Leo Araya: Luxury Real Estate Broker in Guanacaste
I’m Leonardo “Leo” Araya Pacheco, founder of Vacations Real Estate Costa Rica and a Guanacaste local based in Liberia. For more than 15 years I have helped international buyers find, compare and buy luxury homes on the Gold Coast: Hacienda Pinilla, Reserva Conchal, Playa Flamingo and Papagayo.
My story
Hospitality roots. I started in Guanacaste’s hotel industry, managing reservations in Liberia and the office at Ocotalito Resort & Spa in Playa Ocotal. It taught me what makes a property work for guests and for owners.
Real estate since 2007. I began in sales with ERA Costa Rica and became Sales Director at JP Wilson Developments, leading sales and broker relations and closing contracts with local and international buyers.
Founder since 2011. I founded Vacations Real Estate Costa Rica to offer something different: a boutique, personal service for a select group of buyers and owners, built on long-term relationships rather than volume.
A data-driven approach. My background also includes more than a decade in regional operations and demand planning for multinational companies across Latin America. That is why every recommendation comes with numbers: price per square meter against the rest of the community, recent comparables and rental potential.
Why clients work with me
A broker, not a brokerage. I work with a limited number of clients at a time, by choice, so each one has my full attention from the first call to closing, and long after.
- Personal: you work with me directly, not with a rotating team, with showings in person or by video and prompt, honest answers.
- Local: bilingual service in English and Spanish, and a trusted network of attorneys, inspectors, lenders and property managers across Guanacaste.
- Data-driven: market analysis you can verify, such as price per square foot in Hacienda Pinilla, land values lot by lot and pre-construction price lists, so you buy with confidence.
Read my buying guide, compare gated communities in Guanacaste, or contact me for a private consultation.
How We Help
Personal, local and data-driven service for buyers and owners of luxury real estate in Guanacaste.
Buyer Representation
We shortlist, tour and compare properties for you — on site or by video — and coordinate offers, due diligence and closing with trusted local attorneys.
Market Data & Investment Insight
Price per square foot compared with each community, recent comparables and quarterly market reports — plus realistic guidance on rental demand, seasonality and operating costs, built on years in vacation rentals.
Listing & Marketing
For owners, we present luxury properties to international buyers with professional photography, bilingual listings and targeted social media campaigns.
Schedule a Private Consultation
Tell us what you are looking for — community, budget, timing — and Leo will reply personally with a curated selection of properties.
Buying in Costa Rica: FAQ
General guidance for international buyers. Always confirm the details of your purchase with a Costa Rican attorney.
Yes. Foreigners can own titled property in Costa Rica with the same rights as citizens. Land within the maritime zone (the first 200 m from the high-tide line) works differently, through concessions, so it is important to review the type of title before making an offer.
Typically: a signed offer, a refundable deposit held in escrow, a due-diligence period (title, liens, permits and survey review by your attorney), and closing before a Costa Rican notary, who registers the transfer in the National Registry.
Buyers commonly budget around 3.5%–4% of the purchase price for transfer tax, registration stamps and notary fees. Your attorney will confirm the exact amount for each property.
Local bank financing for non-residents is limited, so most purchases are made in cash. Some sellers offer owner financing — for example, Casa Bohemia offers up to 50%.
Yes. Many owners in Hacienda Pinilla, Reserva Conchal and Playa Flamingo rent their homes as luxury vacation rentals through local management companies. We can share realistic expectations for each community.