Rental Listing Scams in Costa Rica
Fraudulent vacation and long-term rental listings target both tourists and Costa Rican residents, collecting deposits via SINPE Móvil or wire transfer for properties that are unavailable or non-existent.
Part of: Rental Listing Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Costa Rica's thriving tourism sector and active rental market create fertile ground for rental listing fraud. Fake vacation rental listings on Facebook, OLX, and lookalike Airbnb-style sites target tourists booking beach and mountain properties, while fraudulent long-term rental ads target Costa Rican residents and relocating expats.
Deposits are collected via SINPE Móvil or direct bank transfer, and the property either does not exist as described, belongs to someone unaware it is being rented, or is listed at a different price by the actual owner.
How this scam works on Costa Rica
A vacation rental listing for a beach house in Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio appears on Facebook or a local classifieds site with professional photos (often stolen from legitimate listings) at below-market rates. Contact via WhatsApp triggers urgent deposit demands to 'secure the dates' before the listing is taken by another booker.
For long-term rentals, fraudsters contact expat Facebook groups advertising apartments in Escazú or Santa Ana — high-demand areas — at competitive prices. A SINPE deposit of one or two months' rent is requested before the lease is signed, after which the 'landlord' vanishes.
Some operations involve fraudsters who genuinely have access to a property for one booking but then fraudulently list it to multiple renters, collecting deposits from all before the deception is discovered at check-in.
Common red flags
- Rental price significantly below comparable Airbnb or local market rates
- Landlord insists on SINPE Móvil deposit before allowing a property visit
- Property photos appear on multiple different listings with different contact details
- Landlord is unavailable for an in-person viewing or video call of the property
- Urgency pressure: other applicants are interested and the property will be taken
- No formal rental contract offered before deposit payment is requested
How to protect yourself
- Always inspect a property in person or via live video call before paying any deposit
- Verify the landlord's identity and ownership through the Registro Nacional at registronacional.go.cr
- Use Airbnb or VRBO's secure payment systems for vacation rentals — they offer dispute protection
- Never pay a deposit before signing a written rental agreement
- Search the property address on Airbnb and other platforms to identify duplicate listings
- Use a licensed real estate agent (corredor de bienes raíces) for long-term rentals
How to report it
- Report to the OIJ at oij.go.cr for fraud
- File a consumer protection complaint with MEIC at meic.go.cr
- Report duplicate Airbnb listings to Airbnb Trust and Safety
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify property ownership in Costa Rica?
Use the Registro Nacional public search at registronacional.go.cr to look up the folio real (property ID number) and confirm the registered owner's name matches the person you are dealing with.