Costa Rica
2

Real estate

logo

ECIJA

More information
The team at ECIJA draws on the bench strength of its March 2023 alliance with Taylor Wessing LLP and offices throughout Europe and Latin America, to advise national and multinational developers, investors and corporates, across such sectors as energy and hospitality, on the financing and construction of projects including resorts and residential communities. The practice’s full offering covers matters ranging from acquisitions of assets, construction agreements, concession processes and environmental matters to the obtaining of financing facilities and setting up property in a condominium regime. The practice is headed by Guillermo Zúñiga, who brings decades of experience to assisting with complex real estate projects and transactions involving concessions in the Maritime Zone, protected areas, condominiums and luxury hotels. Other key figures include Mercedes Sancho, who utilises a background as a real estate, tourism and luxury development in-house counsel, and associate Ana Cristina Mora, who assists with due diligence procedures on properties, procedures to obtain transaction permits and the creation of investment vehicles.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
ecija.com

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘ECIJA is very thorough and clear in communicating all aspects of the file to its clients. It is noticeably different than other firms in the area that I have worked with, who are much less responsive and thorough in their approach.’

  • ‘ECIJA's professional team has extensive knowledge of the particularities of real estate law that can entail risks for a business transaction.'

  • ‘The timely responses to concerns, the ability to interact with other professionals (such as surveyors) and the ability to understand the client's objectives are a significant added value of the firm.'

  • 'Mercedes Sancho is an exceptional lawyer. She puts her clients first and always reviews everything in great detail and makes sure the clients understand everything.'

  • 'We dealt directly with Guillermo Zúñiga - he was our main point of contact, which adds a lot of value to the relationship.'

  • 'Much more direct and effective than other firms.'

  • 'Mercedes Sancho and her team are amazing! They are organised and give a lot of added value to each client, taking time for Zoom calls and walking each client through the process of purchasing in Costa Rica.'

Key clients

  • Argo Estrategia Desarrollo
  • Croc's Resort and Casino
  • Tesoro del Sol
  • Playa Lagarto EcoDevelopment
  • Blue Water Developments
  • Blue Water Properties
  • CRGAR Costa Rica Association of Realtors
  • Micaela Rebelo
  • Claro (America Movil)

Work highlights

Advised Argo Estrategia Desarrollo, which, as a part of a group of investors, bought a commercial and residential building during the construction process and decided to amend and change the scheme of the marketing of the project, converting it into a residential and commercial condominium.
Advised on the negotiations involved in Croc's Resort and Casino in the merger of the operative company into the assets company to simplify the local structure, as the latter entered into an administration agreement with a third-party hotel operator.
Advised Tesoro del Sol on multiple projects.

Lawyers

Practice head

Guillermo Zúñiga