Should you rent furnished or unfurnished in Costa Rica in 2026?

Amueblado should mean usable furniture for sleeping, sitting, and eating, but inventories vary wildly. Some units keep a fitted kitchen and línea blanca (fridge, stove, washer); others look furnished in photos and arrive half empty. Ask for a room-by-room list before you sign, then photograph meters and furniture at handover: Rental contracts and deposits.

Separate base rent from furniture and condo fees. A furnished label is not a free pass to skip reading who pays water, electricity, internet, and cuota de mantenimiento: Condominium fees and Rent in Costa Rica. Fully furnished or luxury units often ask for a larger deposit, commonly closer to two months instead of one.

Choose furnished when your first 30–90 days are still city-testing in Escazú, Santa Ana, Escalante, Jacó, or Tamarindo and you do not want a full household purchase yet: Living in Escazú, Living in Santa Ana, Living in Jacó, and Living in Tamarindo. Bridge with short-term housing if needed, then convert to a longer Spanish lease: Short-term housing for newcomers.

Choose unfurnished when you will stay years, already own furniture, or the amueblado premium erases the rent advantage versus a neighbouring barrio. Guarantor and deposit screens still apply either way: Rent without a guarantor. Confirm internet and AC timing before beach heat hits the bill: Utilities, internet, and transport. Never wire a furniture “hold fee” for a flat you have not verified: Avoid rental scams.