In most cases, beach front property is untitled property because in Costa Rica the ownership and possession of the shoreline is governed by the Maritime Zone Law (Ley Sobre la Zona Maritimo Terrestre) which restricts the possession and ownership of beach front property. By law the first 200 meters of beach front starting at the high tide markers is owned by the government. Of the 200 meters, the first 50 are deemed public zones and nobody may posses or control that area. On the remaining 150 meters the government through the local Municipal government will lease by way of concessions the land to private individuals. The Maritime Zone Law provides restrictions as to foreign ownership or possession of beach front property so a more through and careful study is always required when considering beach front property in Costa Rica.