decentrahomes.com

Rainforest ocean-view villa in Manuel Antonio lit at dusk, a luxury custom home by Decentra Homes

Luxury custom home builder in Costa Rica

Award-winning homes and developments, built in any construction system.

Projects start at $350,000 USD

Rated 5.0 from 12 Google reviews

Homes we have built

Concrete, hybrid and steel homes from Flamingo to the South Pacific.

Aerial view of Casa Dos Hermanas, a three-storey multi-unit home with a pool in Altos de Flamingo

Casa Dos Hermanas

Where
Altos de Flamingo, Guanacaste
Home
Multi-unit, 900 m², pool
Finished
2025

Our showroom. A building of separate units over the bay at Flamingo, minutes from the marina, with a shared pool deck.

See the project
  • Casa Dos Hermanas seen from the street, white volumes with glass balconies
  • Rear of Casa Dos Hermanas with its pool and terraces
  • The view over Flamingo bay from Altos de Flamingo
  1. Entrance and driveway of the rainforest villa in Manuel Antonio at dusk

    Rainforest ocean-view villa

    Manuel Antonio, Central Pacific

    Seven bedrooms and seven baths over 557 m², with an infinity pool looking out over the rainforest canopy.

  2. Pool and palm-lined garden at Casa de Acero in Altos de Flamingo

    Casa de Acero

    Altos de Flamingo, Guanacaste

    Three bedrooms, two full and two half baths, finished in 2023 in steel and concrete.

  3. Jungle house in Uvita with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by forest

    Uvita jungle house

    Uvita, South Pacific

    Four bedrooms and four baths in the forest above Uvita, running on solar, with a pool facing the coast.

  4. Villa Pochote, a white two-storey home with a palapa roof beside it

    Villa Pochote

    Punta Islita, Guanacaste

    Four bedrooms and four baths on the Nicoya coast, with wide glass under a deep roof.

Built in any construction system

We build in concrete, hybrid and steel, and in any other system your design calls for. We recommend the one that suits your lot, your design and your budget.

  • Concrete block and poured concrete

    The standard way to build in Costa Rica: solid, familiar to every trade and easy to maintain, from block walls to large poured spans and cantilevers.

  • Hybrid, ICF and panel systems

    Concrete where it earns its place, such as foundations and wet areas, combined with lighter systems above, or insulated concrete forms for thermal comfort.

  • Steel frame

    We also build in light-gauge and structural steel when a remote lot, a tight timeline or a large open plan calls for it.

Compare the construction systems

Know the land before you buy it

Most problems in a Costa Rica build start with the lot: no water letter, a slope that needs retaining walls, a road that floods, a boundary that does not match the survey. We find them before you sign.

Go ahead with your build and the consulting fee is credited to your construction. Surveys and soil studies are paid separately.

How land consulting works

  1. Choose the lot

    We shortlist lots that fit your budget and plans, and tour them with you or for you.

  2. Inspect it on site

    Access, slope, drainage, utilities and buildable area, with a written report.

  3. Survey the terrain

    A topographic survey in CAD and PDF, ready for design and permits.

  4. Test the soil

    A soil study tells the engineer what foundation the land needs before you commit.

Surveyor working on a dry-season hillside lot in Guanacaste

One team, from the first site visit to the keys.

Most of our clients live overseas. Instead of hiring a surveyor, an architect, an engineer, a permit runner and a contractor, you work with us, in English or Spanish.

Years building internationally
10+
Years building in Costa Rica
6
Months for a typical build
5 to 8
Residential and commercial projects
50+

Developments and financing

We build large developments, too

Gated communities, multi-unit residential, hospitality and commercial projects, planned, permitted and built by one team. Need a site? We work directly with landowners across Costa Rica and can source the land for larger developments.

Discuss a development

Financing for qualified clients

Financing is hard to get in Costa Rica as a foreign buyer. Qualified clients can finance their build through our third-party lending partner. Ask us and we will put you in touch.

Ask about financing

The people building your home

Over 40 years of combined experience in engineering, project management and construction logistics.

  • Sergio Cerceño

    Sergio Cerceño

    CFIA-licensed architect, head of construction

    Designs our homes, signs the plans and runs every site, with 15 years on large residential projects.

  • Ariel Glasner

    Ariel Glasner

    Senior civil engineer

    Leads our structural engineering across concrete, hybrid and steel systems.

  • Juan Aguilar

    Juan Aguilar

    Regional manager and logistics

    Runs the material supply chain, so every site gets what it needs on time.

Design and construction licensed with the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica through SIM SRL, the engineering firm of our architect Sergio Cerceño.

How to check a home builder in Costa Rica

Anyone can call themselves a builder. Before you sign with anyone, us included, check these five things.

  • CFIA registration

    Construction plans must be signed and filed by an engineer or architect who is a member of the CFIA. Look up both the company and the professional who will sign your plans in the CFIA directory.

  • Homes you can walk through

    Ask to visit a finished home, not just renders. Our showroom in Altos de Flamingo is open by appointment.

  • A contract that lists everything

    Scope, finishes, payment milestones and how changes are priced, all in writing. Anything the contract leaves out, even doors, windows or sinks, becomes an extra later.

  • Checks during the build

    Inspections at each milestone and a written record of every change and approval.

  • A written handover

    A handover list, warranties and completion documents when you get the keys.

How long it takes, from first call to keys

Design and permits come first and usually take a few months, depending on the lot, the water letter and the municipality. Construction then takes 5 to 8 months on site for most of our homes. Very large homes take longer.

Many builders like to start earthworks and foundations in the dry season, roughly December to April. We plan your schedule around the lot and the rains.

  • Land check

    Site visit, topographic survey and soil study before you buy.

  • Design

    3D model, renders and construction plans by our CFIA-licensed architect.

  • Permits

    CFIA registration, the water letter and the municipal permit.

  • Construction

    5 to 8 months on site for most homes.

  • Handover

    Walkthrough, snag list and the keys.

“We have had a great experience with Decentra. Their follow up skills are impeccable and they are a one stop shop for all phases of your build.”

James Whitley, on Google

“I was lucky enough to find Decentra Homes after a long search for the perfect home construction company. Sergio and Sean have been amazing.”

Paul Reece, on Google

Building in Costa Rica, answered

How much does it cost to build a home in Costa Rica in 2026?

Construction runs about $800 to $1,500 per square meter for an essential finish, $1,500 to $2,000 for a classic finish and $2,000 to $3,000 or more for a luxury home, before land. Add professional fees, the municipal permit, insurance, site work and a 10 to 15% contingency. Our cost guide breaks each one down. Our projects start at $350,000.

Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in Costa Rica?

Building is often more cost-effective than buying. You avoid the hidden repair costs of older homes and get a home designed for your needs and Costa Rica's climate.

Do you need building permits in Costa Rica?

Yes. We handle permit applications and approvals for you as part of the build.

Can a US citizen own a home in Costa Rica?

Yes. There are no restrictions on foreigners owning titled property. We help you work through the local real estate and construction rules.

Are property taxes high in Costa Rica?

No. Property tax is typically around 0.25% of the property's value each year.

What is the best material to build a house in Costa Rica?

There is no single best material. Concrete block, poured concrete, hybrid systems and steel frame all perform well when they are engineered to Costa Rica's seismic code. We recommend the system that suits your lot, design and budget, and price the options side by side.

Do you help clients find a plot of land?

Yes. We help you choose a lot that fits your goals, and inspect it with a site evaluation, topographic survey and soil study before you buy.

Do you help with the legal work?

Yes. We guide you through every step, including the legal process of buying land and building.

Do you have a showroom?

Yes, in Playa Flamingo. Contact us to schedule a tour with our team.

How long does it take to build a house?

Most of our homes are completed in 5 to 8 months. Very large projects can take longer.

I don't have an architect or design. Can you provide one?

Yes. Our architect will design your home with you.

Where in Costa Rica do you build?

Anywhere in Costa Rica, from Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula to the Central Valley and the South Pacific.

Can foreigners own beachfront property in Costa Rica?

Titled land, yes, with the same rights as citizens. The maritime zone is different. The first 50 meters from the ordinary high tide line are public, and land in the zone behind them is held by concession, not title. A foreigner needs five years of continuous residence to hold a concession directly. We check a lot's status before you buy.

How do I check that a builder is licensed in Costa Rica?

Look up the company and the engineer or architect in the CFIA directory, where an active firm is listed as inscrita. Only CFIA members can file construction plans for a permit. Our plans are signed by Sergio Cerceño, a CFIA-licensed architect.

When is the best time to start building in Costa Rica?

Design and permits can run at any time of year. Many builders prefer to start site work and foundations in the dry season, roughly December to April, when excavation and concrete pours are easier.

Do I need to be in Costa Rica while my home is built?

No. Most of our clients live abroad. You approve the design on video calls, get regular photo and video updates, and visit when you choose.

Tell us about your project

The fastest way to reach us is WhatsApp. Or send the form and we reply within one business day.

Projects start at $350,000 USD

Showroom
Altos de Flamingo, Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, by appointment
Licensing
CFIA certified under SIM SRL

Projects start at $350,000 USD. We reply within one business day.

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