1 / 14This expansive development parcel in the Tárcoles district of the Garabito canton offers a rare master-planned canvas for visionary investors looking to capture the Pacific Coast market. Priced at USD 2,950,000, this massive tract of land spans 654,425 square meters of pristine terrain, with matching construction potential across its entire footprint. The property features dual public road access, including 77 meters of direct frontage along the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Ruta 34, alongside access from Calle La Barca. Inside the gates, a gravel internal road network constructed between 2009 and 2011 connects the property's diverse topography. Two registered deep wells supply the acreage, which already hosts four existing homes that provide immediate rental income or resale options. The current master plan outlines 167 spacious lots, with 73 of those lots boasting confirmed views of the Pacific Ocean, the Tárcoles River, and the neighboring Carara National Park. Developers can easily update this planning to subdivide the land further into 300 to over 400 individual parcels. This zero-bedroom, zero-bathroom development land represents a secure fee-simple investment opportunity. Buyers should note that the annual property tax in Costa Rica is highly favorable, requiring approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value each year. Additional transaction costs include a transfer stamp tax of about 1.5 percent of the declared value, with total closing, registry, and notary fees generally averaging between two and four percent of the final purchase price.
Acquiring this expansive development parcel in Tárcoles is a highly secure transaction for North American investors. In Costa Rica, foreign buyers enjoy the same constitutional rights to land ownership as local citizens. Because this property sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you can secure it under fee simple ownership with a registered deed, ensuring absolute title protection.
Financially, the holding costs are remarkably favorable. The annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, calculated at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the property's officially registered cadastral value. When finalizing the acquisition, buyers should anticipate standard closing expenses—covering notary fees, legal services, registration, and transfer stamps—which typically range between two and four percent of the transaction price. Additionally, because the purchase price of this development tract far exceeds the national investment threshold, the transaction positions the buyer to qualify for Costa Rica's residency-by-investment program, streamlining your path to legal residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive development parcel in the Garabito canton, located within the scenic Tárcoles district, spans a massive 654,425 square meters of both land and construction area. Priced at USD 2,950,000, the property represents a premier investment opportunity with zero existing bedrooms, serving instead as a blank canvas for a master-planned gated community. The acreage features sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the Tárcoles River, and the neighboring Carara National Park.
Infrastructure already in place includes an internal network of gravel roads installed between 2009 and 2011, alongside two registered deep wells that secure vital water access. The property is bordered by Calle La Barca and the Pacific Coast Highway, providing 77 meters of direct highway frontage. Four existing homes are situated on the land, offering immediate rental income or resale potential while development plans are finalized.
Acquiring this real estate involves standard Costa Rican transaction costs. Buyers should budget for a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, with the total closing bundle—encompassing notary, registry, and legal fees—typically running between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are highly favorable, featuring an annual property tax rate of about one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Foreign investors enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, identical to those of local citizens.
This expansive development parcel is situated in Tárcoles, Garabito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a region highly sought after by North American buyers seeking to buy property in Costa Rica. Located along the central Pacific coast, this micro-location offers a unique transition zone where the dry forest of the north meets the humid rainforest of the south, resulting in a rich microclimate. The property sits directly adjacent to the famous Carara National Park and overlooks the Tárcoles River, providing an environment where residents can observe native scarlet macaws flying overhead and white-faced capuchin monkeys in the surrounding canopy.
For those looking at real estate Jaco Costa Rica, this location balances natural serenity with exceptional convenience. The bustling beach town of Jacó is just a short drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (Ruta 34), offering modern medical centers, supermarkets, and vibrant nightlife. Surfers and beach lovers will appreciate the close proximity to world-class surf breaks, making this an ideal alternative to standard Playa Hermosa homes for sale or typical beach property Jaco. Additionally, the property is highly accessible, situated less than an hour and a half from the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, allowing for seamless travel.
Garabito is part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, combining local agricultural heritage with high-end tourism. Investors looking to develop a master-planned community can capitalize on favorable national policies. Foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens for titled land. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly competitive; the annual municipal property tax is remarkably low, calculated at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. When completing the transaction, buyers should budget for closing costs—including notary fees, registration stamps, and legal duties—which typically range between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a transfer tax of approximately one and a half percent. This financial efficiency, combined with the potential for residency-by-investment, makes this coastal acreage a premier choice for a legacy development.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This massive 654,425-square-meter development parcel in Tárcoles presents a highly strategic entry point for institutional developers or private syndicates, priced at an incredibly competitive rate of under $5 per square meter. This pricing sits well below the averages found in neighboring Jacó and Los Sueños. Investors can leverage immediate cash flow through the four existing homes on the property, which are suited for long-term rentals or immediate resale while the master plan is executed. The property is ideally suited for a developer looking to capitalize on Costa Rica’s robust tourism and residency-by-investment market, with the option to execute the existing 167-lot master plan or subdivide further into over 400 lots.
From a holding-cost perspective, Costa Rica offers an exceptionally favorable tax environment. The annual property tax is remarkably low, hovering around just a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. When finalizing the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing bundle costs—encompassing notary, registry, and legal fees—ranging between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. With fee-simple ownership fully guaranteed for foreign buyers, this asset represents a secure, high-yield exit opportunity, whether through parcel-by-parcel retail sales or a wholesale flip of a fully permitted gated community.
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To understand the true value of this 162-acre parcel, one must understand the unique lifestyle and geographic prestige that defines the Tárcoles and Garabito region of Puntarenas. This is where the raw, untamed majesty of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast meets the sophisticated desires of international investors and high-end residents. Situated at the gateway of the famous Jacó and Los Sueños corridor, this location offers an unparalleled sensory experience. Imagine waking up to the sight of scarlet macaws soaring over the lush canopy of Carara National Park, while the morning sun glints off the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Tárcoles River. This region is a sanctuary for biodiversity, yet it remains remarkably accessible, bridging the gap between absolute natural seclusion and modern convenience. For the visionary buyer, this property represents more than just raw land; it is a blank canvas upon which to build a legacy destination that caters to the modern traveler's craving for wellness, adventure, and ecological luxury.
The modern affluent buyer does not merely seek a home; they seek an aspirational lifestyle defined by space, privacy, and connection to the natural world. This expansive tract of land perfectly aligns with those aspirations, offering the rare opportunity to curate a world-class gated community that harmonizes with its environment. Future residents will enjoy a lifestyle where they can spend their mornings hiking through private tropical trails, their afternoons navigating the world-class marina facilities of nearby Los Sueños, and their evenings watching the sun set directly into the Pacific Ocean from their custom-built terrace. By developing this property, you are answering the growing global demand for high-end, low-density coastal living where conservation and luxury coexist. This is an invitation to shape the future of Costa Rica's luxury real estate market, creating an exclusive enclave that captures the very essence of the "Pura Vida" spirit for generations to come.
Tárcoles, Garabito, Puntarenas
Garabito, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
