Luxury custom home builder in Costa Rica
Award-winning homes and developments in concrete, hybrid and steel.
Minimum construction budget $350,000 USD, before land
Homes we have built
Concrete, hybrid and steel homes from Flamingo to the South Pacific.
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Casa Dos Hermanas
Altos de Flamingo, Guanacaste
A multi-unit building of 900 m² over the bay at Flamingo, finished in 2025, with a shared pool deck. It also houses our showroom.
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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.
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Casa de Acero
Altos de Flamingo, Guanacaste
Three bedrooms, two full and two half baths, finished in 2023 in steel and concrete.
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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.
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Villa Pochote
Punta Islita, Guanacaste
Four bedrooms and four baths on the Nicoya coast, with wide glass under a deep roof.
Built in concrete, hybrid or steel
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
Concrete where it earns its place, such as foundations and wet areas, combined with lighter steel framing above.
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.
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.
Choose the lot
We shortlist lots that fit your budget and plans, and tour them with you or for you.
Inspect it on site
Access, slope, drainage, utilities and buildable area, with a written report.
Survey the terrain
A topographic survey in CAD and PDF, ready for design and permits.
Test the soil
A soil study tells the engineer what foundation the land needs before you commit.
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+
Every stage of the build
Take the full turnkey package, or bring us in for one stage.
- Land and construction consultingLot selection, inspections, surveys and soil studies
- Architectural designA CFIA-licensed architect, 3D renders and plans
- Permits and water lettersCFIA plans, municipal permits and water availability
- Luxury custom homesTurnkey, from foundations to furniture, ready the day you arrive
- Commercial constructionHospitality, retail and multi-unit buildings
- Pools and outdoor livingInfinity pools, terraces and landscaping
- Renovations and additionsResidential and commercial, planned and permitted
- Concrete, hybrid or steelConcrete block, poured concrete, hybrid and steel frame
Where we build in Costa Rica
From our showroom in Playa Flamingo, we build anywhere in the country. Each town page covers the land, water, permits and drive times there.
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 developmentFinancing 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 financingThe people building your home
Over 40 years of combined experience in engineering, project management and construction logistics.
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
Senior civil engineer
Leads our structural engineering across concrete, hybrid and steel systems.
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.
What it costs to build a home in Costa Rica
With us, construction runs about $700 to $1,800+ per square meter before land, depending on the finish. These are our own 2026 prices, not national averages.
| Finish level | Per m², before land | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | about $700 | Simple layouts and standard finishes |
| Mid-range | about $1,000 | Good finishes, standard spans |
| Upper mid-range | $1,000 to $1,200 | Better finishes and more glass |
| Luxury | $1,500 to $1,800 | Large openings, premium finishes, ocean-view sites |
| Ultra luxury | $1,800+ | Architectural homes with custom everything |
| Pool | about $2,500 per m² of pool | All-in: excavation, shell, finish and filtration |
Add design and plans (about 5.5% to 6% of construction value) and a 10 to 15% contingency. Our minimum construction budget is $350,000 USD, before land. We publish our numbers so you can plan before you call. See the full cost to build a house in Costa Rica guide and how to choose a home builder in Costa Rica.
Guides to building in Costa Rica
Costs, permits, water letters and land, written from the job site. See all guides
How much does it cost to build a pool in Costa Rica?
What a custom pool costs in Costa Rica in 2026, with worked examples by size from a plunge pool to a large family pool,…
Water letter in Costa Rica: what it is, who issues it and how to get one
The water letter decides whether a lot in Costa Rica can be built on at all. This guide explains who issues it, how to…
How long does it take to build a house in Costa Rica?
A phase-by-phase timeline for building a custom home in Costa Rica, from land checks and design to CFIA plans, the municipal permit, construction and…
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.
Google reviews
“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.”
“I was lucky enough to find Decentra Homes after a long search for the perfect home construction company. Sergio and Sean have been amazing.”
Building in Costa Rica, answered
How much does it cost to build a home in Costa Rica in 2026?
Construction runs about $700 per square meter for a basic finish, about $1,000 mid-range, $1,000 to $1,200 upper mid-range, $1,500 to $1,800 luxury and $1,800+ ultra luxury, 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 minimum construction budget is $350,000, before land.
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.
Minimum construction budget $350,000 USD, before land
Message us on WhatsApp- +506 8733-2930
- Phone
- +1 503-994-8017
- Showroom
- Altos de Flamingo, Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, by appointment
- Licensing
- CFIA certified under SIM SRL