washing, painting, pest control and other preventative maintenance.
Owners who don't live in Costa Rica full-time may also spend approximately $200–$800+ per month on property management, with larger or more complex properties costing more.
How much is property tax in Costa Rica?
The standard municipal property tax in the Canton of Osa is 0.25% annually of the property's registered municipal value.
For example, a property registered at $500,000 would have an illustrative annual property tax of approximately $1,250.
The registered municipal value is what matters for this calculation, so the purchase price alone doesn't necessarily tell you what the tax bill will be.
Higher-value residential properties may also be subject to Costa Rica's Solidarity Tax.
How much does pool maintenance cost in Costa Rica?
For many residential pools in the Uvita and Ojochal area, I generally see regular pool maintenance around $100–$150 per month, depending on the pool's size and requirements.
Owners should also plan for occasional repairs or replacement of pumps, filters and other equipment.
Is electricity expensive in Costa Rica?
Electricity can become a significant household expense depending on how you live.
For a typical three-bedroom home with three or four AC units, I generally see monthly electricity bills of approximately $150–$400, although heavy AC usage, pools, pumps, dryers and other equipment can push consumption higher.
When considering an existing home, ask for previous electricity bills whenever possible.
Do I need a property manager if I don't live in Costa Rica full-time?
I strongly recommend having someone regularly oversee a property if you're away for extended periods.
The tropical environment means a small leak, failed AC unit, drainage issue, humidity problem or pool equipment failure can become much more expensive if nobody notices it for several weeks.
Property management isn't only about responding when something goes wrong. It's about preventing small problems from becoming large ones.
Considering Buying in Uvita or Ojochal?
If you're looking at homes or land in Costa Rica's Southern Zone, I can help you understand not only what you're buying, but what owning it is realistically going to look like.
My work crosses real estate, property management, rentals and relocation, which means I'm looking at a property from both sides of the purchase—before you buy it and long after the keys are handed over.
Julie McLachlan
Real Estate Advisor | Concierge | Lifestyle Specialist The Conscious Concierge Costa Rica