1 / 44This expansive acreage in the Dominical region presents a rare development footprint, combining immediate highway access with the absolute seclusion of a private mountain retreat. Spanning 49,054 square meters of pristine terrain in Platanillo, just fifteen minutes from the coast, the property is offered at USD 183,000. The land is uniquely characterized by its multi-tiered topography, which naturally divides the acreage into three distinct, ready-to-build home sites. The lowest parcel borders the main highway to San Isidro, providing an ideal, highly accessible location for a primary residence or reception structure. Moving upward through the property, the second building site features a mature bamboo plantation and opens up to sweeping views of the valley. The third and largest parcel offers a expansive, cleared area bordered by a year-round running creek, creating an incredibly private setting for a luxury mountain estate.
Infrastructure is already established, with grid power and legal municipal water fully connected to the site. From a purchasing perspective, North American buyers enjoy fee simple ownership rights identical to Costa Rican citizens. When budgeting for this acquisition, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Additional closing costs—encompassing notary fees, registry fees, legal services, and stamps—typically bundle into an additional two to four percent of the final purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are remarkably low, with annual property taxes calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land.
Acquiring this Platanillo property is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this twelve-acre parcel sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you will hold absolute deeded ownership. During the transaction, expect total closing expenditures—encompassing legal fees, notary services, registry filings, and transfer stamps—to range between two and four percent of the purchase price. The transfer stamp tax itself accounts for roughly one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Once the purchase is complete, your ongoing carrying costs remain remarkably low, with annual property taxes calculated as a small fraction of the registered cadastral value. Additionally, while this specific lot is priced at $183,000, it positions you well on your way toward meeting the financial thresholds required for Costa Rica's residency-by-investment program, providing a secure path to establishing legal residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive Dominical acreage, priced at USD 183000, spans 49054 m² of versatile terrain in the quiet mountain town of Platanillo. The property features three distinct building sites, each offering unique natural characteristics. The first site borders the main highway leading to San Isidro, providing immediate access and convenience. Higher up the development, the second site features a mature bamboo plantation and elevated views of the surrounding valley. The third parcel offers a large, open clearing bordered by a year-round running creek, creating a private setting for a mountain home.
Practical infrastructure is already established on-site. Legal municipal water and electrical power are connected and ready for immediate construction. The property is surrounded by dense forest, where native species like the white-faced monkey can be observed in the canopy.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits full fee-simple property ownership. When purchasing this land, buyers should budget for closing costs, which typically range from two to four percent of the purchase price to cover notary fees, registration, and legal services. Additionally, a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value applies, alongside an annual property tax calculated from the registered cadastral value.
Situated in the tranquil mountain community of Platanillo, just a fifteen-minute drive from the world-class surf breaks of Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, this twelve-acre property offers an exceptional microclimate where cool highland breezes meet the warm Pacific coast. This specific region of the southern zone, known as the Costa Ballena, is highly sought after by North American buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica that balances raw natural beauty with convenient accessibility. Unlike the highly commercialized resort towns further north, the area surrounding Dominical remains a laid-back sanctuary where the dense tropical rainforest directly borders the ocean. Here, residents enjoy an authentic, uncrowded lifestyle, whether they are looking to establish a permanent retirement estate, cultivate an organic hobby farm, or build a collection of rental cabins for remote workers.
Living in Platanillo places you within easy reach of essential regional amenities. The nearby town center of Dominical provides organic markets, beachfront dining, and daily surf sessions, while the commercial hub of Uvita is just a short drive south, offering supermarkets, pharmacies, and private medical clinics. For comprehensive healthcare, a major regional hospital is located in the nearby city of San Isidro, accessible via the well-paved main highway that borders the front edge of this property.
Acquiring real estate Dominical Costa Rica is a straightforward process, as foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. When purchasing this property, buyers should anticipate standard transaction fees, which include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside a comprehensive closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Additionally, ownership of this land incurs a modest annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. This acreage represents one of the most versatile opportunities to secure property Uvita and Costa Ballena homes seekers covet, combining ready-to-build infrastructure with the peaceful security of mountain living.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 49,054-square-meter parcel in Platanillo presents a highly strategic entry point into the Dominical-Uvita corridor, where raw land of this scale is increasingly scarce. At a purchase price of $183,000, the property is valued at just under $3.73 per square meter. This represents an exceptionally low cost basis compared to the premium prices commanded by smaller, single-dwelling ocean-view lots nearby. The expansive acreage is ideal for a buyer looking to develop a multi-structure family compound or a boutique eco-retreat, utilizing the distinct building sites to construct a main estate alongside independent guest cabins.
From an investment perspective, the property offers versatile exit and monetization strategies. A buyer can develop the land to capture the high demand for short-term nature rentals, or subdivide the pre-cleared building sites for individual lot sales. Costa Rica permits full fee-simple ownership for foreign investors on this registered property, which sits outside the restrictive maritime concession zones. When structuring the acquisition, buyers should budget for standard transaction costs, which include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that typically bring the total closing bundle to between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are minimal, with annual municipal property taxes assessed at a low rate based on the registered cadastral value. With the seller highly motivated, this tract offers a rare combination of immediate utility, low carrying costs, and long-term capital appreciation potential.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in the highly sought-after corridor between the mountain hamlet of Platanillo and the legendary surf enclave of Dominical offers a lifestyle defined by an authentic connection to nature, wellness, and a relaxed, unhurried pace of life. Here, the day begins with the natural alarm clock of howler monkeys and the gentle rustle of the tropical breeze through the canopy, followed by a short, scenic drive down to the coast to catch the morning surf or stroll along the pristine, palm-fringed sands of the Pacific. This region has long captured the imagination of visionary buyers, creative entrepreneurs, and families seeking to escape the frantic pace of modern suburban life in favor of something deeply restorative. It is a place where you can spend your mornings cultivating your own organic gardens, harvesting fresh bamboo, or walking along your private, rushing creek, and your afternoons enjoying a world-class culinary scene, browsing vibrant artisan markets, or socializing with a diverse, welcoming community of global citizens.
For the discerning buyer, this twelve-acre estate represents more than just a sound land acquisition; it is a blank canvas for a life of intentional design and legacy building. Whether your aspiration is to construct a private multi-generational family compound where children can roam free through forested trails, to establish a boutique eco-wellness retreat that capitalizes on the growing global demand for mindful travel, or to simply build a sustainable, off-grid sanctuary surrounded by the rich biodiversity of Puntarenas, this property delivers the ultimate foundation. The seamless transition from the cool, crisp mountain air of Platanillo to the warm, energetic beach culture of Dominical ensures that you never have to choose between absolute privacy and modern convenience. This is where your dreams of a balanced, nature-centric lifestyle become a tangible, daily reality, offering an unparalleled opportunity to invest in your well-being, secure a piece of Costa Rica’s famous southern coast, and write your own chapter of tropical paradise.
Dominical, Puntarenas
Dominical, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
