Costa Rica vs Indonesia: Surf Property Compared
The median asking price for surf property is $449,000 in Costa Rica (199 priced listings) and $200,000 in Indonesia (27), on International Surf Properties as of 12 November 2026. Its surf break guide covers 24 breaks in Costa Rica and 37 in Indonesia.
Last updated · Asking prices in US dollars from live listings
- Costa Rica median
- $449,000
- Indonesia median
- $200,000
- Costa Rica surf breaks
- 24
- Indonesia surf breaks
- 37
Costa Rica and Indonesia side by side
Prices are asking prices in US dollars; figures in brackets are the listings behind a median. A dash means too little data to state the figure.
| Figure | Costa Rica | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Market | ||
| Surf properties for sale | 205 | 31 |
| Median asking price | $449,000 | $200,000 |
| Lowest asking price | $15,000 | $27,000 |
| Median price — Lots & Land | $150,000 (81) | $150,000 (15) |
| Median price — Villas & Houses | $449,000 (79) | $402,500 (11) |
| Median price — Surf Resorts & Camps | $1,200,000 (34) | $950,000 (5) |
| Median price — Commercial Properties | $1,095,000 (6) | — |
| Median price — Multi-Family Property | $1,500,000 (3) | — |
| Beachfront listings | 41 | 17 |
| Walk-to-surf listings | 87 | 19 |
| Surf | ||
| Surf breaks in the guide | 24 | 37 |
| Breaks for beginners | 3 | 6 |
| Breaks for intermediates | 17 | 25 |
| Breaks for advanced surfers | 10 | 31 |
| Breaks by wave type | Beach 13, Point 5, Reef 4 | Reef 31, Point 6, Beach 2 |
| Months most breaks are at their best | March to October | April to October |
Frequently asked questions
Is surf property cheaper in Costa Rica or Indonesia?
By median asking price, Indonesia is cheaper: $200,000 against $449,000 in Costa Rica, or about 55% lower (International Surf Properties listings, 12 November 2026). These are asking prices, not sale prices, and they depend on the mix of land, homes and resorts for sale.
Does Costa Rica or Indonesia have more surf breaks?
The International Surf Properties surf break guide lists 37 breaks in Indonesia and 24 in Costa Rica. Of those, 6 in Indonesia and 3 in Costa Rica are rated suitable for beginners.
When is the best time to surf in Costa Rica and Indonesia?
Going by the breaks in the International Surf Properties guide, the most breaks are at their best in March to October in Costa Rica, and in April to October in Indonesia.
Ownership terms to know
How foreigners hold coastal property differs by country. These definitions are general information, not legal advice — confirm with a licensed local attorney.
Costa Rica
- Coastal concession
- A coastal concession is a government-granted right to occupy, use and build on public coastal land for a fixed term, under conditions set by the grant. It is not ownership: the land stays public, and the concession can be lost if its conditions are broken.
- Escritura pública
- An escritura pública is a public deed: the formal document, drawn up and certified by a notary, that transfers ownership of real estate in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries. It is then recorded in the public property registry.
- Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZMT)
- Costa Rica's Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZMT) is the 200-metre strip of coast measured inland from the mean high-tide line. The first 50 metres are public and cannot be owned or built on; most of the remaining 150 metres can only be held under a municipal concession, not owned outright.
Indonesia
- Hak guna bangunan (HGB)
- Hak guna bangunan (HGB, right to build) is an Indonesian title to construct and own buildings on land for a fixed, extendable term. Indonesian companies, including foreign-owned PT PMA companies, can hold it.
- Hak milik
- Hak milik is freehold ownership of land in Indonesia, the strongest land title there, and it is reserved for Indonesian citizens. Foreigners cannot hold it, and arrangements that put a foreigner's land in an Indonesian nominee's name are not legally protected.
- Hak pakai
- Hak pakai (right to use) is an Indonesian land title that a foreigner holding a residence permit can use for a home. It is granted for a fixed initial term that can be extended and renewed.
- Leasehold
- Leasehold is the right to use land or a building for a fixed number of years under a lease, after which it returns to the owner. Where foreigners cannot own land — Indonesia, the Philippines — a long registered lease is a common way to secure a villa or surf-camp site.
- PT PMA
- A PT PMA is an Indonesian limited-liability company with foreign shareholders. It can hold land under a right-to-build (HGB) title for its business, such as a surf camp or villa rental.
Explore Costa Rica and Indonesia
Methodology
- Listing counts and prices come from every approved, active for-sale listing on International Surf Properties; they are sellers' asking prices in US dollars, not sale prices. No median is shown for fewer than 3 priced listings.
- Surf figures come from the active breaks in the International Surf Properties surf break guide, as recorded for each break; a break can count towards more than one type or level. Surf figures are shown for countries with at least 3 breaks.
- Ownership rules are not compared here: they depend on the property and change over time. See the glossary terms for each country and confirm with a licensed local attorney.