About Ben Engel

We knew on our first visit, that we wanted to own a home for our family in Potrero. We initially contacted Melanie based on positive online reviews, her detailed website, and the fact she was a fellow Canadian who would understand our expectations, and our family needs and point us in the right direction. We couldn’t be happier with our experience with Melanie. She was well-versed in the area, and had excellent pointers for us in both the neighbourhoods and the homes we went to see. She provided detailed plans for us on the days we went house hunting, and she was extremely responsive to our many calls and emails. Melanie was endlessly patient with a...

Being part of a High School community volunteer and adventure trip to CR last year had opened my eyes to the beauty and the nice people of CR. And after months of research online, my husband and I had made it a goal to retire in CR someday. We did not expect anything from our short trip to CR but to our amazement, we have found the perfect property for us through Melanie! Being so unprepared, Melanie guided us and helped make the whole purchasing process so smoothly! Melanie was able to make an otherwise daunting undertaking easy for us! Even despite months of research and understanding what it takes to purchase a property in CR, we were still so in...

Gaynor and I just want to thank you so much for working so hard to find a rental for us. We have dealt with many realtors in the past and you surpass them all, especially with your level of customer service, and the fact that you get back to your clients as often as you do. You are exceptional. Thanks so much - you really are a star! Warm regards.

Melanie is an outstanding realtor. She knows the market and the business like no other. Additionally, she is responsive and an excellent communicator, often answering questions I have asked about properties within minutes of my request. I have purchased numerous properties over the years and worked with many realtors, and rarely have I come across anyone as good as Melanie.

Dealing with Melanie Engel from Flamingo Beach Realty has been an overall delight! We first discovered Melanie when we Googled realty companies in Costa Rica’s Gold Coast. Flamingo Beach Realty’s website stood out from the competition with its excellent reviews, great photos, and a plethora of real estate options. More importantly, Melanie’s story pulled on our heartstrings as we instantly felt a connection with this Canadian lady who had visited Costa Rica on a family vacation and then decided to make Costa Rica their new home! My husband and I are both from Toronto and had only visited Costa Rica once, ten years ago when we got engaged, see photo....

This is Corie and Nick Ferrentino and we purchased our dream home in Las Ventanas Playa Grande. Melanie Engel is our real estate broker. Melanie put us together with an incredible lawyer Mr. Gonzalo Rojas (my husband refers to as the doctor), who guided us through the laws of purchasing property in Costa Rica. Upon flying home to follow all of the rules to buy property in Costa Rica the virus pandemic of Corona broke out and all the borders were closed! This is when Melanie really showed us how honest and trustworthy she really is and an amazing person to work with, she is helpful, and kind and gives all the information a realtor should. When the vi...

If you are fortunate enough to have Melanie Engel of Flamingo Beach Realty work for you and with you on real estate, then, by all means, do it. The first thing I realized about her was that no one can possibly work harder than she does. So, when she messaged me that she wanted to schedule a showing of my property at 2:00 the next day, I cautiously confirmed with her that she meant two in the afternoon rather than the morning. But, I would not have been surprised if she was making a 2:00 am appointment. Due to her expertise, dedication, tirelessness, constant marketing, valuable relationships, and incredible reputation, Melanie presented me with 3 of...

Melanie helped us with two transactions and was very proactive with both. She went the extra mile to find the right property that met our needs. It happened to be under construction which made it more complicated, but she helped us through what at times was a trying process and we couldn’t be happier with the home. We look forward to enjoying it for years to come!

It’s taken us a while to write this review but it’s definitely long overdue. Melanie Engel and Jen Dalton from Flamingo Beach Reality are owed a huge thank you from my wife and me. This was our first time buying a property overseas and needless to say we had so much doubt and reservations. During the negotiation period, we went from nervous apprehension to flat-out refusal and back to finally finding a more than satisfactory agreement. Throughout all of this, Melanie was always available to answer any questions, even outside of working hours and after the sale lol. Without Melanie and Jen's abundant knowledge of the area and local laws, as well as q...

I started working with Melanie Engel at Flamingo Beach Realty because I found their website very easy to use. I liked the way the section on condos for Sale could be sorted by location, neighborhood, and price. After I downloaded a brochure on the listings I was most interested in, Melanie immediately emailed me and introduced herself and wanted to get to know me better and how she could meet my needs. She was very personable and friendly. My daughter had recently moved to Costa Rica and I was looking for something small, affordable, and possibly an investment for the future. Melanie contacted my daughter and set up a time for them could see the con...

I can’t recommend Melanie highly enough. She has a strong ethical base and integrity and genuinely wants what’s best for the clients. She follows through and her communication is excellent, and she is incredibly knowledgeable about the area. In addition to listening to what my wife and I told her we wanted to look at, she took the time to get to know us personally so she could find the right properties and not waste our time. She succeeded brilliantly and found us our dream property, one we had been seeking for over 15 years in many countries. In addition to helping us negotiate our purchase, she introduced us to an excellent attorney, architect, an...

Melanie Engel helped our dream come true! We closed the deal on our condo in Flamingo Beach this past July and Mel was with us every step of the way. She suggested a fabulous lawyer, was able to answer the many, many questions we had, and also recommended our incredible property manager. Mel takes her client's needs to heart and goes above and beyond to help you in any way that she can. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about life in Costa Rica. We feel like we gained a friend and would highly recommend her if you’re buying or selling!

We are extremely grateful and feel very blessed to have Melanie in our lives. While that may seem to be a strong statement to use for your real estate agent, you will understand our feelings once you get a chance to meet and work with Melanie and her family. Melanie worked tirelessly with us for over a year to find the perfect condo for our family to use for our own vacations and as a rental property. Throughout our process, she answered all of our questions and addressed our concerns in great detail. Melanie makes sure she is available at all hours of the day, every day of the week, to give her clients 100% and it was immediately apparent to us tha...

We just bought our first Costa Rica property in Brasilito. Melanie helped us sort through various options on locale and the struggle of deciding condo vs house. She was very organized and kept us on target by honing in on what we were looking for. Big decisions were made by us with confidence. Melanie has her own experts on call whether you need a lawyer or a builder! I have already recommended her to a number of folks wanting to rent or buy in Costa Rica. She looked out for us the whole time and we look forward to starting our escape plan to Costa Rica. In addition, I found her website to be among the best. I didn’t have to jump around too many rea...

We are Canadians and we bought a property through her, without seeing it, and when when we saw it for the first time, it was better than we could have envisioned! When we actually arrived again at Flamingo and saw her signs everywhere on estate lots, buying and selling we knew we picked the absolute best of the best real estate agent! I almost felt foolish for doubting her. I met her for the first time after the deal had closed and was blown away! She has set us up with the most reputable builders, who to avoid through years of experience (bad reputation) who to use from her experience as well as lawyers etc. Beyond invaluable! We do appreciate a st...

Primero que nada quiero agradecerte por sus servicios brindados y a la vez recomendarte para las personas que puedan ver este mensaje debido a la eficiencia, orden y dedicación al vender nuestro condominio ubicado en reserva conchal Costa Rica en un periodo de 2 meses pensando siempre en la comodidad tanto del vendedor como del comprador, sin presión alguna, dando así tiempo a que ambas partes puedan razonar conforme al trato. De verdad apreciamos sus servicios de bienes y raíces y te damos mil gracias por su comprensión. We love you very much. Thanks!

Melanie Engel helped us sell our condo. She was with us every step of the way. No matter what question we asked, Melanie always answered in a very timely manner. She is very resourceful. She looks at real estate as more than just a business, she sees it as helping to find a home or sell a home. We would definitely recommend Melanie. She is very professional, knowledgeable, and hardworking. Thanks for everything.

We found our dream home in Costa Rica thanks to Melanie knowing what we wanted and taking us right to it. My husband and I went to Costa Rica for 3 months earlier this year to escape the cold weather we typically get in Toronto with part of our mission to start looking for a home to call ours in this beautiful Country that we love so much. We met up with Melanie to discuss our wants and needs and we knew that she was the agent for us, we did not have to meet with anyone else. She was very thorough, listened to what we both were saying, gave us some great advice on building vs buying, and was also able to tell us about her own transition from Canada ...

When I made the decision to move to Costa Rica with my 13-year-old son, we had never before set foot in the country. All decisions regarding what part of the country we were going to live in were made through online research. Fortunately, this is how I found Melanie Engel of Flamingo Beach Reality. From the first interaction we had via the web, Melanie was prompt, professional, and efficient. Finding a long-term rental along the coast is no easy task but within 24 hours Melanie leveraged her many contacts within the community to locate the perfect home for us. What I found most amazing though, were the ‘extras’ that I have never experienced in worki...

We love Melanie and Flamingo Beach Realty. Their knowledge of Costa Rican Real estate and laws was huge and comfort while buying our home. The process was smooth and seamless. We 100% recommend them to friends and family. Great people, honest, and extremely responsive to our needs.

Melanie was such an asset during our "from a distance" home purchase - she was honest and forthright and enabled us to purchase a beautiful 3 bedroom 3 1/2 bath home in our desired neighborhood all by video! Yes, by Zoom and video she handled all of our viewings and our questions. We have used her for long-term and short-term rentals previously and she has always met our needs with professionalism, genuine care, and deep knowledge of not just housing but any other needs we had to settle into our stays and transition in Costa Rica.

From the moment Melanie and I first spoke, it was an instant connection and clear verification that the decision we were making to purchase a home in Costa Rica, was the right one for our family. The decision didn’t come lightly, this has been a family discussion for about 5 years, and something imprinted in my heart for a lot longer. After many conversations and with a similar story, Melanie continued to confirm this move would be the best thing for our family, and how excited she was for us. With sights on the Pura Vida lifestyle, we were heading in the right direction. Our entire process was done during the events of COVID-19, so things were done...

My name is Patrick A. Budin. I am a 66-year-old retired United States Navy Commander 0-5. I spent 31 years of service in the United States Navy traveling and living abroad. I have chosen Costa Rica to be my final home. I have been coming to Costa Rica since 2003. Melanie Engel has been my most trusted real estate expert when it comes to making decisions about whether to buy or sell property here in Costa Rica. Melanie has made some very profitable choices for me over the past year and kept me out of harm's way when it comes to questionable or problematic real estate opportunities. Melanie Engel is always very friendly, professional, and accommodatin...

Just closed on our Surfside Towers Condo in Playa Potrero. Thanks to Melanie Engel of Flamingo Beach Realty for bringing us to, and leading us through the buying process. Can’t wait to enjoy, and have others enjoy this gem! If you’re looking to buy or rent in the Flamingo area, do yourself a favor and give Melanie a call!

So, imagine you live in Canada and you decide randomly that you’re going to invest in a Faraway land such as Costa Rica. Imagine the questions you would have, imagine all the insecurities you might have. It almost seems like a pipe dream. You go through YouTube video after YouTube video trying to figure out what to do. You finally get to a point where you’re going to decide to make the leap to speak to a real estate agent. Google then directs you to Flamingo Beach Realty, this is where you meet one of the best real estate agents in all of Costa Rica. We were all over the place initially, didn’t know if we wanted to buy an investment property by the ...

We can’t say enough good things about Melanie! When we were looking for a rental property in Guanacaste, she helped us through the process from start to finish. Since we live in the United States, we needed a lot of hand-holding and she did just that. She knows the country well and she is very knowledgeable about the region and the laws and regulations. We had our eye on the condos in Punta Plata in Playa Flamingo and since we could not go down there to see it, she sent us a ton of pictures and took us on a video tour of the two condos we were interested in. She even drove around while we were doing the video chat so that could see the surrounding a...

After a 6 month search with no luck in finding a long-term rental home for my family, a friend recommended I call Melanie Engel. I sent a text her way, and within minutes, she called me and had me scheduled to look at 3 homes. She was very knowledgeable about the local market, knew of homes we hadn’t known about, and even one that wasn’t actually on the market yet, but coming soon. She advocated for our family and got us into a home that was exactly what we were looking for, and within our budget. She was able to get a contract to us immediately, and the whole process took just a few days. Melanie then checked in on us after we had moved in, and eve...

I found Melanie Engel via her website while searching for condos in the Playa Flamingo area of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Her website was very easy to navigate, and when I requested more information Melanie immediately emailed me back. We communicated regarding various properties for a couple of months before I was able to make the trip to Costa Rica to look at properties with her. Melanie is a complete professional, very kind and easy to talk to, and knows the area very well as she lives in Playa Flamingo herself. She was able to guide me through the decision-making process very well so I could focus on what it was that I really wanted. Melanie also d...

Melanie is the best! Not only did she find us a place to live in a very short amount of time but she has been a great resource for everything from car rentals to dance lessons! She is extremely hardworking and will negotiate to make sure you are getting the best deal.

When I was looking for a realtor in Costa Rica, a friend of mine in the area told me he’d connect me with the best realtor around. He wasn’t wrong! When I first met with melanie, and explained my wish list, she took her time in showing me various options and giving amazing advice. It was clear from the numerous visits and showings, that she has a strong network here and no one knows this market better than her and her team. I never felt any pressure when it came time to putting in offers or making decisions. She did an amazing job representing our interests and ensuring that we were well protected and informed once we had made up our minds. After th...

When I was looking for a realtor in Costa Rica, a friend of mine in the area told me he’d connect me with the best realtor around. He wasn’t wrong! When I first met with melanie, and explained my wish list, she took her time in showing me various options and giving amazing advice. It was clear from the numerous visits and showings, that she has a strong network here and no one knows this market better than her and her team. I never felt any pressure when it came time to putting in offers or making decisions. She did an amazing job representing our interests and ensuring that we were well protected and informed once we had made up our minds. After th...

Marc is a unique-to-encounter real estate agent in my experience. His true nature comes from the genuine French hospitality. My partner and I really enjoyed it. Marc has been enormously helpful at every single step of the process (initial Zoom discussions, selection of proper lawyers, discussions with escrow, exploring potential financial options). Simply, we really felt well supported. Thank you, Marc, great job!

Melanie and her team are the best of the best and very knowledgeable. Melanie made purchasing our dream vacation home easy from start to finish. She connected us with a great team of lawyers, property managers and interior designers. We can’t wait to enjoy our little slice of paradise for years to come, thanks to Melanie and Flamingo Beach Realty.

Melanie and her team at Flamingo Beach Realty are truly the best! We have worked with them to purchase and also to sell property in Costa Rica and we would not use anyone else. They are extremely professional, knowledgeable and trustworthy and always go above and beyond to make the process smooth, easy and quick. We have really appreciated having someone that we can absolutely trust to keep our best interests in mind throughout the process. Everyone at FBR is so kind and helpful, it has been a real pleasure to get to know them and we are looking forward to working with them again in the future.

This is the first time I have written a review for this kind of service, and it is because I am beyond impressed with the top tier interactions and outcome we had using Flamingo Beach Realty. I want everyone to be able to experience this! There aren't enough stars. I would rather give 100 than five! Melanie and her team are truly amazing. Like, incredible. Miracle workers. Mind readers. Make it happen-ers. Melanie is the most communicative, honest, open, transparent, kind, helpful, knowledgeable, well-connected, and authentic realtor in town. I wish we had found her many purchases ago! Melanie took so much of her precious time with us through every ...

Melanie works as very few persons do in that industry. She is serious, compromised and has the right attitude towards closing the best deals on both sides. She acts in fairness and respect. She is thrust worthy and has no other issues with the exception of a huge smile! She gets things done right. Looking forward to see her again.

Melanie is an amazing agent. She was super helpful through out our buying process. Always immediately responsive via email, WhatsApp or phone call. She has continued to provide first class service even after closing and move in. She has many resources in Costa Rica and her team is always happy to help too.

Amazing, amazing, amazing! Marc is an absolute legend! Catered to all my needs and assisted me in looking for my dream property to call home. He responded quickly and promptly and drove me to 6 different properties and was patient in answering all my questions and giving me a thorough rundown of each property. If you’re ever looking, definitely get Marc as your property agent! He will not disappoint!

Melanie has been an amazing realtor, for us, we were looking for a special lot, and she offered us amazing options. She takes her time for her clients and gives good advice in this kind of decision. She knows the market very well. It has been the best experience ever so happy that I found her company and services.

Thank you Melanie and your amazing Team for helping us find the perfect Ocean View Villa and Casita for our Family. After a magical vacation in January, we knew we wanted more of the Pura Vida life! Thank you for sharing the joy and adventures of this spectacular place you call home. We appreciate all the work and detail management you, Ben, Jay and your Team helped us navigate, including great introductions to your Lawyer Gonzalo and Home Inspector especially with our long closing and purchasing from outside the country. It was like a dream come true when we opened the door to our house and saw the magnificent sunshine reflecting on the ocean over ...

After hearing stories about how long it could take for a home to sell in Costa Rica, we were a little skeptical when a friend referred Melanie from Flamingo Beach Realty. When we decided to use Melanie to sell our home, our friend told us to be prepared because our home will sell quickly. Well Melanie did not disappoint! The video she took of our home was gorgeous and no doubt a great selling tool. Melanie was pleasant to work with and we are so glad our friend referred her to us. I would absolutely recommend Melanie and Flamingo Beach Realty to anyone needing to sell or purchase a home in Costa Rica.

Mariela is simply wonderful! She showed us the property virtually, and she had a wealth of knowledge! Mariela is a lovely woman whom I would gladly do business with anytime! Highly recommend!

Melanie Engel and her team at Flamingo Beach Realty are experts in the Guanacaste market, especially in the beach areas (Playa Conchal, Tamarindo, Potrero, Playa Flamingo, Las Catalinas etc.). Melanie’s knowledge of the area was very evident from our first meeting. Throughout our search for a second home in paradise, Melanie was incredibly communicative. She promptly answered calls and emails, keeping us informed about every available listing. Melanie provided support way beyond just the transaction. When we purchased in a new development in Reserva Conchal, she kept us up to date on absolutely everything. She sent personalized videos from Costa Ric...

My husband and I worked with Melanie and her team first to find our (awesome) longterm rental in Reserva Conchal and now in looking at properties for purchase. We cannot say enough about Melanie and her team. They are responsive, resourceful and take a genuine “here to serve” approach. Melanie is a pleasure to work with, and we highly recommend her!

Melanie and her incredible team introduced us to our dream home on day 1! They gave us excellent guidance every step of the way, connecting us with highly competent legal resources and worked to ensure a seamless purchase process. After closing, Melanie and her team continued to give us guidance on navigating our new community, connecting us with a property manager, a locksmith and introducing us to the HOA. Melanie and her team listened to us as we described the property we are looking for and found it for us within a few hours! They are incredibly knowledgeable and competent. We are thrilled with our new home! They absolutely are a 5 star team!

Melanie and her team are great! I met her through a purchase where she represented the seller. She was so kind and informative throughout the process I felt like she was helping me just as much as the seller. After meeting with Melanie, it didn’t take long to feel confident she knew the Costa Rica market, to the point of where we contracted with her to help us sell one of our ocean view lots. She’s got high energy and a great vibe. The perfect combination in who you want on your team to buy and sell real estate in beautiful Costa Rica! I look forward to her helping me find more hidden gems soon!

Working with Melanie was a pleasure! She has sold us two properties and each experience was great! Melanie goes above and beyond! She was responsive, available and knowledgeable and has shared a list of vendors, restaurants and stores that will definitely be helpful in navigating the area. I would highly recommend Melanie to everyone!

Melanie, the owner of Flamingo Beach Realty, has helped us with multiple real estate deals in Guanacaste. We have been working with her for years, and she has always shown the outmost professionalism. She replies to questions instantly, knows her market through and through, and can be always relied on. She is also a great local resource. We 200% recommend working with Melanie and her team.

Melanie and her team and incredible to work with and they make moving to Costa Rica as easy as can be. Not only do they know the area extremely well, but they are also a one stop shop with the right connections, partnerships, and area recommendations to get everything going that you may need to make living in paradise stress free.

We had been toying with a purchase in Costa Rica over many years and looked at properties in different areas from time to time. Eventually we honed in on an area and decided it was about time - what were we waiting for! We spoke to Melanie and she put the wheels in motion. She jumped into action right out of the gate and drove immediately over and gave us a video tour of the place that is now ours. Melanie, your love and enthusiasm for your vocation and Costa Rica are a breath of fresh air. Service throughout the entire process was second to none up to and including the phone call minutes after our transaction closed.