Second Street offers non-discriminatory mortgage financing in Costa Rica—same standards as the U.S.—and proudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community through our partnership with CCDCR. Learn why Costa Rica is one of the top destinations for LGBTQIA+ buyers.
As Pride Month comes to a close, Second Street is proud to celebrate not just a community, but a commitment—one that we believe should be foundational to homeownership: equality.
Whether you're an American dreaming of a place on the Pacific coast, a Canadian looking for a warm escape you can actually call your own, or someone who’s simply looking for a lender that won’t treat you differently because of you are—we want you to know something clearly: at Second Street, you are welcome here, and you will be treated exactly the same as everyone else.
For us, this isn’t just a compliance requirement to check off—equality and inclusion is something we actively stand behind.
We are proud to be a Sponsor of the Cámara de Comercio Diversa de Costa Rica (CCDCR)—Costa Rica's Diverse Chamber of Commerce. Since 2016, CCDCR has brought together tourism, commercial, and entrepreneurial companies under a philosophy of inclusion and respect, creating a space where LGBTQIA+ businesses and buyers can network, grow, and thrive.
Our sponsorship of CCDCR includes supporting initiatives like the LGBTIQ Trade Mission, which connects business leaders, real estate professionals, and advocates from across Costa Rica and around the world. The Trade Mission is endorsed by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA).
Real estate was specifically highlighted at the Trade Mission as one of the three priorities of the LGBTQ market in Costa Rica—a recognition that homeownership matters deeply to this community, and that the right partners make all the difference.
We are honored to stand alongside CCDCR in that work.
If you’ve ever looked at lending options in Costa Rica, you might be wondering if you’ll be treated differently. At Second Street, the honest answer at Second Street is: no.
Other options are legally permitted to consider factors like age and health status when underwriting a loan. We don’t. We apply the same underwriting standards, the same qualification criteria, the same interest rates, and the same professional care to every single client—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship structure, or family makeup, age, or health status.
Our lending framework mirrors U.S. mortgage standards, which means you're not navigating some opaque local system with hidden conditions. If you can qualify, you qualify. Full stop.
For Canadian buyers, this matters just as much. Canada has long been a leader in LGBTQIA+ rights and protections—from the Canadian Human Rights Act to the 2005 legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide—and we believe the financial services Canadians access abroad should reflect those same values. Getting a mortgage in Costa Rica shouldn't mean stepping back in time. With Second Street, it doesn't.
Yes—and it's more straightforward than many people expect, especially when you work with the right lender.
Can you get a mortgage in Costa Rica as an American or Canadian? Absolutely. Second Street specializes in providing mortgage financing in Costa Rica specifically for foreign buyers from the U.S. and Canada. We handle the cross-border complexity so you don't have to, and we provide the kind of clear, transparent process you're used to at home.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
Costa Rica has earned its reputation as one of the most progressive and welcoming countries in Latin America—and that reputation is backed by real legal protections.
Same-Sex Marriage: In May 2020, Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage, following a ruling by its Constitutional Court. This wasn't a close call—the court ruled that the existing prohibition was unconstitutional and incompatible with international human rights standards.
Legal Protections: Costa Rica's legal framework provides non-discrimination protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals in employment and public services. The country has ratified international human rights instruments that reinforce these protections, and the Constitutional Court has consistently ruled in favor of equal rights.
A Genuinely Welcoming Culture: San José hosts an annual Pride celebration, and the broader cultural environment—particularly in the Central Valley, the beach towns of Guanacaste, and communities like Manuel Antonio—is notably open and inclusive. Manuel Antonio, in particular, has long been recognized internationally as one of the most LGBTQIA+-friendly destinations in the Americas.
Strong International Community: There is a well-established and vibrant community of foreigners in Costa Rica, including a significant and visible LGBTQIA+ presence. Community, connection, and belonging—the things that make a house a home—are genuinely available here.
Political Stability and Quality of Life: Costa Rica has no standing army, a robust democracy, universal healthcare, extraordinary biodiversity, and one of the highest quality-of-life rankings in Latin America. For Americans and Canadians considering a second home or a permanent move, it offers a rare combination: a safe, stable, beautiful country where they will be treated as equal members of society.
Getting a mortgage in Costa Rica as a U.S. or Canadian citizen is a process we've helped many buyers navigate. Here's a high-level look at how it works with Second Street:
1. Consultation—We start with a conversation about your goals, budget, and the type of property you're considering (residential home, beachfront property, condo, etc.).
2. Pre-qualification—We assess your financial profile using the same standards you'd expect from a North American lender. Income, credit history, assets, and debt-to-income ratio are all factors, applied consistently and fairly.
3. Property and Title Review—We work with trusted local attorneys to ensure the property has a clean title and is legally structured for foreign ownership.
4. Loan Approval and Closing—We guide you through the full approval process, documentation, and closing—in English, with clear explanations at every step.
Costa Rica mortgage rates and terms vary by loan type, property, and buyer profile, and we'll give you a full picture of your options before you commit to anything.
At Second Street, our commitment to equality and diversity isn't something we review once a year in a policy document. It shows up in how we treat every client who walks through our door—or emails us, or picks up the phone from a kitchen in Toronto or a living room in California, wondering if homeownership in Costa Rica could actually be for them.
It can be. It should be. And we're here to make it happen.
We're proud to support CCDCR and the LGBTQIA+ business community in Costa Rica—not because it's Pride Month (though we're glad it is), but because inclusive commerce makes for a better world, and because the right to own property and build a life should belong to everyone equally.
Happy Pride from all of us at Second Street.
Interested in exploring mortgage financing in Costa Rica? Contact our team to start the conversation—in English or Spanish, with no judgments and no asterisks.
Learn more about CCDCR and the Costa Rica LGBTIQ Trade Mission at ccdcr.org.
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