As we look at Coldwell Banker's August 2026 market data, the story coming out of Guanacaste is one of a region that's clearly regained its footing.
A quick note on the data: the figures below reflect Coldwell Banker Costa Rica's own network of listings and closed sales in Guanacaste — not the region's total real estate market. Other brokerages and private sales aren't captured here, so we'd treat this as a strong directional read on where things stand, not a complete market census.
Where Guanacaste Has Been
Looking back over the past couple of years, Guanacaste went through a real period of adjustment. Pricing pulled back meaningfully through 2024 and into 2025, inventory built up as more sellers listed, and buyers had the upper hand — more selection, more time, and more room to negotiate.
By late 2025, that adjustment gave way to stabilization. And through 2026, our monthly reports have tracked a steady, region-wide recovery: Guanacaste has consistently stood out as one of the country's highest-priced and most active markets, with luxury and lifestyle properties along the coast drawing renewed international interest month after month.
The August Picture
Within our own Guanacaste and Nicoya listings, a few things stand out this month:
- List prices are trending higher. Average list prices for single-family homes in the region have moved up compared to a year ago, continuing the recovery we've been tracking all year.
- Price per square foot is also up, though more modestly — suggesting the gains are broad-based rather than concentrated in a handful of high-end sales.
- Inventory has grown as well, giving buyers a genuinely wider selection than they've had in some time — even as prices climb, which tells us demand is still outpacing what's coming to market.
- Homes are taking a bit longer to sell on average, which is typical of a market absorbing more inventory, and reinforces something we've said consistently: properties that are priced accurately and presented well are the ones moving.
Across the network's national report, condominiums and luxury homes both saw a strong rise in completed sales this year, and Guanacaste has been one of the regions driving that growth in both supply and demand.
What It Means for You
For buyers, this remains a market worth paying close attention to. There's real selection available in Guanacaste right now, but the direction of pricing suggests that selection may not stay this wide indefinitely.
For sellers, the fundamentals we've emphasized all year still hold: accurate, market-informed pricing is what separates a home that sells in a reasonable timeframe from one that lingers.
We'd encourage you to take a look at the full Coldwell Banker Costa Rica Market Report for August — it's a helpful reference if you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply want a clearer picture of where the Guanacaste market stands. And if you'd like a version of this focused specifically on Nosara or another area you're watching, we're always happy to put one together.
Brian Bombard
Real Estate Agent / Partner
Coldwell Banker Surfing Nosara
[email protected] | +506-8887-2671 | Office: +506-2682-0570
