SANTA TERESA, COSTA RICA

Vision
Our vision is to challenge the existing ways of living by creating eco-sustainable communities around the world that allow families and friends to live a more productive yet balanced co-working lifestyle.
We strive to provide our members with high quality of living, regardless of where they are located, and a unified educational system to support our children in any part of the world.
We believe that by creating these work-live communities, we can foster a more harmonious and balanced relationship between humans and nature.
Blog
Save the Date! | YOKO CONNECT | January 30 - February 3, 2024 Santa Teresa, Costa RicaSanta Teresa, Costa Rica Our second community gathering was a huge success, and we are very grateful to those who decided to join us in Costa Rica for a 4-day...
We are excited to present our community’s first renders for the relaxation area, restaurant, and co-work space at YokoVillage North. The co-work space is one of the pillars of our project. Yoko’s primary goal is to offer a community experience of...
In this edition: Finally Breaking Ground at YokoSouth Jaw-Dropper Designs of Sangha YokoVillage Netherlands Huge Progress Retreats & Offerings by YokoMembers Join Yoko in the Maldives Deal of the Month YokoNorth Villa UpdateYokoVillage South...
Invitation to Webinar with Yoko NL Founders: Save the Date: September 7th, 2023, Thursday 11 a.m. Costa Rica. Meet Ronit Aizenbeg Kurz Co-Founder of Yoko Netherlands. Ronit Aizenberg Kurz talks about her life journey: Creating...
Join us at YokoConnect August 16-20, where Dorin will be performing and speaking to her vision. Introduction: As an artist with a passion for music, community, and bridging cultural gaps, Dorin has always sought a place where people can find...
YokoVillage is nestled on the hillside of Santa Teresa, just minutes from the beach. The diverse landscape offers breathtaking ocean views with spectacular sunsets, natural resources, and serenity. This environment sets the stage for future villagers to strike a root in paradise.
YokoVillage is being developed with a special focus on regeneration and sustainability:
– Thoughtful architecture to incorporate the natural landscape and tree preservation
– Regeneration of previously deforested areas to renew the forest canopy
– Rainwater collection, gray water re-use, and robust water treatment facilities
– Sustainably and locally sourced construction materials
– Recycling facilities and a commitment to remove single-use plastic waste
Community
The YokoVillage community is a mix of freelance entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, nationalities, industries, and age groups. We have creatives, creators, doctors, agency owners, startup founders, wellness coaches, environmental and sustainability experts, entrepreneurs, early retirees, and more. The sense of community is an important factor in the well-being of Yoko residents. As such, the villages were designed to promote a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle, while meeting the professional needs of remote workers looking to move to paradise and remain connected.
Communal Amenities:
• Community center
• High-speed internet (throughout the Village)
• Hi-tech community co-working center & private office space
• Yoga deck
• Gym
• Edible forest
• Communal garden
• Restaurant
• Pool
Communal Services:
YokoVillage North and South are fully managed communities with full-time staff, security, and onsite maintenance. All common areas, co-working spaces, facilities, roads, and communal gardens are maintained year-round by management and are included in the monthly HOA fees. Residents also receive basic residential villa maintenance.
“YokoVillage is centered around the well-being of its residents while focusing on building creative and productive co-working community. We understand the business needs of remote workers, providing a perfectly balanced work, home environment”







Liran Rosenfeld
Founder, Creator & Managing Partner
Serrana Robledo
Chief Architect Designer
Minerva García
CFO
Jeffry Valverde
Civil Engineer / Construction Partner
David Pervan
Co-Founder
Founder of YokoVillage. A serial founder with a proven track record and partner at PassRight, Global Talent Fund and has also served as the regional partner for Amazon Key for Business in Costa Rica during 2020. Liran comes from a strong marketing, sales and finance background. Liran described why he started YokoVillage here.
Architect and Designer, urban planning teacher at University (FADU, UdelaR, Uruguay), for the last 10 years. Has worked as a project designer in offices from Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv. Has won several awards in international architecture and urban planning competitions.
Chief Financial Officer and Administrator of YokoVillage. Minerva is a wizard when it comes to numbers, with five years experience as a Senior executive in Deloitte. She also takes care of operations and daily management.
Civil Engineer. Executing development of infrastructure projects for the Costa Rican Goverment. A highly experienced developer & owner of a large construction company.
David is a serial entrepreneur, impact investor, and public speaker with a wide range of prior ventures, spanning from community-based digital healthcare, mangrove reforestation carbon credits projects, decentralized electricity generation and energy storage, 3d printing. David is running Yoko Village’s investment team.
Andre Ceresnjes
Head of Sales
Cynara Kupferschmidt
Sales Advisor
Viviana Rojas
Coordinator of San Jose Affairs
Ariel Wajnerman
Graphic Designer
Fernando García Amen
Webmaster & Developer
Karin Ebner
Community Manager
Ivan Ceresnjes
Head of Content
Santiago Alvante
Architect
Gastón Hernández
Architect
Joaquín Musetti
Architect
Rodrigo Oviedo
Architect
Juan Manuel Terra
Architect
Liran Rosenfeld
Founder, Creator & Managing Partner
Founder of YokoVillage. A serial founder with a proven track record and partner at PassRight, Global Talent Fund and has also served as the regional partner for Amazon Key for Business in Costa Rica during 2020. Liran comes from a strong marketing, sales and finance background. Liran described why he started YokoVillage here.
Serrana Robledo
Chief Architect Designer
Architect and Designer, urban planning teacher at University (FADU, UdelaR, Uruguay), for the last 10 years. Has worked as a project designer in offices from Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv. Has won several awards in international architecture and urban planning competitions.
Minerva García
CFO
Chief Financial Officer and Administrator of YokoVillage. Minerva is a wizard when it comes to numbers, with five years experience as a Senior executive in Deloitte. She also takes care of operations and daily management.
Jeffry Valverde
Civil Engineer / Construction Partner
Civil Engineer. Executing development of infrastructure projects for the Costa Rican Goverment. A highly experienced developer & owner of a large construction company.
David Pervan
Co-Founder
David is a serial entrepreneur, impact investor, and public speaker with a wide range of prior ventures, spanning from community-based digital healthcare, mangrove reforestation carbon credits projects, decentralized electricity generation and energy storage, 3d printing. David is running Yoko Village’s investment team.
Andre Ceresnjes
Head of Sales
Cynara Kupferschmidt
Sales Advisor
Viviana Rojas
Coordinator of San Jose Affairs
Ariel Wajnerman
Graphic Designer
Fernando García Amen
Webmaster & Developer
Karin Ebner
Community Manager
Ivan Ceresnjes
Head of Content
Santiago Alvante
Architect
Gastón Hernández
Architect
Joaquín Musetti
Architect
Rodrigo Oviedo
Architect
Juan Manuel Terra
Architect
F.A.Q.
Ownership Questions:
Do I get a title for my villa?
Yes!
Who owns the property?
You have 100% ownership of the property you purchase. YokoVillage owns the communal spaces.
How big are the Lots?
All lots are 1000 square meters, and some can vary to 2000 or even 5000 square meters.
Can I subdivide my property?
Depending on the property and the size of your lot, you can create an LLC and subdivide it. At YokoVillage North, you are not allowed to subdivide your lot. If you like to get a bigger piece of land and subdivide it, check out our Slow Living Venture (www.slowlivingventures.com).
What are the estimated monthly HOA fees?
For 2BR $250. For 3BR $350 and 4BR $400. The HOA fees include security, landscaping, and general maintenance of YokoVillage, like running the communal services, i.e. Shared workspace, garden, roads, etc.
What other monthly fees may apply?
General maintenance of your house after the wet season, dry season, the impact of saltwater on the materials, etc. The maintenance costs are equal to the HOA fee structure. For 2BR $250. For 3BR $350 and 4BR $400 per month for the maintenance of your home. Including a handyman available for any unexpected issues. The costs are charged monthly, and it’s optional. It is mainly used for units that are constantly rented to 3rd parties.
Is there a board or organization that runs the community?
There is no community board. There is an in-house management team looking after all aspects of the community. They will be based on the community campus and their job will be to manage all of the community’s business affairs as well as manage properties for owners who wish to use their villas for additional rental income. You will have ownership of your house and what you do in your house is your prerogative. We will have some general rules for co-living in harmony in the community.
What are the vocational rental management fees?
If you want to create passive income on your property or wish to rent out the villa when you are not using it, YokoVillage will manage the property. To have a successful rental business there are a lot of criteria that need to be met and typically that is very time-consuming. YokoVillage will therefore take responsibility for the whole process of advertising, cleaning, renting, checking in and out guests, and providing oversight with reports for a 20% fee of the booking price. We are proficient in online rental services such as Airbnb, booking.com, and VRBO.
When can I sell the property?
At any time.
Can I buy a ready-made home?
Currently, we are selling houses by order only.
Do I need to have residency status in order to own a home? No. Anyone can buy and own and home in Costa Rica.
Costa Rican law permits you to apply for residency after you have spent $150,000 or more on any property. You do not have to have a residency to enter the country, however border agents typically give a tourist a 3-month visitor stamp. If you apply for residency the process is relatively easy and inexpensive. We created an article about immigration to Costa Rica here.
Legal Questions:
Is the developer the legal owner of the land designated for YokoVillage?
Yes. The developer has secured the land on which YokoVillage is being built.
Is the land that I’m buying free of any debts, claims or litigation?
Yes. YokoVillage has done all due diligence and has gone through all the legal processes to acquire the land.
Are all taxes paid for the property I’m buying or being part of?
Yes.
How long would it take to register the property once I sign the agreement?
All land/title transfers are done with lawyers in Costa Rica. Their land registry system is extremely efficient and well organized. After signing, you will have a contract in hand and a copy of that title is electronically and physically sent to the municipality to be officiated.
Travel Questions:
What are the closest airports to Santa Teresa?
Costa Rica has two international airports.
· Juan Santamaría International Airport, located in Alajuela, near the capital.
· Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, located in Liberia, Guanacaste.
Depending on where you fly from, each airport has different internal flights throughout the country.
From San Jose, you can take a 30-minute domestic flight to Santa Teresa.
From Liberia, it can be a 1h30m or a 30-minutes flight. It depends on whether the flight includes a layover in San Jose.
Both flights will arrive at the nearest airport, Tambor. From there, it will be a 30-minute drive to the town.
How do I get to Santa Teresa?
As mentioned before, you have two domestic flights that will arrive at Tambor.
From Tambor, you can take a 30 minutes taxi (30 min) to Santa Teresa. It’s better to coordinate your international flight to arrive a minimum of two hours before your domestic flight, which you can book online! So that you don’t need to spend the night in San Jose.
How long is the flight from NYC/LA/ Europe?
New York under 5 hours Los Angeles 6 hours Europe 10 Hours
Do I need a vaccination?
Costa Rica does not require visitors to have a Covid-19 test, vaccination, or travel insurance. However, it maintains the requirement for the mandatory use of masks and the protocol for washing hands and taking temperatures.
I would like to visit the property, is that possible?
You can visit anytime! It is essential to arrange the visit well in advance with Andre Ceresnjes on his WhatsApp number +972 54-579-4694 (Not on Weekends or after 5 pm).
YokoVillage Questions:
Who is YokoVillage?
YokoVillage is a company founded in Santa Teresa last year after its founder and CEO Liran Rosenfeld saw a shifting mood for the digital nomad (term used to refer to people who do all of their work online and no longer need a fixed location to work) to be able to work from remote and beautiful destinations outside of the US job market. As he himself had done the same thing he realized there was an opportunity to help many others with a like-minded living and at the same time develop a great business model.
Where are you based?
We are based in Santa Teresa, but our team, like most of the Village, hails from all 4 corners of the globe.
What is the experience that you have in the area?
Daniel Assado and Itay Ohio, Board Of Directors members of YokoVillage have over 20 years of experience in the region as developers, building together 50 successful projects and counting. Founder, Liran Rosenfeld comes from a strong marketing and sales background as founder and partner of PassRight, and the regional partner for Amazon. Our management, marketing, and sales team have been working with top US companies for many years now and we’re all happy to move down to Costa Rica and take life a little slower and replace quantity for quality.
What do you hope to accomplish at YokoVillage?
A thriving community. YokoVillage is uniquely designed to cater to the needs of remote workers and their families looking to escape city life in exchange for a relaxed, less stressful, and more productive lifestyle. The community comes fully equipped with all the amenities and facilities necessary to maintain a healthy, well-balanced, co-working lifestyle.
What are the benefits of living in YokoVillage?
Houses in YokoVillage are built ground up, are beautifully designed, and are weather resistant.
YokoVillage has amenities that are exclusive to its residents including a gym, a large elegant co-working space, a communal restaurant, communal garden, and is located in a gated property with 24hr security service providing comfort and security for your family and investment.
A community of like-minded people, who maintain a healthy lifestyle and an adventurous spirit.
The best location on the peninsula. Nestled in the hills of Santa Teresa, minutes away from the beach, restaurants, and nightlife, YokoVillage has a premium foothold in Santa Teresa.
Abundant nature surrounds you, peace and tranquility follow your every step.
Construction has been planned ahead so that as the community grows it will not stress the infrastructure, while continuously blending into the environment.
The resale factor will only go up as the community’s roots grow deeper.
Due to the fact that we are building such a large-scale project, we have already gone through painstaking efforts to secure top contractors, architects, and landscapers that we know can do the job and provide top-quality affordable finishes.
Am I buying directly from YokoVillage?
Yes, we are the sole owners of the project and are doing all of the in-house sales, marketing, and working with trusted and very experienced contractors for the construction.
If I’m not 100% satisfied with the construction at the end of the build what do I do?
Here at YokoVillage, we are dedicated to creating a well-constructed and executed community project. That being said all construction has a 1-year warranty on the build. The contract itself is very detailed as to what you will be receiving as far as finishes, sizes, construction materials, etc. and you will be getting the exact same villa like the one shown in our unit specifications document (Annex A).
Is YokoVillage a family-friendly space?
Our will is to create a community open to every type of person and their clan. If the trend is pointing towards more families, we will adjust the amenities to suit that need.
Are you the only community in Santa Teresa?
Yes. There are a few residential communities that exist, however, none of them are providing anything close to what we are. They are gated residential areas with little amenities to provide. We will provide all the lifestyle perks that make us unique to Santa Teresa.
Are you working in any other projects?
Yes, we have another YokoVillage in the pipeline on the peninsula.
What is the demographic for the investors who are part of the project?
YokoVillage North members are from all corners of the globe and currently mostly consist of Europeans, Americans and Canadians. The same goes for age range and occupation. Our members range from 30 to 60 years old and come from various occupational backgrounds, including digital nomads, entrepreneurs, families, and early retirees.
What is the timeline for the completion of the communal areas for YokoVillage North and YokoVillage South?
The expected timeline for the completion of the communal areas is 2024 for YokoVillage North and 2025 for YokoVillage South.
What if I have more questions?
Contact us!! info@yokovillage.com
We are here to give you all the information you need.
Rental Income:
What monthly income do you foresee on a rented villa?
We project by our knowledge and research that the average percentage is around 14% return on your investment. Of course, this can vary depending on the season and type of rental, long term vs. short term.
Income Plan – Short Term Rental | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR |
Daily Rental Income | 250 | 350 | 500 |
Days Rented (per month) | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Yearly Rent Income | $ 54,000 | $ 75,600 | $ 108,000 |
Income Plan – Long Term Rental | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR |
Monthly Rental Income | $2,000 | $2,800 | $4,000 |
Yearly Rent Income | $ 24,000 | $ 33,600 | $ 48,000 |
What do I need to know about Management fees and services?
The management fee is 20%, and is only for people owning a property as an investment and are not planning on living there. Many people in Santa Teresa own houses that they use periodically throughout the year, and the rest of the time the property is earning income as short-term rental. YokoVillage offers internal management services in short-term rentals for the Villas of the community. The management fee covers all rental platforms and advertising, cleaning, maintenance, and all other services that are necessary for running a profitable rental business, making it easy and smart for owners to see the highest return.
Our rental office will be using platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and Luxury Retreats to advertise your property in our community. We believe that if everything is run under one umbrella the community and properties will be better managed and protected.
Financial Questions:
Is it possible to get a mortgage for part of the investment?
We’ve been asked countless times about financing for YokoVillage, and we have some great news. We are now officially able to offer financing! More information can be found here.
At what point can I still back out of the deal?
Once you have signed the contract and transferred funds over to us, we consider the deal closed. At that point, you are committed to seeing the project through to completion.
What guarantees do you offer?
We offer guarantees on the workmanship and materials used in the buildings. We guarantee that your house and finishes will be and look like the one you saw in the model unit.
What extra costs will I incur?
Gas, Electricity, Cable, Taxes.
This is a question based upon your personal needs; however, you will have gas, electricity, and water consumption need. These prices can vary based on your villa consumption. Cable, internet, etc. are services that we don’t personally provide, but they are well established and easily installed.
Do you have an estimation of utility costs i.e. electricity, gas, insurance?
Descriptive | Average Wet Season | Average Dry Season |
Electricity | $50 | $200 |
Gas | $10 | $10 |
Water | $0 | $20 |
When do I start making payments on my house?
- 1st equivalent to 25% when plans and permits have been presented.
- 2nd payment equivalent to 25% when the general base of the home has been completed.
- 3rd payment equivalent to 25% when the concrete floors and electric and sewage installations are finished.
- 4th payment is equivalent to 25% when the house is built and finished.
What is the income tax rate in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica income tax rates are progressive, between 0%-25%. As for property taxes in Costa Rica, these are ridiculously low. You will pay a 0.25% property tax on the value appraised and registered by the city, which is always a lot lower than the real value. A $200,000 property might be registered by the city for $50K, and you will, therefore, pay $125/annually.
What are and how much are closing costs?
There may be additional costs incurred for individuals wanting YokoVillage to register and maintain a Costa Rican company for them.
What is the average cost to insure a home in the area?
Construction Questions:
What is the price per meter/foot for construction?
$1,200-$1,500 per square meter.
Will my villa look like the model in the brochure?
We will have two models per layout. The 1,2,3 bedrooms will have a standard and exclusive model. They will all be the same design so yes, your house will look like the one you saw.
Can I have the house designed the way I like?
To maintain a pleasing aesthetic throughout the village we are choosing to have several choices of construction and keep a uniform look to have the houses blend into the surrounding beauty.
How big are the villas?
1BR Interiors 70-80 square meters. Area Built 180
2BR Interiors 90-100 square meters. Area Built 280
3BR Interiors 100-120 square meters. Area Built 320
For more information please go to the following link
Do all villas come with a pool?
All villas except the 1 bedroom villa model B come with a pool.
What is the average distance between villas?
It is an average of 40 meters distance between each house, depending on which model you choose. A Vertical home will have more distance than the horizontal one, because of its footprint.
What materials do you use for construction?
The foundation will be poured concrete (minimal amounts to lower our environmental impact). The flooring will be polished concrete and the structure will be made out of wood, metal, sheetrock, and metal studs.
Who is responsible for utilities?
The homeowner is responsible for all utilities in their property, such as electricity, internet connection, etc. The communal expenses will be paid for by YokoVillage out of the HOA fees.
What layouts are you offering?
There are two models: Single Family Home and Semi-Detached Home. 1,2,3 bedroom layouts in two versions each, Standard and Exclusive model.
When do I choose what finishes and details in the villa?
You will actually need to do that before you purchase your house as the finishes and extras can potentially increase the amount of your final costs.
Does the price include furniture?
The furniture is not included, but we offer to furnish the house at a cost that is under market price.
What building finishes can I choose?
We will send you a brochure with all the details and pricing upon request.
What (if any) warranty do I get on the construction and appliances?
The contractors we work with have a year guarantee on labor. Like most houses anywhere in the world, this is a standard form of guarantee.
What type of zoning do you have?
Santa Teresa has three types of land use zoning, Commercial, agricultural (not the same as the concept of land for growing, but rather land protected for keeping nature), and lastly a form of land use connected to main roads that we will call Road Adjacent. Each type of land allows for different types of buildable property and ownership. YokoVillage is a mixture of both.
Have all slope analysis, erosion checks, and safety measures been made already?
Yes, we have checked the land with various engineers and are taking all safety measures needed.
When are communal areas and services expected to be up and running?
By mid-2022 Yoko management and security is live and running and you will be able to rent out the Villa immediately. By the end of 2023 all communal areas will be built and ready for use. Some of the communal areas might be completed before the end of 2023.
When will construction begin?
Once you have signed your contract and transferred funds it will take about a year of the legal process until the contractors will be permitted to commence construction.
How fast can my house be built?
A typical time frame for building a 1-3 bedroom house is 6 months. However, there is a waiting time of about 3-12 months before we start building, because of permitting and planning.
Are there any risks of not getting the needed approvals for either villas or communal areas?
There are no risks in getting approvals for the construction of the villas and communal areas. All Villas and communal spaces are built according to law with the YokoVillage engineers and architects.
Is there any risk of increased costs of building etc. for the purchaser?
No. We commit to the costs in advance and under contract.
How is the capital paid at this first stage guaranteed to be used for the actual Villa ordered?
YokoVillage will make use of the funds in any way it sees fit and is committed under the law to build your home as mentioned in the home description and architectural plans as written in the contract.
Amenities / Lifestyle :
Yes, pets are allowed, however, we have some restrictions as to how many and what kind of pets are allowed. There is a lot of sensitive nature around and we aim to protect and respect it as much as we want you to protect and respect your fellow community members.
Yes, there is an excellent internet connection, and the speeds are up to par with any American House.
Visa / Immigration Questions:
Are there restrictions on travel to and from Costa Rica?
Costa Rica currently has no travel restriction and all borders are open. Due to Covid 19 situation, this can obviously change. They do require an Insurance policy that will cover you for all medical expenses if you do contract the virus while in Costa Rica. This can be obtained from any travel agent.
Do I need a visa to come to Costa Rica?
You can reference this link to see if your country of origin requires a travel visa for its citizens to enter the country. US citizens do not need a travel visa.
How hard is it to get a residence permit?
Any person over the age of 65 Is eligible to apply for a retirement visa. Any person owning property over $200,000 is also eligible for residency. The application process is fairly simple and inexpensive. We can recommend several lawyers for the process if needed.
Do you have any good lawyers you can recommend?
Yes. Contact us, and we’ll be happy to refer you to an outstanding legal firm that has successfully helped other YokoVillage members get their residency.
General Questions:
Where are you located?
We are located in the village of Santa Teresa in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Click here for a pin on Google Maps to see Yoko North location.
Santa Teresa is situated in one of the world´s 5 blue zones with a community of global citizens who enjoy a laid back, bohemian lifestyle filled with sunshine, yoga, surfing and a lively nightlife with excellent cuisine.
Can I come and visit the community?
We would love for you to come and see what we are doing and share our enthusiasm for our way of life. To schedule a site visit please click here: calendly.com/yokovillagecontact
Any time you come down here you are gifting yourself with sun and fun. Contact us today and ask for personalized instruction on how to to get here, depending where you’re coming from.
What is the typical climate in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is classified as a tropical country because of its proximity to the equator. The seasons are more or less divided into two: Dry and Green. During the dry season, the skies are clear, the sun is shining bright and we seldom have rain. During the green season you get more rain but still plenty of sunshine. There is consistently about 12 hours of sunlight per day for the entire year. We like to say that it’s always hot here but from December till April it’s warm and dry and from May till November it warm and humid.
I do not speak Spanish, will I be ok to communicate?
Yes! Everyone in touristic areas in Costa Rica speak English. While the official language is Spanish, here in Santa Teresa everyone speak English, and there are no shortages of English speaking professionals, such as lawyers, doctors and accountants, restaurants, pharmacies, etc
What currencies are accepted?
The official currency is Colones, but most of the businesses here receive US dollars and accept major credit cards.
Will I be close to the beach?
Yes. Santa Teresa and the surrounding area have some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.
Contact Us

Learn more about our vision and projects at www.YokoCompany.com