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Private Lending in Costa Rica

Wondering What To Do With Your Cash?

Earn 9% to 16% annually — secured by Costa Rica real estate. First-position mortgage. Terms from 6 months to 3 years. US dollar loans.

Moving to Costa Rica but not ready to retire? You can’t take a job here until you have the right residency, but you can lend your money. GAP Investments connects private lenders with Costa Rica property owners who need a loan. Every loan has a real guarantee: the property, secured by a first-degree mortgage registered in the National Registry.

✓ 9%–16% Annual Returns
✓ 6–36 Month Terms
✓ First-Lien Protection
✓ Up to 50% LTV
✓ US Dollar Loans
Lending in Costa Rica for over 20 years·Glenn Tellier and Steven Stewart: over 30 years of experience·First-degree mortgages registered in the National Registry·GAP does the due diligence for you
The Smart Lender’s Advantage

A Conservative Approach Starts With The Right Loan

GAP encourages lenders to start with loans near the 9% end of the range: a lower loan-to-value, a good property and a clear repayment plan. That is where most of our loans are, so your money is usually placed sooner. You review every loan before you commit.

GROWTH LENDER
14–16%
Annual Return

Higher returns on more complex loans. These come along less often, so they suit experienced lenders who don’t mind waiting between loans.

★ Most Deal Flow — GAP Recommends
CONSERVATIVE LENDER
9–10%
Annual Return

GAP favors conservative loans with a lower LTV, a strong property and a realistic repayment plan. You review each loan before you commit.

MODERATE LENDER
11–13%
Annual Return

A middle ground with good deal flow. Suits lenders with some private lending experience.

How GAP Reviews Lender Protection

Your Capital Is Secured By Real Property

Every loan is secured by a first-position mortgage registered against Costa Rica real estate. Conservative loan-to-value means the borrower has significant equity at stake — and you have significant protection.

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First-Position Mortgage

Every GAP lender must hold first-lien position. GAP never arranges second-position loans. Any existing mortgage must be paid off before or at closing so the new lender holds first-lien position. If a borrower doesn’t pay, the registered mortgage lets the lender ask the court to auction the property, and the lender’s interest and capital are paid from the sale before the borrower receives anything.

📊
Lower LTV — A Stronger Equity Cushion

GAP prefers borrowing around 30% of property value or less, with 50% the maximum considered. At 30%, the property is worth more than three times the loan.

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US Dollar Loans

Loans are made, paid and repaid in US dollars.

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Steady Expat Demand

Thousands of North Americans and Europeans own property in Costa Rica and need private financing. That demand keeps deals flowing to GAP lenders.

Experienced Guidance

Led By Someone Who Has Done This For Decades

GAP Investments is led by Glenn Tellier and the Grupo GAP team, who have been structuring private real estate financing in Costa Rica for years. Every deal is reviewed for collateral, structure, documentation, and closing quality before a lender is introduced to it.

You do not need to understand Costa Rica law, the property registry, or the local lending process. GAP handles the due diligence, legal structure, and closing so you can focus on your return.

Collateral-focused review
Conservative LTV discipline
Terms agreed before closing
First-lien lender protection

Glenn Tellier, founder of GAP Investments, standing outdoors above the Central Valley in Costa Rica

Glenn Tellier — Founder

Decades of financing experience in Costa Rica private lending, structuring deals that protect lenders first.

How It Works

Three Steps To Earning In Costa Rica

The process is designed to keep things clear before any capital is committed.

1

Tell Us Your Appetite

Share how much you want to lend, your preferred rate range, and your ideal term length. GAP matches you to qualified borrowers.

2

Review The Deal

GAP presents the property, loan amount, LTV, borrower request, and proposed terms. You decide whether to proceed.

3

Close And Start Earning

GAP handles the legal structure, registration, and closing. You are placed in a first-lien position and begin receiving monthly interest.

Is GAP Right For You?

You’ll Enjoy Working With Us If…

You Want Your Money Backed By Real Property

Every loan is secured by a first-lien position on Costa Rica real estate, registered in the National Registry, with the borrower holding plenty of equity in the property.

You Like Steady Monthly Interest

You would rather earn monthly interest on a well-secured loan than ride the ups and downs of the market, in US dollars, starting from US$50,000.

You Want The Homework Done For You

GAP checks the title, the property value and the borrower before a deal ever reaches you, and you review every loan before you commit.

Sound like you? Talk to Lawsen on WhatsApp +506 4001 6413 or at [email protected].

From The Blog

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Practical guides on how lending works, what protects your capital, and how to evaluate opportunities in Costa Rica’s private credit market.


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The Grupo GAP Network

Costa Rica real estate investing — backed by the full GAP network

Real Estate

GAP Real Estate

Browse current Costa Rica property listings. GAP Real Estate sources many of the properties that GAP Investments finances — see the market you are lending into.

Browse Properties →

Borrowers

GAP Equity Loans

For property owners who need capital. GAP Equity Loans is the borrower-facing side of the same lending operation — bridge loans from $50K secured by Costa Rica real estate.

See Loan Options →

Immigration

CRIE — Costa Rica Immigration Experts

For residency and immigration questions, talk to CRIE. CRIE handles the legal process and has worked with the DGME process since 2008.

Explore Residency →

Parent company

Grupo GAP

Grupo GAP is the parent company of GAP Real Estate, GAP Equity Loans, and GAP Investments, connecting the group’s real estate and financing services in Costa Rica.

Meet Grupo GAP →

Institutional capital for fund managers →

Proven Track Record

Why investors choose GAP Investments

Private real estate lending in Costa Rica, structured for passive investors who want consistent, property-secured returns without active management.

9–16%Target annual returns for investors
50%Max LTV — conservative loan-to-value protection
$50KMinimum investment to participate
🔒

First-mortgage security

Every investment is backed by a registered first mortgage on titled Costa Rica real estate — not stocks, bonds, or unsecured notes.

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Passive income structure

Monthly interest payments delivered to investors while the loan is active. No day-to-day management required on your part.

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Stable market

Costa Rica real estate has sustained demand from international buyers for 20+ years, supporting consistent collateral values.

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Full transparency

Every opportunity is presented with the property details, GAP’s valuation, LTV ratio, and borrower exit strategy before you commit capital.

Start Earning

Ready To Put Your Capital To Work In Costa Rica?

Whether you are new to private lending or an experienced capital deployer, GAP can match you to the right loan at the right rate. Tell us your range and we will show you what is available.

Contact GAP Investments
View Lending Opportunities

Questions?
WhatsApp: +506 4001 6413  | |  [email protected]

Standard Loan Valuation And Lender Payments

Who determines the property value?

GAP determines the property value used to calculate LTV, with input and acceptance from the lender. The borrower’s estimate does not determine the approved value or loan amount. Any calculator result is an illustration until GAP and the lender complete their review.

The lender’s agreed rate

For standard private loans, lenders receive the agreed annual rate without GAP fees deducted. A loan agreed at 12% pays the lender 12%; one agreed at 16% pays 16%. Borrowers pay all loan-related fees and costs. This does not describe an after-tax return or guarantee payment.

Early repayment

Early repayment carries a penalty. The amount and conditions vary by lender and will be explained when GAP reviews your proposed loan terms with you.

These are standard property-loan guidelines. Major-project financing from US$1 million is assessed separately.

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